Spirit announces RDU service to seven destinations

BTVB6Flyer · Mon Jan 14, 2019 11:12 pm

INTL I would assume...BA? Condor?

Per their Twitter:

Psst. We’re making a BIG air service announcement tomorrow at 10 a.m. Now accepting your guesses in GIF format.

We’ll livestream tomorrow’s air service announcement via Facebook Live. You’re following us there, right?

https://twitter.com/RDUAirport/status/1 ... 0293083136

FA9295 · Mon Jan 14, 2019 11:24 pm

Let's just hope it's not even more Frontier shenanigans.

Jshank83 · Mon Jan 14, 2019 11:25 pm

FA9295 wrote:
Let's just hope it's not even more Frontier shenanigans.

This was the first thing I thought of when I saw they were having an announcement.

FA9295 · Mon Jan 14, 2019 11:27 pm

In all seriousness though, I'm guessing an announcement from Spirit.

BTVB6Flyer · Mon Jan 14, 2019 11:28 pm

Have they lived stream a domestic announcement before? Have they done it for F9? Only reason I assumed it would be INTL.

VS4ever · Mon Jan 14, 2019 11:31 pm

Psst. We’re making a BIG air service announcement.....

Has to be EK on a 380 to DXB right? that's BIG... but alas yes, probably F9..

Rafale9312 · Mon Jan 14, 2019 11:33 pm

I've heard a United Club was coming, according to some other posts on this forum. I'm guessing this is the announcement for that.

Wild card, but maybe RDU has secured a flight to China quicker than previously thought.

Fargo · Mon Jan 14, 2019 11:37 pm

WS to YYC?

FLYKTPA · Mon Jan 14, 2019 11:39 pm

Frontier just announced new RDU routes a week ago.... why have another announcement when you can just announce it all at once? I’m confident it’s not Frontier.

Midwestindy · Mon Jan 14, 2019 11:43 pm

I posted this in the other thread, but it's likely too late in the season for European Announcements, unless it starts outside of summer.

It is more than likely NK, or service from AS/G4/B6/SY, those are the carriers to expect considering they tend to have midweek announcements. I didn't include F9 since they had an announcement last week.

DL has its investor call tomorrow, so they won't have announcements tomorrow, and UA/AA announce new routes on Fridays and sometimes Thursdays

Maybe more UA service because of the new club, but I doubt it

FA9295 · Mon Jan 14, 2019 11:52 pm

My guesses are either Spirit to MCO and LAS, or AS to SAN, and PDX being a long-shot.

If it's FRA, it would probably be flown by Lufthansa, not United.

jetsetterusa · Mon Jan 14, 2019 11:56 pm

TUL is going to make an announcement as well so my guess is F9 as well but thats not BIG imo! So who knows!

SRQKEF · Mon Jan 14, 2019 11:58 pm

Midwestindy wrote:
I posted this in the other thread, but it's likely too late in the season for European Announcements, unless it starts outside of summer.

It is more than likely NK, or service from AS/G4/B6/SY, those are the carriers to expect considering they tend to have midweek announcements. I didn't include F9 since they had an announcement last week.

DL has its investor call tomorrow, so they won't have announcements tomorrow, and UA/AA announce new routes on Fridays and sometimes Thursdays

Maybe more UA service because of the new club, but I doubt it

Well, I'd love for it to be FI, especially given that they've previously stated they'd like to grow by up to 35% this year and haven't announced any new routes yet. Also, it'd be a perfect route for the MAX. However, given their restructuring on the North American part of their network I unfortunately find it unlikely. Fingers crossed though!

regards!
Sveinn

CanesFan · Mon Jan 14, 2019 11:58 pm

Maybe Allegiant adding a few cities?

FA9295 · Mon Jan 14, 2019 11:59 pm

Also, Sun Country announces routes on Tuesdays--but unlikely given that their recent expansion was announced just a week ago.

Fargo · Tue Jan 15, 2019 12:01 am

I highly doubt it's European service because

A. As Midwestindy alluded to, this isn't the time of year when new TATL service is announced

B. With the possible exception of DL to AMS, RDU isn't big enough for additional European service yet

jplatts · Tue Jan 15, 2019 12:05 am

CanesFan wrote:
Maybe Allegiant adding a few cities?

jetsetterusa wrote:
TUL is going to make an announcement as well so my guess is F9 as well but thats not BIG imo! So who knows!

Tomorrow's announcement might possibly be G4 announcing new routes out of RDU since G4 already serves both RDU and TUL.

Another possibility is AS announcing SEA-TUL nonstop service along with nonstop service to PDX, LAX, and/or SAN out of RDU.

ncflyer · Tue Jan 15, 2019 12:08 am

Isn’t “big” likeky to be a reference to the big easy?

FA9295 · Tue Jan 15, 2019 12:09 am

jetsetterusa wrote:
TUL is going to make an announcement as well so my guess is F9 as well but thats not BIG imo! So who knows!

jplatts wrote:
Another possibility is AS announcing SEA-TUL nonstop service along with nonstop service to PDX, LAX, and/or SAN out of RDU.

Was just about to say that SEA-TUL is likely that route announcement. I can't find the website link right now, but I remember that sometime in 2018, TUL was given $750,000 in incentive money to persuade AS to start SEA-TUL nonstop. If the TUL and RDU announcements are somehow coordinated, then I think this will be AS SAN-RDU and AS SEA-TUL.

As much as I'd like to see PDX-RDU, I just don't see it happening yet.

Edit: Here's that link: https://www.tulsaworld.com/business-qui ... 94f66.html

Jshank83 · Tue Jan 15, 2019 12:15 am

Seeing it is air service I doubt it is a club announcement.

ScrantonUSC · Tue Jan 15, 2019 12:19 am

More than likely something like daily SAN or PDX on a legit airline. Outside chance Mexico City? Longshot, but not out of the realm of possibility would be another TATL from a Star Alliance member. The proposed lounge at RDU is a head scratcher for me.

mtnwest1979 · Tue Jan 15, 2019 12:32 am

Nonstop to a Bahamian lolovati is my guess.

cessna2 · Tue Jan 15, 2019 12:51 am

DL-->AMS
UA-->FRA
AS/DL-->SAN
Those are my bets. I guess we'll find out tomorrow!

N292UX · Tue Jan 15, 2019 1:05 am

I'm fully prepared for some F9 dartboard routes...

kavok · Tue Jan 15, 2019 1:11 am

Will it be a “historic” announcement? If so, it will probably be a UA addition.

rajincajun01 · Tue Jan 15, 2019 1:15 am

kavok wrote:
Will it be a “historic” announcement? If so, it will probably be a UA addition.

The long awaited SE UA hub! :duck:

TTailedTiger · Tue Jan 15, 2019 1:22 am

Midwestindy wrote:
I posted this in the other thread, but it's likely too late in the season for European Announcements, unless it starts outside of summer.

It is more than likely NK, or service from AS/G4/B6/SY, those are the carriers to expect considering they tend to have midweek announcements. I didn't include F9 since they had an announcement last week.

DL has its investor call tomorrow, so they won't have announcements tomorrow, and UA/AA announce new routes on Fridays and sometimes Thursdays

Maybe more UA service because of the new club, but I doubt it

RDU wouldn't be the worst choice for a United hub in the southeast. Delta's handful of rj routes wouldn't be any obstacle.

msycajun · Tue Jan 15, 2019 1:23 am

I think having a big livestreamed announcement limits it somewhat. I can't imagine that for an AS PDX or SAN route. My guesses would be
LH to FRA
Significant DL expansion, possibly including MEX. I could see them trying to push AA off LHR before AMS
Entrance of NK with several routes
G4 major expansion/small base
Something to Asia

F9 doesn't usually do press events, unless it is something like a crew base, so maybe that's a possibility.

globalflyer · Tue Jan 15, 2019 1:26 am

It's not F9... I am almost positive it is NK.

DLBlueDevil · Tue Jan 15, 2019 1:38 am

I think folks are missing the connection: 'BIG' = Spirit, home of the 'Big' front seats.

kotoka · Tue Jan 15, 2019 1:40 am

Has to be Spirit. All their recent press releases have happened at 10am ET.

alasizon · Tue Jan 15, 2019 1:48 am

Was there ever an official announcement for AA's PHX-RDU? It's been OFS for a handful of weeks now but I'm wondering if maybe they are finally announcing it.

Noise · Tue Jan 15, 2019 1:55 am

If it's being livestreamed, I would have to say it's international.

In that case, my guesses are as follows:
LH to FRA
DL or KL to AMS
AM to MEX

ERJ170 · Tue Jan 15, 2019 1:57 am

Copa to Panama to go with the United Club?

steeler83 · Tue Jan 15, 2019 2:15 am

My guess would be something International. When they announced BA launching LHR-PIT, that announcement was livestreamed. Then again, don't they launch transatlantic flights in the fall?

BTVB6Flyer · Tue Jan 15, 2019 2:15 am

In terms of clue(s), I think it's the responses in GIF form...how many cities are there that are in GIF form? And if there are cities they are probably decent sized metro(s)/hubs.

ncflyer · Tue Jan 15, 2019 2:20 am

People are overthinking this in my opinion. You don’t capitalize BIGlike that without a reason. I said MSY Big Easy but I like the Spirit guesses even more. Any more puns on BIG? Tom Hanks anyone?

jayunited · Tue Jan 15, 2019 2:22 am

Rafale9312 wrote:
I've heard a United Club was coming, according to some other posts on this forum. I'm guessing this is the announcement for that.

Wild card, but maybe RDU has secured a flight to China quicker than previously thought.

I don't think a flight to China will happen any time soon. As far as the UA club I've been noticing UA has been attracting more premium passengers in RDU that are connecting to our Asia flights out of SFO. One destination in particular that see's premium passengers almost daily from RDU is SIN. I'm not sure if UA has secured a corporate contract with a company or companies based in the Raleigh/Durham and/or surrounding areas but we are seeing premium passengers connect to our SIN flights that are starting or ending their journey at RDU. I think this is the reason why UA is now planning to open a United Club at this airport because we need a place for these premium passengers to relax prior to their flight.

As far as the big announcement I don't think it has anything to do with UA. If it is a new international destination it will be to Europe and the only domestic airline I see adding a international destination from RDU would be DL to AMS, a European carrier would be LH to FRA or KL to AMS.

maverick4002 · Tue Jan 15, 2019 2:31 am

BTVB6Flyer wrote:
In terms of clue(s), I think it's the responses in GIF form...how many cities are there that are in GIF form? And if there are cities they are probably decent sized metro(s)/hubs.

A GIF is literally a moving picture. You search practically any city and you will get a GIF. I doubt that was a clue, or that was the clue to be more specific. Maybe the city the GIF was developed in?

Dominion301 · Tue Jan 15, 2019 2:42 am

I’m guessing it’s Spirit as the NK website is going be down between 02:30 and 03:30 Tuesday morning.

Probably uploading a bunch of new routes and at least 1 new city.

SANFan · Tue Jan 15, 2019 2:43 am

I'm doubtful about an AS announcement. They almost always announce their new routes on Wednesdays or Thursday, usually early in the morning Pacific time.

Therefore, my guess would be Spirit (and I'd fall off my chair if they announce a route to SAN. But when I got off the floor, I'd be quite happy!)

bb

AVLAirlineFreq · Tue Jan 15, 2019 2:43 am

My bet is either NK entering the market or a significant G4 expansion.

Rafale9312 · Tue Jan 15, 2019 2:52 am

jayunited wrote:
Rafale9312 wrote:
I've heard a United Club was coming, according to some other posts on this forum. I'm guessing this is the announcement for that.

Wild card, but maybe RDU has secured a flight to China quicker than previously thought.

I don't think a flight to China will happen any time soon. As far as the UA club I've been noticing UA has been attracting more premium passengers in RDU that are connecting to our Asia flights out of SFO. One destination in particular that see's premium passengers almost daily from RDU is SIN. I'm not sure if UA has secured a corporate contract with a company or companies based in the Raleigh/Durham and/or surrounding areas but we are seeing premium passengers connect to our SIN flights that are starting or ending their journey at RDU. I think this is the reason why UA is now planning to open a United Club at this airport because we need a place for these premium passengers to relax prior to their flight.

As far as the big announcement I don't think it has anything to do with UA. If it is a new international destination it will be to Europe and the only domestic airline I see adding a international destination from RDU would be DL to AMS, a European carrier would be LH to FRA or KL to AMS.

The passengers connecting for SIN are probably Lenovo-related as they have a sizeable presence in Singapore along with their Raleigh/Durham and Beijing main campuses, and opening a United Club at RDU to cater them and the other corporate passengers flying UA makes sense. I do also agree that it is too soon to have an announcement for China service, but I threw that scenario in as a wildcard because that is among the top priority list of destinations that the RDU Airport Authority wants to secure in the next 5-10 years.

Runway28L wrote:
Haven’t the last several “big” announcements by airports or airlines recently been very underwhelming?

I wouldn’t be surprised if this ends up being much less exciting.

In the back of my mind, I'm thinking that this will be the case. I hope it's not true though.

Runway28L · Tue Jan 15, 2019 2:54 am

Haven’t the last several “big” announcements by airports or airlines recently been very underwhelming?

I wouldn’t be surprised if this ends up being much less exciting.

flyjoe · Tue Jan 15, 2019 3:03 am

Rafale9312 wrote:
The passengers connecting for SIN are probably Lenovo-related as they have a sizeable presence in Singapore along with their Raleigh/Durham and Beijing main campuses

I know of a couple of companies based in the Greensboro area that travel to SIN and drive to RDU to shorten travel time, the same way they’ll drove to CLT to catch nonstops to Europe.

Runway28L · Tue Jan 15, 2019 3:05 am

And FWIW, TUL also has a service announcement planned.

https://twitter.com/tulsaairports/statu ... 55462?s=21

joeblow10 · Tue Jan 15, 2019 3:09 am

Runway28L wrote:
And FWIW, TUL also has a service announcement planned.

https://twitter.com/tulsaairports/statu ... 55462?s=21

Is it a coincidence TUL is also branding it as “BIG” on their Twitter?

NK into RDU seems obvious especially after the F9 adds - TUL not so much...

BTVB6Flyer · Tue Jan 15, 2019 3:21 am

maverick4002 wrote:
BTVB6Flyer wrote:
In terms of clue(s), I think it's the responses in GIF form...how many cities are there that are in GIF form? And if there are cities they are probably decent sized metro(s)/hubs.

A GIF is literally a moving picture. You search practically any city and you will get a GIF. I doubt that was a clue, or that was the clue to be more specific. Maybe the city the GIF was developed in?

My thinking was, you don't usually find many 'GIF's' of cities or destinations. If they are asking you to reply as GIF to guess, that doesn't make sense to just reply with a SpongeBob GIF or any other non city/airline related GIF. You GIF London, Paris you find a lot of GIF's....you look for the same for other cities, much harder to find.

Or I'm looking too much into the GIF thing but an odd request to reply as a guess.

hOMSaR · Tue Jan 15, 2019 3:22 am

WN to HNL, you heard it here first.

RWA380 · Tue Jan 15, 2019 3:26 am

SANFan wrote:
I'm doubtful about an AS announcement. They almost always announce their new routes on Wednesdays or Thursday, usually early in the morning Pacific time.

Therefore, my guess would be Spirit (and I'd fall off my chair if they announce a route to SAN. But when I got off the floor, I'd be quite happy!)

bb

The real thirsty posters here know what time AS.com releases it’s dailies. The new posts come about 5 minutes later.

I can only hope you are correct about NK, I think the phrase “big announcement” is used far too freely with these things. Livestream is just an online connection & not really that big of a deal is it?

AS has just two flights a day at RDU currently & I was going use some employee passes to go there, but the loads are tight to/from SEA. And TUL is certainly on the AS radar with their E-175’s.

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