Northeast Air Shuttles Adapt to Industry Changes

[Matt Molnar]

Interesting piece from the Times:

The Air Shuttles to Boston and Washington Endure Industry’s Changes

By BARBARA S. PETERSON
Published: March 4, 2008

The Delta and US Airways shuttles from New York to Boston and Washington are the archetypal power flights, relied upon by politicians, Wall Street executives and other business travelers for their hourly service and privileged ambience.

But in the last few years, security lines, delays and the end of the guaranteed-seat policy have undermined the shuttles’ basic formula, which long depended on a dedicated fleet and quick airport turnarounds to deliver more reliable service than on the major airlines’ hub-and-spoke networks.

“There was a time when the shuttle routes were the busiest markets in the country,” said Joe Brancatelli, who runs a business travel Web site, joesentme.com. “But the shuttle’s moment, and it was a glorious moment, may have passed.”

Airline executives acknowledge that today’s shuttle is a far cry from the service pioneered by Eastern Airlines in 1961, when passengers could waltz up to the gate without a reservation minutes before takeoff.

Eastern also guaranteed a seat to anyone who showed up on time, even if it meant rolling out an extra plane. [Full Article]

[stuart schechter]

Don't you wish the airlines would roll out an extra plane if one flight was waaay oversold. That would be pretty damn cool.

[LGA777]

As recently as the late 90's US still had back up planes on the Shuttle, often two 727's each crewed where on standby at all 3 Shuttle cities. At LGA on certain weekday afternoons there where days we knew we would need at least one extra section (often two) to BOS. Because many passengers did not make reservations the bookings where not always that useful a tool in gauging when to set up and extra flight. Instead it was based on check-in, the 72's held 164 and if 140 where checked in about 30 mins before departure we would usally get the ball rolling. Often times the on the hour departure would be pushed 15 mins or so early with empty seats knowing that without the extra section by on the hour at least 20 people would not have seats and it would be full. The extra sections often had less than 100 paxs onboard but because of the gurantee the Shuttle was still very, very profitable. Even after the 727's left and most flights where operated by 150 seat A-320's there was usually 1 A-319 (124 seats) on stanby with a crew. But many times by then instead of a back up they would run a regular departure when the 320 was very late inbound to save a 30-45 delay, as on time on the Shuttle was critical.

BTW was my first trip on the Shuttle was in either 1986 or 1987 on an all coach EA A-300 from LGA-BOS. With all tickets either sold or collected on board by flight attendents, a unique feature of the Shuttle for many years.

Regards

LGA777