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SEAPDX fare drops to $99. Just went to buy a ticket from SEA-PDX for business. I am used to paying $149 one way and it looks as though the new Y fare is
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Just went to buy a ticket from SEA-PDX for business. I am used to paying $149 one way and it looks as though the new Y fare is just $99!
This doesn't appear to be sale related. Hopefully the price sticks! Great news for those of us that fly between SEA & PDX.
It does appear from a few random date checks that the walk-up, refundable fare is now $99 each way. That's a pretty reasonable walk-up fare...even NorCal-SoCal routes on Southwest usually have refundable fares in the $120-$140 range, although granted, they are slightly longer flights. If you want to see eye-popping walk-up fares, just check any of the east coast shuttle routes!
... as it will be the "smallest" aircraft in the fleet, unless something else we don't know about is planned. You probably can't answer this, but is the fleet change going to result in any "we don't have aircraft small enough for your market anymore" scenarios?
There are a few markets that we've got our eye on. That's why were doing the low fare test in markets without Q400s as well. We need to see if we can stimulate the demand so we can measure what markets will continue to work in the long term.
Looks like YVR is included...here are the fares that were released.
http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/070827/20070827005360.html?.v=1
Portland to:
Bellingham $109 $139 $169
Billings $169 $189 $219
Bozeman $169 $189 $219
Butte $169 $189 $219
Eugene $49 $59 $79
Eureka/Arcata $109 $129 $159
Great Falls $169 $189 $219
Helena $169 $189 $219
Idaho Falls $139 $159 $189
Kalispell $139 $159 $189
Klamath Falls $79 $99 $129
Lewiston $79 $99 $129
Medford $79 $99 $129
Missoula $139 $159 $189
North Bend/Coos Bay $69 $89 $99
Pasco $69 $89 $99
Pendleton $69 $89 $99
Pullman $79 $99 $129
Redding $109 $129 $159
Redmond/Bend $49 $59 $79
Seattle $59 $79 $99
Vancouver $92 $114 $146
Victoria $114 $146-178 $221
Wenatchee $109 $139 $169
Yakima $109 $139 $169
Seattle to:
Bellingham $49 $59 $79
Billings $169 $189 $219
Bozeman $139 $159 $189
Butte $139 $159 $189
Eugene $79 $99 $129
Eureka/Arcata $139 $159 $189
Great Falls $139 $159 $189
Helena $139 $159 $189
Kalispell $109 $129 $159
Kelowna $92 $114 $146
Lewiston $79 $99 $129
Medford $109 $129 $159
Missoula $109 $129 $159
Pasco $69 $89 $99
Pendleton $69 $89 $99
Portland $59 $79 $99
Pullman $79 $99 $129
Redmond/Bend $79 $99 $129
Vancouver $71 $92 $103
Victoria $60 $71-92 $114
Walla Walla $69 $89 $99
Wenatchee $49 $59 $79
Yakima $49 $59 $79
These fares are permenant changes to the structure. They'll stay this low as long as we see the necessary change in demand to offset the the lower fares.
So fly as much as you can!
I just checked PDX-SEA-GEG for a few dates in September and found some $49 - $59 one-way fares. You can get PDX-GEG without stopping in SEA, but why do that when you can add two extra segments and 1,000 extra EQM to the trip by adding SEA!
This has been discussed here before, but since we're talking about larger aircraft and lower fares, I was wondering about PUW. The airport was recently upgraded so it could handle larger aircraft, and there was a rumor, (through word of mouth and the media) last year that AAG would have larger aircraft during the holidays into PUW, so that we didn't have to travel to GEG or SEA to depart. (More could fly out for cheaper). I was wondering if this still might be a viable plan. With the proper research and advertising, I'm sure the plane could fill up with people going to "the west side" for Christmas, Thanksgiving and Spring Break, if the price was right. And with the increasing cost of fuel, and congestion on I-90 and SR 26. I personally would rather fly an hour than drive 5, and I do. (Especially since I don't have a car.)
The fares were lowered to a respectable level (GEG was used as the proxy). If the demand on PUW takes off, then you'll see the Q400 sooner rather than later. However, it not, it will get there eventually.
Change fee is going to go up towards the end of September to 75.00 for reissues done thru the res centers. Subject to change but that is what we are hearing right now. They have substantially increased the amount of tickets that can be reissued on-line now. They have estimated about 80% of the tickets can now be reissued on line.
Cheap Airfare News: Airline articles for August 2007::
Continue reading: Horizon cuts fares on key shuttle route, SEA-PDX » .. Introductory fares start at $99 (not including taxes and additional airport
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Airliners.net Civil Aviation Discussions Search Page::
Air China announced To day in Sao Paulo that they will drop it's leg The first fares go on sale To night at 0001 WST and are $99 including taxes!
http://us.airliners.net/aviation-forums/general_aviation/search.main?search_table=general_aviation&search=Independence+Air+Fights+To+Stay+Alive&search_field=topic&search_type=any&starter=1&search_active=1HOME |
That's okay, IF your ticket can be reissued on-line. I would urge AS to make a rule that: if your ticket can't be exchanged on-line, the phone fee would only be $50. Fair is fair until ALL tickets can be exchanged on-line.
As a former airline employee, forgive me for being a bit sarcastic. However, this is what you just said, "These changes are PERMANENT...but only if we make enough money. Otherwise, they're TEMPORARY!":D
As for Southwest, they probably won't jump in because you just lowered the fares on the route. I doubt that 32 "expensive-to-operate", high-fare QX flights truly frighten them. Honestly, Southwest is running out of markets in which to operate their planes. So, SEA-PDX may look lucrative to them -- at the higher fare levels.
Out of all due respect, our trip costs on the Q400 are much lower than the trip costs of a 737 flying between PDX-SEA. We already operate head to head in markets that have much larger market sizes. For example, we fly (in conjunction with AS) 16 trips between GEG-SEA. If they weren't frightened by 11 'expensive to operate' QX flights in that market, then why haven't they increased frequency (instead of pulling back). Same applies in BOI-SEA.
The local PDX-SEA market is a strong business market, and no, WN will not be able to compete with flights every half hour, just like AS can't pull off flying I Cal with limited frequency in a WN high frequency market (ala SAN).
Isn't the flight distance between SEA and PDX short enough that a mainline jet wouldn't "work" so well? I thought that one of the big advantages of turboprops on short runs (SEA-PDX or LAX-SAN) was that they didn't have to waste fuel on a high climb and long descent.
Is there any truth to that line of thinking?
Great news. I usually have last minute travel to PDX. $358 RT.
I heard something about more 400s on this and the Spokane flight leading to lower fares.
I'm for one glad that QX is implementing these changes.
I do have one question from the article, with a possible change in QX/AS on change fees...
Is this a possible increase in change fees from them, or a typo, or specific to these fares only?
Airliners.net forum: RUMOR: AA (Eagle) May Drop SJC::
Does this mean Eagle is going to drop their ERJ flying out in California? AA 's SJC fares are consistently and significantly lower than SFO by at
http://images.airliners.net/aviation-forums/general_aviation/print.main?id=3544332HOME |
Easier To Find Lowest Fares On WN — Civil Aviation Forum ::
I wish other airlines would do this, rather than display one fare at a time, la WN ) for only $99!" and immediately drop everything and book a trip? NO!
http://cdn-www.airliners.net/aviation-forums/general_aviation/read.main/1980774/HOME |
Thanks
Change fee is going to go up towards the end of September to 75.00 for reissues done thru the res centers. Subject to change but that is what we are hearing right now. They have substantially increased the amount of tickets that can be reissued on-line now. They have estimated about 80% of the tickets can now be reissued on line.
Isn't the flight distance between SEA and PDX short enough that a mainline jet wouldn't "work" so well? I thought that one of the big advantages of turboprops on short runs (SEA-PDX or LAX-SAN) was that they didn't have to waste fuel on a high climb and long descent.
Is there any truth to that line of thinking?
Exactly right ^
Something definitely is going on, if its not a sale, *maybe* QX is reducing their "sky high" fares. Several days ago, a rt PUW-SEA was around 277, and sure enough, now is listed at 175. I wanted to see if the ANC-SEA dropped, but still at the norm 412. So, from the flights that affect me, QX is the only ones changing their prices, hopefully for good. Maybe it is QX systemwide?
Excellent. This may work to my advantage. I need to get a vehicle from my parents' place in E. WA. I was going to rent locally, but if for the same price I can fly there, pick up the truck, use it, and return several days later then fly back home, well, DUH...that's a no brainer!
AS/QX may be doing a pre-emptive strike against Southwest. Southwest is getting a lot of new planes over the next few years. What would prevent them from throwing an airplane on the SEA-PDX run? They could charge full fare of, say, $119 with further discounts for advance purchase. It could be potentially very lucrative for Southwest. So, perhaps AS/QX is guarding against that possibility???
You probably can't answer this, but is the fleet change going to result in any "we don't have aircraft small enough for your market anymore" scenarios?
We're certainly concerned about that in Wenatchee. Although there are plans to extend the runway at EAT, Horizon wants to use the Q400 before the runway expansion will even get started. In ideal conditions the Q200 can use the current runway, but anything other than ideal conditions will seriously limit ability of the larger plane to use the airport. (We have exclusively Q200s flying into Wenatchee now.)
Hey jwright, thank you for the assist! ^
I'm for one glad that QX is implementing these changes.
I do have one question from the article, with a possible change in QX/AS on change fees...
Tickets are non-refundable, but can be changed for a $50 fee when changed online at www.horizonair.com or www.alaskaair.com ($75 through an Alaska or Horizon reservations call center or ticket counter) and any applicable changes in fares.
Is this a possible increase in change fees from them, or a typo, or specific to these fares only?
Thanks
I apparently didn't make myself clear. I didn't mean one flight per day; I meant one plane doing roundtrips all day long (say 5 or 6 flights per day in each direction). With the exhorbitant fares that QX has been charging, I've often wondered why Southwest didn't do that.
Exhorbitant...but necessary. We didn't have the capacity to support lower fares. With a larger plane we can finally pass on some savings (in the same fashion that WN can). However, with 32 flights a day, I think WN would think long and hard about jumping into this market. Even with a stimulated marketsize based on WN's entry into a new market, it isn't a winning proposition for them.
AS/QX may be doing a pre-emptive strike against Southwest. Southwest is getting a lot of new planes over the next few years. What would prevent them from throwing an airplane on the SEA-PDX run? They could charge full fare of, say, $119 with further discounts for advance purchase. It could be potentially very lucrative for Southwest. So, perhaps AS/QX is guarding against that possibility???
I think it would take more than one SWA 737 flying R/T SEA-PDX to make a dent in AS/QX frequencies but agree the lower fare may stimulate demand. I'd like to see the same thing on SEA-YVR. Until then, I'll continue to drive.
^ Great Move QX!!
$59 two week advance purchase on this route will definitely entice me to visit Seattle more frequently by air versus a drive up I-5...
Though I'd still like to see improvement in their on-time departures, delays/cancellations and baggage handling; I waited 2 hours for a bag that didn't make it on my flight at PDX yesterday.
I think it would take more than one SWA 737 flying R/T SEA-PDX to make a dent in AS/QX frequencies but agree the lower fare may stimulate demand. I'd like to see the same thing on SEA-YVR. Until then, I'll continue to drive.
I apparently didn't make myself clear. I didn't mean one flight per day; I meant one plane doing roundtrips all day long (say 5 or 6 flights per day in each direction). With the exhorbitant fares that QX has been charging, I've often wondered why Southwest didn't do that.
This has been discussed here before, but since we're talking about larger aircraft and lower fares, I was wondering about PUW. The airport was recently upgraded so it could handle larger aircraft, and there was a rumor, (through word of mouth and the media) last year that AAG would have larger aircraft during the holidays into PUW, so that we didn't have to travel to GEG or SEA to depart. (More could fly out for cheaper). I was wondering if this still might be a viable plan. With the proper research and advertising, I'm sure the plane could fill up with people going to "the west side" for Christmas, Thanksgiving and Spring Break, if the price was right. And with the increasing cost of fuel, and congestion on I-90 and SR 26. I personally would rather fly an hour than drive 5, and I do. (Especially since I don't have a car.)
Thank you eagle eyed FTers. I was looking for that kind of deal from home to add on to our Africa trip in April-May from SEA-TNR-JNB-SEA. You guys are the best. Nice deal and almost every time was available.
:cool:
These fares are permenant changes to the structure. They'll stay this low as long as we see the necessary change in demand to offset the the lower fares.
So fly as much as you can!
As a former airline employee, forgive me for being a bit sarcastic. However, this is what you just said, "These changes are PERMANENT...but only if we make enough money. Otherwise, they're TEMPORARY!":D
As for Southwest, they probably won't jump in because you just lowered the fares on the route. I doubt that 32 "expensive-to-operate", high-fare QX flights truly frighten them. Honestly, Southwest is running out of markets in which to operate their planes. So, SEA-PDX may look lucrative to them -- at the higher fare levels.
IIRC, QX announced that they were dropping fares by as much as 50% on a permanent basis on short hops in the Pacific Northwest. I'll try to find some documentation...
This press release (http://www.alaskasworld.com/Newsroom/QXNews/QXstories/QX_20070706_134005.asp) doesn't specifically talk about SEA-PDX, but it does mention other city pairs for which the fares have been reduced.
The fares were lowered to a respectable level (GEG was used as the proxy). If the demand on PUW takes off, then you'll see the Q400 sooner rather than later. However, it not, it will get there eventually. ... as it will be the "smallest" aircraft in the fleet, unless something else we don't know about is planned. You probably can't answer this, but is the fleet change going to result in any "we don't have aircraft small enough for your market anymore" scenarios?
Full fare SEA-GEG fares still appear to be at the $123 o/w level. Checked Sept, Oct, Nov......
I think it would take more than one SWA 737 flying R/T SEA-PDX to make a dent in AS/QX frequencies but agree the lower fare may stimulate demand. I'd like to see the same thing on SEA-YVR. Until then, I'll continue to drive.
Looks like YVR is included...here are the fares that were released.
http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/070827/20070827005360.html?.v=1
Portland to:
Bellingham $109 $139 $169
Billings $169 $189 $219
Bozeman $169 $189 $219
Butte $169 $189 $219
Eugene $49 $59 $79
Eureka/Arcata $109 $129 $159
Great Falls $169 $189 $219
Helena $169 $189 $219
Idaho Falls $139 $159 $189
Kalispell $139 $159 $189
Klamath Falls $79 $99 $129
Lewiston $79 $99 $129
Medford $79 $99 $129
Missoula $139 $159 $189
North Bend/Coos Bay $69 $89 $99
Pasco $69 $89 $99
Pendleton $69 $89 $99
Pullman $79 $99 $129
Redding $109 $129 $159
Redmond/Bend $49 $59 $79
Seattle $59 $79 $99
Vancouver $92 $114 $146
Victoria $114 $146-178 $221
Wenatchee $109 $139 $169
Yakima $109 $139 $169
Seattle to:
Bellingham $49 $59 $79
Billings $169 $189 $219
Bozeman $139 $159 $189
Butte $139 $159 $189
Eugene $79 $99 $129
Eureka/Arcata $139 $159 $189
Great Falls $139 $159 $189
Helena $139 $159 $189
Kalispell $109 $129 $159
Kelowna $92 $114 $146
Lewiston $79 $99 $129
Medford $109 $129 $159
Missoula $109 $129 $159
Pasco $69 $89 $99
Pendleton $69 $89 $99
Portland $59 $79 $99
Pullman $79 $99 $129
Redmond/Bend $79 $99 $129
Vancouver $71 $92 $103
Victoria $60 $71-92 $114
Walla Walla $69 $89 $99
Wenatchee $49 $59 $79
Yakima $49 $59 $79
These lower fares sure are nice. I noticed the change on the GTF-PDX fare a few days ago, and then saw a "we lowered our prices!" ad in the Great Falls Tribune yesterday. The airfares out here in MT are quite high, so any change is welcome.
So, you really expect us to believe that QX is simply being benevolent here. No, QX is in business to make money. If the lower fares make more money, they will stick. Otherwise, they will go away VERY quickly. Yes, you have more seats with the Q400's so prices can come down a bit -- ONLY if they stimulate additional demand. In other words, you are expecting people to make additional trips and/or fly instead of drive.
Bottom line: it's all about money. The fares will go away if sufficient additional demand doesn't materialize. Benevolence does not enter the equation here.
You are totally right...it is all about money. We need to fill the incremental seats, the Q400 is still a bit more pricey than the Q200, however, we wanted to test the sensitivity of the market in terms of demand. The Q400 has the economics that allows us to be benevolent. But in the end, you are right, if you don't use it...then your going to lose it. We're fairly confident we'll see the 'use it' that's why we did it.
Out of all due respect, our trip costs on the Q400 are much lower than the trip costs of a 737 flying between PDX-SEA. We already operate head to head in markets that have much larger market sizes. For example, we fly (in conjunction with AS) 16 trips between GEG-SEA. If they weren't frightened by 11 'expensive to operate' QX flights in that market, then why haven't they increased frequency (instead of pulling back). Same applies in BOI-SEA.
The local PDX-SEA market is a strong business market, and no, WN will not be able to compete with flights every half hour, just like AS can't pull off flying I Cal with limited frequency in a WN high frequency market (ala SAN).
So, you really expect us to believe that QX is simply being benevolent here. No, QX is in business to make money. If the lower fares make more money, they will stick. Otherwise, they will go away VERY quickly. Yes, you have more seats with the Q400's so prices can come down a bit -- ONLY if they stimulate additional demand. In other words, you are expecting people to make additional trips and/or fly instead of drive.
Bottom line: it's all about money. The fares will go away if sufficient additional demand doesn't materialize. Benevolence does not enter the equation here.
 Nobody understands...any help please?
 50 points for someone willing to do this!!!!!!!!!!?
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SEAPDX fare drops to $99