Air China Expands its U.S. Network – Services to Washington Starts in June; Houston becomes daily

by: Siva Vayali - March 26th, 2014   Filed under: Airlines, Airports 2 Comments

Air China (CA) has announced firm dates for its Beijing (PEK) – Washington Dulles (IAD) service. The airlines application has been approved by the U.S. Department of Transportation recently. The four-times weekly service will start on June 10, 2014 with Boeing 777-300 ER. In addition to the large O&D market offered by the Washington-Baltimore area, Air China would get ample connection opportunities using the route operated by its Star Alliance partner United Airlines (UA). A mid afternoon arrival at Washington is timed to connect passengers to destinations throughout the East Coast on United’s extensive route network from Dulles. United Airlines already operates a daily IAD-PEK service.

Houston service goes daily

Staring March 30, 2014, Air China will also increase its frequency on the Beijing – Houston (IAH) route from four times a week to daily. The expansion comes within eight months of launching the service to Houston, indicating strong demand.

Covering all bases

With these new and additional flights to Beijing, Air China will serve all Star Alliance hubs in North America, except Denver, either using its own metal or through an alliance partner.

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Together, Air China, United Airlines and Air Canada will command a 75% share in the important North America to Beijing market. With extensive route network from their hubs, the alliance can connect any two destinations between China and North America.

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More long distance flights to Washington Reagan National – American to LAX and Delta to SLC

by: Siva Vayali - February 29th, 2012   Filed under: Airlines, Airports 5 Comments

The effects of the recently passed Federal Aviation Administration Reauthorization bill are already showing some positive signs for Washington’s Ronald Reagan National Airport (DCA). American and Delta announced new flights to the airport.

American Airlines yesterday announced a daily flight between Reagan National and Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) staring June 14, 2012. The flights will be operated by a 757 configured in two classes with 22 seats in First and 166 seats in Main Cabin. The route is already served by another daily non-stop from Alaska Airlines. The Los Angeles to Washington region flights are dominated by United Airlines with up to eight daily frequencies to between its hubs in LAX and Dulles and a daily flight between LAX and BWI. It has no flights between LAX and Reagan National. American operates up to three daily flights between LAX and Dulles. It would be interesting to see how United would respond to American’s new flight between LAX and Reagan National.

Starting June 7, 2012, Delta will be adding a second daily frequency between Reagan National and Salt Lake City (SLC). Though I haven’t seen a press release yet from Delta on this, I confirmed the news from its corporate communications office. This shows strong demand for the DCA-SLC route and Delta’s desire to lock in its status as the preferred airline between Salt Lake City and the National Capital Region. Delta already operates services from its Salt Lake City hub to all three airports in the Washington Baltimore Metro area: once daily to both Dulles and Reagan National and twice daily BWI. United operates a single daily frequency between Dulles and Salt Lake City. So does Southwest between BWI and Salt Lake City. With the addition of the second flight to SLC from Reagan National, Delta will reinforce its share between these sectors.

Reagan National Airport’s traffic is mostly O&D. The slots to the close-in, capacity constrained airport are strictly controlled by FAA and command a premium. The airport has set a passenger record for 2011 and this year will be another breakout year for many reasons: the recent slot-swap deal between Delta and US Airways would allow the latter to increase the service at the airport starting March 25; JetBlue announced additional frequencies to Boston Logan (BOS), Fort Lauderdale (FLL), Orlando (MCO) and new service to Tampa (TPA); the FAA reauthorization bill would eight new long distance flights.

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