Here and there, in ones and twos, airlines are launching new flights, perhaps—but just perhaps—signaling somewhat of a route revival.
Here’s what’s happening:
- Discount airline JetBlue just began twice-weekly New York flights to La Romana, Dominican Republic. To get your attention JetBlue is selling one-way seats for $149, taxes and fees not included. Book and buy by Dec. 1. Then, travel through February 2012. New York flights to La Romana leave Wednesdays and Saturdays at 8:35 a.m. and arrive at the resort city at 1:32 p.m. Return La Romana flights to New York depart at 2:30 p.m. and get to the gate at JFK at 5:33 p.m.
- Come next June Delta Air Lines plans to begin nonstop Austin flights to New York. Delta will be flying into JFK, and that sets up some interesting competition. Discount airline JetBlue already offers nonstop Austin flights to New York Kennedy. United/Continental fields nonstop Austin flights to New York/Newark.
- Triple competition is coming to an interesting route next June. Discount airline AirTran, now in the process of merging with Southwest, plans to launch nonstop Dayton flights to Denver. If both United Express and Frontier keep flying the 1,084-mile route that will make for some really robust competition – and, just perhaps, some initial prices cutting.
- Injecting a bit of caution into all of this expansion is this news: Continental Airlines is ending its nonstop Orange County flights to Maui come Jan. 2, 2012. Continental is merging with United. United/Continental looks like it will keep nonstop Orange County flights to Honolulu. By flying out of Orange County for Hawaii, LA Basin fliers avoid the hassle of LAX.
What new nonstop routes would you like to see an airline launch?
Story by Jerry Chandler
(Image: Mountain Pete)
