Thomacf From United States of America, joined Sep 2000, 540 posts, RR: 0 Posted (12 years 8 months 2 weeks 2 days 13 hours ago) and read 1228 times:
I always wondered what part of the country Southwest Airlines will invade next. They pretty much cover the whole U.S. and I wonder if they will ever go international. I know they would never go to Europe and Asia with there 737's, but what about Canada or the Carribean. I think they would make a fortune in the Carribean. I think they would also do well in Mexico and Central America. Their the only one in my opinion that could maybe bring Continental to their knees in that market. What do you think?
Ctbarnes From United States of America, joined Mar 2000, 3491 posts, RR: 52 Reply 1, posted (12 years 8 months 2 weeks 2 days 12 hours ago) and read 1117 times:
Canada would be a good move. Transborder flights are rediculously inflated, and with only one major airline left in Canada, lower fares generated from the price competition would be quite a boon.
Charles
The customer isn't a moron, she is your wife -David Ogilvy
N202PA From United States of America, joined Jun 2000, 1549 posts, RR: 4 Reply 3, posted (12 years 8 months 2 weeks 2 days 12 hours ago) and read 1108 times:
For the last time, Southwest will not be going international. They know their niche, and the price that is paid for going outside of that niche all too well (see PeoplExpress as a prime example of this).
This topic has been addressed to death before. Next time, could you please do a search of archived topics before posting something like this?
Cody From United States of America, joined May 1999, 1918 posts, RR: 10 Reply 4, posted (12 years 8 months 2 weeks 2 days 12 hours ago) and read 1067 times:
The only problem with Canada is, is that the crew has to pass through customs. That would not really allow for as quick as a turn as they need. I go to Hamilton and London, Ontario quite often and customsthere is real quick and easy, but at busy airports like Toronto and Montreal.....it's another story. Then again, WN probably would go after the Hamilton's or London's of Canada since they are sort of satellite airports for Toronto. Another neat place would be Windsor. Well I have just talked myself into thinking Canada may not be half bad for WN. I haven't helped at all have I?
Ctbarnes From United States of America, joined Mar 2000, 3491 posts, RR: 52 Reply 5, posted (12 years 8 months 2 weeks 2 days 12 hours ago) and read 1063 times:
If it's been done to death just ignore it. I did do a search, and it did come up a month ago, but as part of another thread and not readily apparent.
Also, if you bothered to check the user profile, Thomacf only joined two days ago. Not a terribly welcoming attitude. Cut the guy some slack, huh?
Charles
The customer isn't a moron, she is your wife -David Ogilvy
Trvlr From United States of America, joined Feb 2000, 4430 posts, RR: 24 Reply 6, posted (12 years 8 months 2 weeks 2 days 11 hours ago) and read 1034 times:
Southwest was just named the official airline of the NHL. Doesn't that mean they could do charters to games in Canada and even transport teams as well?
Venuscat2 From United States of America, joined Sep 2000, 478 posts, RR: 3 Reply 7, posted (12 years 8 months 2 weeks 2 days 11 hours ago) and read 1032 times:
I think that Southwest will not go international. They do not want to become a huge airline. Plus, I don't believe that they want to fly any aircraft other than the 737. If they flew international, they would probably have to go to another aircraft for those routes. Also, it may force them to raise costs. I think they should form a different company that is owned by Southwest and uses the same philosiphy as the U.S. Southwest.
Redngold From United States of America, joined Mar 2000, 6907 posts, RR: 51 Reply 8, posted (12 years 8 months 2 weeks 2 days 11 hours ago) and read 1029 times:
I highly doubt that WN will go international anytime soon. WN is committed to finding new markets in the U.S. There's a lot of untapped potential for them all over the U.S., so why waste energy trying to go international when their reputation for domestic service already stands on its own?
Republic From Canada, joined Dec 2012, 0 posts, RR: 0 Reply 9, posted (12 years 8 months 2 weeks 2 days 11 hours ago) and read 1009 times:
WN is in business to make profits for its stockholders. If there are profits to be made in Canada, Mexico, and the Carribean, why should they not pursue this strategy? God knows AA and DL know how to follow the money. Why should WN be any different? Their fleet of 737s would support these markets. Yes, Southwest knows its niche. I think these markets fit very nicely in Southwest's niche of being a high frequency, low fare provider offering point to point service. And as previous posters have mentioned, there is a definite need in Canada for an airline like WN.
What point to point routes between Canada and the US do you see as having the greatest demand for the type of service WN offers?
Seven_fifty7 From United States of America, joined Sep 2000, 957 posts, RR: 4 Reply 10, posted (12 years 8 months 2 weeks 2 days 10 hours ago) and read 994 times:
No one has mentioned the originator's question regarding WN's propensity for Carribean service. I think the airline has a huge, huge potential for some of those markets. San Juan, St. Thomas, Bermuda, and maybe Cancun, Mexico for starters. Turns are very easy on those routes, and customs concerns are negligible. The only hurdle(s) that I could see are govt approval and permission from local authorities.
I really wouldn't be surprised if Southwest announces at least one Carribbean destination within the next 2 years.
To N202PA:
So what if this (or any other topic) has been discussed "to death before." DON'T RESPOND TO IT IF IT PISSES YOU OFF SO MUCH!!! Why waste your keystrokes bitchin'! Guess what: -It's whiny posts like your's that pisses many of US off.
RL757PVD From United States of America, joined Dec 1999, 4537 posts, RR: 13 Reply 11, posted (12 years 8 months 2 weeks 2 days 10 hours ago) and read 983 times:
The Only Caribean / INTL destination i can see is maybe SJU but would that even count?
Experience is what you get when what you thought would work out didn't!
Jet Setter From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 13, posted (12 years 8 months 2 weeks 2 days 7 hours ago) and read 939 times:
Aircraft crews don't have to go through customs if they're turning around with the aircraft and flying straight home again. There are no barriers to Sothwest operating to Canada/the Caribbean with their 737s. Costs would be very slightly higher, but then the fares would be slightly higher. There are no huge problems with international flights as some people here think, operationally they are identical for the airline, and the only difference for passengers is they have to show their passports.
Look at the successful European low fare airlines like easyJet and Ryanair, almost their entire route networks are international, they make a profit, and both modelled themselves on Southwest.
Tom in NO From United States of America, joined Nov 1999, 7194 posts, RR: 41 Reply 14, posted (12 years 8 months 2 weeks 2 days 6 hours ago) and read 936 times:
I've said it before, and it bears repeating, and Republic hit the nail on the head: if Southwest sees revenue potential in Canada, they WILL go and tap it. And to be honest, there is a lot of potential up north. I harbor absolutely no illusions about Southwest entering the Montreal, Calgary, and Vancouver markets (definite); Edmonton and Toronto (probable), and maybe Winnipeg on down the line.
Commenting on JetSetter's remark about flight crews not having to clear customs on turn-around flights. I have to differ on that one. TACA has a daily Cancun-MSY flight that turns around to Cancun. US Customs Service requires that they clear customs. As a matter of fact, the entire airplane needs to clear customs before it can depart. Flight crews are not immune from that requirement.
Tom in NO (at MSY)
"The criminal ineptitude makes you furious"-Bruce Springsteen, after seeing firsthand the damage from Hurricane Katrina
Jet Setter From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 15, posted (12 years 8 months 2 weeks 2 days 6 hours ago) and read 929 times:
I can only speak from my experiences in Europe/Africa where if the crew are operating a round trip they don't need to leave the aircraft or clear customs.
Legally they never enter the country where the flight turns round, as the point of entry is passport control beacuse that is where you are granted/refused entry. Since the crew stay on/near the aircraft there is obviously no need of immigration procedures, they aren't intending to enter the country!
Maybe rules in the US are different, but I can't see why, I thought they were ICAO rules.
Tom in NO From United States of America, joined Nov 1999, 7194 posts, RR: 41 Reply 16, posted (12 years 8 months 2 weeks 2 days 6 hours ago) and read 922 times:
JetSetter, I agree with you in theory, I just think US Customs likes continuity in their clearing of an aircraft. Every day, we see the TACA crew come cruising out the Customs doors by baggage claim at MSY, then see them wander back through the security checkpoint going back down the concourse to their aircraft. I'm sure the crews get sick and tired of having to go through the hassle all the time themselves.
Tom in NO (at MSY)
"The criminal ineptitude makes you furious"-Bruce Springsteen, after seeing firsthand the damage from Hurricane Katrina
ORD Boy 2 From United States of America, joined Aug 2000, 272 posts, RR: 1 Reply 17, posted (12 years 8 months 2 weeks 1 day 5 hours ago) and read 882 times:
They should sign a code-share deal with WestJet and start joint services from LAX MDW ISP and BWI to Canadian Destinations
Cody From United States of America, joined May 1999, 1918 posts, RR: 10 Reply 18, posted (12 years 8 months 2 weeks 19 hours ago) and read 857 times:
When we fly from Pittsburgh to Hamilton or London, Ontario, we always have to clear customs. It's a real pain especially when you consider how short of a trip it is and you think, "Is this REALLY international?" It's not as bad on the Canada side, but in Pittsburgh you have to walk like 10 miles down the international concourse....it's a real pain.
Matt D From United States of America, joined Nov 1999, 9502 posts, RR: 51 Reply 20, posted (12 years 8 months 2 weeks 17 hours ago) and read 848 times:
I agree. WN won't be leaving the confines of the lower 48 anytime soon. Expansion will be confined to increasing city pairs on cities they already serve and going into places not served. I'm still surprised that they don't serve DEN or COS. But they will be there eventually.
AC183 From Canada, joined Jul 1999, 1532 posts, RR: 2 Reply 21, posted (12 years 8 months 2 weeks 16 hours ago) and read 837 times:
Here's a link to a thread a couple of months ago on planebusiness.com, actually about WJ but at the bottom it has a little bit on the potential of a WestJet/Southwest linkup: http://www.planebusiness.com/ubb/Forum4/HTML/000018.html
Anyways, as to Canada, I just want to point out that for a short-haul, low-fare carrier, customs inspection charges can ruin the economics of it. Mr. Smith from WestJet said it costs something like $60/passenger more to fly transborder routes than domestic when the various costs are taken into account. So in the interim, it's easier and financially more responsible to expand on domestic services than internationally, at least until the market potential is reached and growth has to be found elsewhere.
That said, I wouldn't be surprised if WestJet took on some transborder routes when it's 737NG's begin to arrive, and links up with SW. I agree with the comment on that link I posted that SW aircraft are unlikely to fly north of the border, but because WJ is a smaller airline, the needed customs formalities would be easier to implement at WJ for a lower cost, so perhaps WJ feeding SW could happen. In that case, Hamilton would probably be one of the airports I would expect to see such service from, possibly to MDW, BWI, LAS, perhaps ISP. The lack of preclearance facilities at YHM could be a problem, however (does MDW have customs facilities?).
Also, someone mentioned SW possibly to Windsor??? I doubt it, given the customs costs, it's easier for SW to simply fly to Detroit and let the passengers cross the border themselves.
Jet Setter From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 22, posted (12 years 8 months 2 weeks 14 hours ago) and read 831 times:
Easyjet do fly outside the EU!
They fly to Zurich and Geneva, and plan to serve Larnaca in the future.
Ryanair currently only fly within the EU, Go fly to Prague, Tenerife and Keflavik.
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