America West Upgrades Service to YEG - This is one is real w/source!

[Samurai 777]

Well, well.....another previously unsubstantiated rumour just came true after all. Yes, there is already a thread out there on this topic, but this one should not be deleted for a few reasons: this is a true event with a source to back it up, not an unsubstantiated rumour and number two, I'd rather see this start afresh, so people know this is for real and not see any more trolling and bashing and all that bullcrap. And I'd also rather not see YEG's (the airport, that is) name getting dragged through the mud here because of too many rumours that nobody was able to back up.

America West really is going to upgrade its service from LAS and PHX to YEG. AWA is upgrading its daily service to LAS with the A319 effective November 10-11, while a return flight to PHX will be added using the 737-300 effective November 8-9.

Apparently, the demand for winter travel to these places must be increasing.

This below was just released this morning (on Aug. 29/05) and I first came across this in a non-aviation-related forum site, but the actual source is in the Edmonton Airports website.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

AMERICA WEST UPGRADES SERVICE TO EDMONTON, CANADA

Mainline service will help accommodate demand during popular winter travel season to Phoenix and Las Vegas

PHOENIX, August 29 — America West Airlines (NYSE:AWA), the nation’s second largest low-cost carrier, will be upgrading its hub service to and from Edmonton, Alberta this winter, when many sun seekers flock to the cities of Phoenix and Las Vegas to take a break from the cold and enjoy the beautiful weather in America West’s hub cities. With the mainline service, Edmonton customers will be able to enjoy America West’s affordable first-class service and enjoy more options when redeeming FlightFund mileage.

Effective November 9, 2005 America West will add a Boeing 737-300, operating daily, to the Edmonton-Phoenix route, which will also be served by a Canadair Regional Jet 900 (CRJ900) four times a week. On November 11, America West will upgrade its Edmonton-Las Vegas service from a regional jet to an Airbus A319. The Airbus A319 has 12 first-class seats and 112 coach seats, and the Boeing 737-300 has eight first-class seats and 126 in coach.

The new schedule is as follows:

Edmonton-Las Vegas
Flight
Departs
Arrives
Equipment
Operates

866*
6:30 a.m.
8:38 a.m.
A319
5x per week (daily effective Nov. 18 )
* effective Nov. 11

Las Vegas-Edmonton
Flight
Departs
Arrives
Equipment
Operates

818*
11:59 p.m.
4:17 a.m.
A319
5x per week (daily effective Nov. 16)
* effective Nov.10

Edmonton-Phoenix
Flight
Departs
Arrives
Equipment
Operates

27*
7:00 a.m.
10:31 a.m.
737-300
Daily
* effective Nov. 9

6301
2:56 p.m.
6:28 p.m.
CRJ900
Mon, Tues, Sun

6445
2:56 p.m.
6:28 p.m.
CRJ900
Sat

Phoenix-Edmonton
Flight
Departs
Arrives
Equipment
Operates

300*
8:20 p.m.
11:46 p.m.
737-300
Daily
* effective Nov. 8

6123
11:00 a.m.
2:26 p.m.
CRJ900
Mon, Tues, Sat, Sun

For more information or to book a ticket, customers may go to www.americawest.com. Customers may also purchase tickets by calling America West at 1-800-2-FLY-AWA (1-800-235-9292) or by contacting a travel agent. Travel agents are encouraged to use www.hpagentlink.com, which is an online booking tool that America West designed specifically for travel agents only. For corporate travelers, www.awacorplink.com is an effective online resource that helps companies take control of their corporate-travel management needs without booking fees.

Approximately 60,000 customers upgrade their low-fare experience every day when they get on board America West. The airline's 14,000 employees are proud to offer a range of services including more destinations than any other low-cost carrier, first-class cabins, assigned seating, airport clubs and an award-winning frequent flyer program. America West operates over 900 flights daily to more than 90 destinations in the U.S., Canada, Mexico and Costa Rica. This press release and additional information on America West can be accessed at www.americawest.com.

Get on Board
-AWA-

The source:

http://www.edmontonairports.com/bins/content_page.asp?cid=13-67-807-854

[brento79]

Awesome news! with Hp possibably joining the Star Alliance I will be utilizing them of this route more than likely! thanks for sharing the news, and posting the article.

[fallingeese]

It is very similar to how they operate the services to Calgary during the winter, it might actually be the same.

Seasonal demand is highest in the winter, so why not add more capacity.

[YEG boy]

Well maybe my details where off but I knew this months ago.Afterall I do work out here and hear alot before its posted anywhere.My other "rumors" are also things that are being talked about and need only come to friuttation,some will and some wont thats the fun part about airports.I have been hearing for years about the possibility of JAL adding Calgary to its route network and it hasnt happened yet either,and that came from a member of the calgary airports authority.Thats just the way things go....Its not about people being right or even being believed when they post something.If its sources you want than sources you will get,but when there isnt a source its kinda tough.I just wont post anything without a source.I apologize to you all...

[Crazy764]

It's fine to if you want to post a rumour. Just make sure you let people know it's only a rumour, preferably even in the title (eg. "New Rumour: LH may add YEG").

People don't like being mislead, and that's where all the negativity towards you have come from.

[BlueMatt]

Well maybe my details where off but I knew this months ago.Afterall I do work out here and hear alot before its posted anywhere.My other "rumors" are also things that are being talked about and need only come to friuttation,some will and some wont thats the fun part about airports.I have been hearing for years about the possibility of JAL adding Calgary to its route network and it hasnt happened yet either,and that came from a member of the calgary airports authority.Thats just the way things go....Its not about people being right or even being believed when they post something.If its sources you want than sources you will get,but when there isnt a source its kinda tough.I just wont post anything without a source.I apologize to you all...

Some people just got skeptical about all the rumours because there were so many of them, but hardly any until this one and the YMM flights actually have "come to friuttation." Does this mean we can expect LH service soon too?? lol

[brento79]

If the new US Airways does remain in the star Alliance edmonton just became a much stronger hub for Air Canada and domestic. Nothing compared to YYC/YVR/or YYZ but a much bigger player.

[BlueMatt]

It looks like America West will be discontinuing the non-stop YEG-LAX route this winter. It now appears to be a one stop via PHX with the 733.

[Samurai 777]

^ That's hardly surprising, because LAX is not an AWA hub. Besides, it doesn't seem to be a well-advertised flight - I don't think I've seen much in the way of YEG-LAX flights with HP being advertised in the Journal or the Sun.

[brento79]

LAX lost most of its non-stop flights with HP. I highly doubt it was Edmonton stats on this flight. I heard it was doing very well from my connections at HP, just a reorg with the restructuring of the new US Airways. I would predict we see that route picked up by UAL soon.

[Samurai 777]

^^ Let's hope so.

[A332]

Perhaps WS will further expand it's transborder services and look at running a direct YEG-LAX pairing...?

[brento79]

Maybe, I really hope for selfish reason and business outlook that a star alliance member picks it up. I know for my schedule it is a pain having to fly back to DEN all the time if I am on the west coast to get up to YEG on UAL. Also for business's in Edmonton there are great connections to Asia/Hawaii/Australia from LAX. Heck SFO might be great as well.

[Polaris]

Actually that would be great if UAL picked up LAX but it might pull from the DEN loads. A couple of years back, it was suggested that Alaska pickup the headstart flight to Seattle from Horizon and same plane to LAX.

It is puzzling why LAX is an airline hot potatoe from YEG. I do like the idea of transborder flights in the afternoon as it attracts connections. This what I think will build a stronger market. HP's flight to PHX in the PM, if connected well, will be a great start.

Continental (IAH) is going afternoons in October too.

I don't think Westjet or Air Canada will jump on this one as AC started the (excuse the pun) tango with LAX. Westjet just doesn't seem to be in the gambling mood lately either.

I want to watch this one.

[Samurai 777]

Edmonton's pretty much screwed when it comes to AC and WestJet. Both of these airlnes use YYC as a hub, not YEG. I don't think either one of those are going to try any transborder nonstops out of YEG for a very long time, if ever. So, screw 'em both, as long as there's the airlines from south of the border willing to look at YEG.

That's why Edmonton Airports has pretty much abandoned AC and WestJet in favour of US carriers when it comes to getting international/transborder routes. I believe YEG would have a far better chance attracting US carriers for YEG-LAX and/or YEG-SFO.