V-Flyer

VX have just announced that they'll be launching SFO-DCA, dates to follow apparently.


Edit: Funny that the announcement should come on the day that UA launch their SFO-DCA service.

... and DCA-LAX too.

I find it slightly puzzling, given that they fly to SFO and LAX from IAD already. I wonder if the IAD routes will stay.

I wish they would launch some intra-East-Coast routes too -- e.g. JFK-BOS, JFK-DCA.

at240 wrote:... and DCA-LAX too.

I find it slightly puzzling, given that they fly to SFO and LAX from IAD already. I wonder if the IAD routes will stay.

Given the alliance (to use the term loosely) between VS and VX it seems unlikely they will pull out of IAD. It also offers other connecting options for other transatlantic passengers.

The demographic of people using DCA is different and many domestic passengers will choose the convenience of DCA to the city rather than IAD

honey lamb wrote:The demographic of people using DCA is different and many domestic passengers will choose the convenience of DCA to the city rather than IAD

Quite -- hence I wonder about the future of IAD. They presumably don't get all that much connecting traffic from VS (because if you fly VS you'll probably fly direct to the West Coast to begin with).

at240 wrote:... and DCA-LAX too.

I find it slightly puzzling, given that they fly to SFO and LAX from IAD already. I wonder if the IAD routes will stay.

I wish they would launch some intra-East-Coast routes too -- e.g. JFK-BOS, JFK-DCA.

I don't think they got LAX - DCA, the only slot pairs handed out were to Alaska for PDX, Southwest for AUS, JetBlue for SJU and VX for SFO - they're the only beyond perimeter slots handed out I believe.

IAD, as odd as it sounds, is largely irrelevant in this scenario as far as cutting/adding service. IAD for VX is already profitable, won't change with the addition of DCA. The DCA perimeter rule is daft, but it's huge to get direct access to DCA from SFO. Plus, I think they only got a slot pair. There's still some more to be divided up but don't expect VX to get them.

at240 wrote:... and DCA-LAX too.

I find it slightly puzzling, given that they fly to SFO and LAX from IAD already. I wonder if the IAD routes will stay.

I wish they would launch some intra-East-Coast routes too -- e.g. JFK-BOS, JFK-DCA.

Yep, had it confirmed, VX didn't even apply for LAX-DCA.

at240 wrote:I wish they would launch some intra-East-Coast routes too -- e.g. JFK-BOS, JFK-DCA.

You and me both but I don't see it happening for a while. There is too much competition on the east coast and long trans US routes offer much better profits/yields, long hops mean more efficient use of planes etc. They seem keen to establish LAX/SFO and use them as their hubs.

simonallardice wrote:Yep, had it confirmed, VX didn't even apply for LAX-DCA.

How weird -- I got that from their route map on their website earlier this evening. It has since changed (in fact DCA has disappeared from it -- it was there in grey earlier and it had two direct routes sprouting from it to SFO and LAX). Must have been an error.

willd wrote:

at240 wrote:I wish they would launch some intra-East-Coast routes too -- e.g. JFK-BOS, JFK-DCA.

You and me both but I don't see it happening for a while. There is too much competition on the east coast and long trans US routes offer much better profits/yields, long hops mean more efficient use of planes etc. They seem keen to establish LAX/SFO and use them as their hubs.

Ditto the desire but Will I agree with you, in such a start up mode they have to go for the most revenue / margin yielding routes. Even so, connecting NY with Orlando or Fort Lauderdale would be great, for me anyway.

Back to DCA, fantastic that VX got a pair of slots out of perimeter, that's quite a coup for them. One daily flight to SFO is not, however, going to mean Dulles being cut back, and my guess is that those single flights will be very popular. I wish I had the option two weeks ago!

at240 wrote:

simonallardice wrote:Yep, had it confirmed, VX didn't even apply for LAX-DCA.

How weird -- I got that from their route map on their website earlier this evening. It has since changed (in fact DCA has disappeared from it -- it was there in grey earlier and it had two direct routes sprouting from it to SFO and LAX). Must have been an error.

No surprises that VX would make an error with their website

I hear you on the East Coast front too, it's a tough one for them. I'd say DEN or PHX are the obvious next steps for them. I'm gonna be on their launch flight to PDX so I'm hoping for the usual fanfare that goes along with a VX launch. I'll let you all know.

Ditto the desire but Will I agree with you, in such a start up mode they have to go for the most revenue / margin yielding routes. Even so, connecting NY with Orlando or Fort Lauderdale would be great, for me anyway.

Back to DCA, fantastic that VX got a pair of slots out of perimeter, that's quite a coup for them. One daily flight to SFO is not, however, going to mean Dulles being cut back, and my guess is that those single flights will be very popular. I wish I had the option two weeks ago!

You're right, it's a huge coup, even though they applied for 4 slot pairs. I think they knew all along they'd get just the one. It'll be a high yielding route, that's for sure and another head-to-head with UA who launched their DCA flight today.

VX are desperate to get into EWR, be interesting to see what their next destination is.