People who value cheaptravel options, such as cheap airplane tickets, discount hotel rooms, discounttravel deals, and cheap vacation packages generallyare pleased whenever a new competitor enters a market because that oftenresults in lower prices.
Alaska Airlines has announced that it will add nonstopservice between Seattle and New York JFK, flying one daily round trip flightstarting September 16th.
Currently, Alaska Air operates two daily round trip flightsbetween Seattle and Newark. Alaska Airsnew eastbound flight out of Seattle to JFK will be a red-eye, departing at 9:35pm, landing at JFK at 6 a.m. local time. The returning flight will depart at 7:15 a.m., arriving in Seattle at10:15 a.m.
There is on ongoing turf war between Alaska Airlines andDelta over Seattle. Seattle is AlaskaAirlines largest hub and home to its headquarters. New York JFK is one of Deltas largesthubs.
Alaska Airs new route announcement came a day after Deltadowngraded some of its reciprocal frequent flier benefits previously in placewith Alaska Air. As of April 1st,passengers will face a tougher time earning elite status with Delta when takingcoach class flights on partner Alaska Air.
At present Delta remains a partner with Alaska Air. Delta started increasing in presence inSeattle at the start of this decade relying in part on a passenger sharingagreement with Alaska Air. Delta hasgrown in Seattle to the point that it is now operating a full-fledged hubthere. Many of Deltas new destinationsout of Seattle have placed it into direct competition with Alaska Air.
Some of Alaska Airs most profitable routes are beingthreatened by Delta growing presence including markets such as Seattle to LosAngeles, Seattle to Portland, Oregon, and between Seattle and larger Alaskacities.
Rivalry between the two airlines is clearly escalating. Alaska Air has added several nonstop routesfrom Salt Lake City which is Deltas largest Western hub. Until recently Alaska Air had only a verysmall presence at the Utah airport. Itsnew point to point routes out of Salt Lake City are generally viewed asretaliation against Deltas actions.
Although Alaska Air has downplayed its increasing rivalrywith Delta, industry experts see its new Seattle to JFK route as only addingfuel to the fire. Alaska Air claims thatits new JFK route was added to provide customers with more options to Europeand other global destinations on its partner airlines.
Alaska Airs partners include American Airlines, which alsooperates a large hub out of JFK. Alaskaobserved that it offers three times more daily flights than any other airlinefrom our hometown of Seattle and serves the top 25 destinations for businesstravelers.
Delta is currently expected to offer up to five daily roundtrip flights this summer between JFK and Seattle.
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