[AMcWhirter]

So far the news is little known outside the Greater Manchester area.

But the Manchester Evening News has reported that American Airlines (AA) will axe its route to New York JFK from the start of its 2018 summer schedules.

http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/american-airlines-axing-manchester-new-13506788

The news comes only a few weeks after United announced it was axing its New York service from Birmingham on October 5.

United axes Birmingham-New York route

Budget airline Primera will fill the gap at Birmingham but travellers will have to wait until April 2018.

There are already alternatives at Manchester. However another carrier might emerge between now and next year to take AA’s place.

[TominScotland]

Alex – add to that United’s decision to make Glasgow – New York a seasonal route and this highlights the difficulties in making regional routes westbound from the UK pay. Also puts calls from posters here for BA to reintroduce US flights from the regions into some perspective. It is odd, however, that carriers can make eastbound long-haul flights from the regions work (ME3, CX, SQ) while those to the US seem to struggle.

[nevereconomy]

The AA flight to PHL is a notable success, partly due to steady Premium business, but also the large number of passengers who
connect in Philadelphia. Maybe JKF has a disadvantage in this respect. Philadelphia is probably a less daunting prospect, though
not always easy. Additionally the equipment used on the JFK was a 757, I believe……..

[Markuk2003]

I am not surprised and I was a frequent traveller in both the front and the back. Over the last year the performance of the route was shocking an sometimes over 8 hours late. The product in the back is something out of the 1980’s. Given the other carriers on this route I think the travelling public has voted with their feet. TCX have a good economy product however you do have to pay for your drinks and upgrade to better choice of movies and VS. Both of these on wide bodies. I jumped a long time ago and a lost.

[bluemooner]

So much for the Northern Powerhouse!!!

[AMcWhirter]

TominScotland – The main problem with the likes of AA/UA is that their operating costs are too high to compete with the growing number of low-cost airlines starting to fly transatlantic.

You may have seen the piece we published last year about the US carriers starting Basic Economy fares in the US.

It’s now being reported that AA wants to bring that concept to some/all transatlantic routes and possibly as early as 2018.

[FDOS_UK]

I agree with Markuk2003, TCX are popular and keenly priced.

[Olneyflyer]

The low cost airlines are only good if you are going point to point. I suspect that AA were looking for a greater amount of feed on this service. That said JFK is not a great airport to transit through and probably explains why Philadelphia keeps its Manchester service as its is a relative joy to transit through. Also the AA JFK service is only seasonal which makes it difficult to become a regular choice for business travellers.

[FDOS_UK]

[quote quote=824759]The low cost airlines are only good if you are going point to point. I suspect that AA were looking for a greater amount of feed on this service. That said JFK is not a great airport to transit through and probably explains why Philadelphia keeps its Manchester service as its is a relative joy to transit through. Also the AA JFK service is only seasonal which makes it difficult to become a regular choice for business travellers.

[/quote]

Out of interest, TCX offers connections, e.g. the below (not a good itinerary, but just to illustrate the point)

Thomas Cook Airlines TCX455 | Operated by Alaska Airlines
2h 58

08:07
LAX Los Angeles International
11:05
SEA Seattle / Tacoma International

3h 10
Connect in airport
Long wait

Thomas Cook AirlinesThomas Cook Airlines TCX2037 | Operated by Condor
10h 30
14:15
SEA Seattle / Tacoma International
09:45 (+1)
MUC Munich
5h 50
Connect in airport
Long wait

Thomas Cook AirlinesThomas Cook Airlines TCX2502 | Operated by Lufthansa
2h 05
15:35
MUC Munich
16:40
MAN Manchester

[Flightlevel]

TominScotland and others for BA, its not in their business plan (based on LHR transfers) ‘though maybe a Level route one day.
A321LR could be efficient on the route ‘though don’t think IAG has confirmed any orders?

[Selbyjay]

I agree with Markuk2003. Based in the North, I’d choose Manchester over London any day, but not on the battered old aircraft used by the US carriers. Lack of investment by those carriers on the route will have put passengers off using them.

[Flightlevel]

PatJordan reports on the EI MAN-DUB service so it maybe a good route, if connections, to USA. Not BA, still an IAG operation and an hour in Dublin is easier than travel via LHR and you can clear US customs.

[Author]

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