SAN ANGELO, TX - San Angelo air passengers who fly local are getting a better seat. Because they are no longer cost-effective to operate, American Airlines is retiring 50-seat planes in favor of a new fleet of 65-seat CRJ-700 planes. The aircraft take flight from San Angelo Regional Airport on Friday, May 5.
The new planes offer more room to sit, more space to stand, larger overhead compartments plus wi-fi capabilities. There’s also a first-class option, with nine such seats available.
The number of seats is growing by one per day to 195. American, which provides service to Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, will offer three departure times daily: 6:36 a.m., 10:36 a.m. and 4:40 p.m. Flights will arrive from DFW at 10:06 a.m., 4:10 p.m. and 11:05 p.m. Each flight lasts slightly more than an hour.
WATCH: American Airlines CRJ-700 visualization:
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“This marks a real improvement in San Angelo’s air travel experience,” Chamber of Commerce President Dan Koenig said. “We are keeping, essentially, the same number of seats, but passengers will fly in roomier, more comfortable planes, with the option of upgrading to first class.”
San Angelo Regional Airport has for years pursued a second carrier that would provide service to another market. In 2016, the airport averaged 182 passengers per day.
Above: A proposed seating chart for the AA CRJ-700, soon to be servicing San Angelo. (SeatGuru.com)
“The key to landing a second airline is increasing the number of travelers,” Airport Director Luis Elguezabal said. “If passenger loads can ensure a carrier’s profitability, a second airline will come. San Angelo travelers should fly local. It costs less and is far more convenient.”
A round trip to Orlando, Florida, from May 23-31 costs $352.40 flying from San Angelo Regional Airport, which does not charge for parking. Plus, Elguezabal noted, the traveler flies directly home. The same trip flying Southwest Airlines from Midland costs $81.76 more -- $378.16 for airfare and $56 for parking. The traveler would then have to drive 2½ hours home, incurring additional fuel costs.
The same trip to Los Angeles costs $30.04 less flying from Midland – until fuel costs for five hours of round trip driving are factored in.
If Las Vegas is the destination, flying from Midland costs $13.05 less. But those savings would be devoured by the costs of driving five hours there and back.
“We’re rapidly approaching summer vacation season,” Elguezabal said. “Fly local. I can assure you and your pocketbook will be glad you did.”
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Comments
As someone who flies out of our airport several times a year, this change will only ensure that I fly local significantly less. Who cares about better seats on a 50 minute flight to Dallas? Losing one of our daily departure flights is the story here. This change will make it more difficult to get on connecting flights as has already happened to me on a upcoming June trip. Terrible decision by those involved. This will only have a negative impact on our airport.
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PermalinkWe should not jump to conclusions here and wait for the free markets to work out the best solution for...
for...
for... consumers? for the society? no, silly! of course, for the "job creators".
As I learned in my high school economics course, competition among firms will reduce prices and improve quality. Ahhhh, the silky touch of the invisible hand. So sensual.
I got my coffee and popcorn ready; with tremendous pleasure I am enjoying the battle among airline companies for my travel dollar. I can never have enough of admiring the beauty of free markets.
Now, we will start receiving even better results in the healthcare area once the Obamination (pun intended) known as Obamacare is blasted to oblivion. The fierce competition in healthcare markets will improve the quality of care and, again, will reduce prices.
If we want these success stories to spread to all areas of our lives, the solution is simple: We must keep electing billionaires so they will work for us and solve our problems.
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PermalinkIt sounds like Republic Services is running American Eagle, and our City Managers are cheerleading for them again. How can less service be considered better by any means?
As mentioned in the comment above, doing away with one of the mid-day flights means longer layover times at DFW, and arriving later to your destination. It virtually adds a day, sometimes two, to your travel plans. The burden on business travelers such as myself is logistical and coordination becomes more difficult.
It is a poor reflection on City Management that they would go along with this, then promote it as a benefit for the traveling public. They seem to have forgotten that they work for us and should be advocating for what we want. I'm tired of City Management treating us as if we are their peons. If they are not willing stand up for the citizens of San Angelo, then, I'm not going to stand up for them. Defensive behavior for poor decisions is no excuse. It's time to start replacing City Managers. Our airport is vital to the City, and should be promoted at every opportunity. A downgrade in service is the opposite of that. Our City Council members should stand up for the people they represent against this decision.
Personally, I don't care if I'm sitting on an ERJ like they operate now, or a CRJ-700 for an hour. It makes no difference to me, as long as I can get where I need to be, when I need to be there.
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PermalinkThe story and illustration raise some questions. The illustration does not show 65 seats and then having 9 designated first class (obviously at increased cost) does not suggest a full flight other than on rare occasions. What is the benefit of first class seating on a 50 minute flight? I can appreciate those complaining about reduced flights. But indicating you intend to drive to another airport (would require additional time of about 3 hours added to your schedule) does not seem like a viable solution if costs are considered apples to apples. Flight schedules can be coordinated that might require you to leave a few hours early and have a layover somewhere elsewhere but nothing that suggests adding a day or two to your schedule. Nothing in the story suggests that the City Manager commented on the new service. The Chamber of Commerce does indicate the change is an improvement which you can disagree with. The best solution to air service for San Angelo is having another carrier begin service. There was an earlier story that one was negotiating to provide service. That story seems to have died and been buried. I think service to Houston with compatible schedules would bring an increase in passenger load.
Maybe San Angelo Live! can do a follow-up on status of a second airline.
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PermalinkJohn Chinn-I thought I stated it clearly when I said I travel for business. When I/we travel, we always leave on the first flight out. Your suggestion that I leave earlier is invalid as it is not possible to leave earlier than the first flight out.
I flew earlier this week, first flight out, and was at my destination about 5 hours after departure. I was then driven 2 hours to another location, where the aircraft I needed to fly was. We repositioned that aircraft 3 hours away. Total duty day 10 hours. I am limited to no more than a 12 hour duty day. If there was a longer layover, the aircraft reposition would wait until the next day. Does that simplify it for you, or are you going to tell me you know my business better than me?
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Permalink"Flight schedules can be coordinated that might require you to leave a few hours early and have a layover somewhere elsewhere but nothing that suggests adding a day or two to your schedule."
As a frequent traveler, the additional day typically comes into play when trying to make it home at night and having either of the evening flights from DFW to SJT cancelled, forcing an overnight stay. Depending on the season, there were times where it was a coin toss whether that flight was going to be cancelled or otherwise affected due to "weather".
I agree with other commenters here. The real story is the now reduced service options meaning I will continue to have to weigh the benefits of Midland, San Antonio, Austin, and DFW (international flights) as potential departure points, free parking not withstanding.
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