Smooth flight, take off to landing 9:10
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^I don't recall ever waiting a half hour for just a cup of coffee before the plague. And I buy a coffee nearly every time I set foot in any airport anywhere. (Or any building, really.) There were lines, mind. But I don't recall them being that. And I don't recall any wait at all in immediately pre-plague 2020 in Detroit. I'll be in C in a few months. Will report back. Might buy a ticket for the newly remodeled club just for giggles.
I pretty much only fly out of Concourse A and the Starbucks line can be pretty long in the early mornings. It's usually fine at other times of the day.
Review of my first STL to FRA and back
Departed 9/14
Back 9/25
Seat in biz class
Food- I thought it was pretty average, honestly other than the fact that you get a cloth napkin and nicer silverware if you did a blind taste test between it and economy I don’t know if people would pick biz over economy at a significantly higher rate
Service- it was very good.
Seats- it’s great that you can lay out but the hard side arm rests make it hard for someone with wide shoulders to get in a good napping position
I talked to the crew on the way to Frankfurt on the 14th and I asked if they were the same crew that flew to STL that morning (Wednesday) and they are not, they are the Sunday Frankfurt to STL crew and they get to spend 2 days in STL (Monday and Tuesday) and the Wednesday Frankfurt to STL crew spends Thursday in STL before flying the Friday flight back and so on
This crew said they stay at the downtown Marriott, they went to the cardinals game, the zoo, Forest park but did say they wished there were more shopping options in downtown
The too and from flights were packed. On way to Frankfurt the biz class had 2 open seats and none on the way to STL. The Sunday to STL flight i noticed at CBP passport control had alot of Italians on the flight
Departed 9/14
Back 9/25
Seat in biz class
Food- I thought it was pretty average, honestly other than the fact that you get a cloth napkin and nicer silverware if you did a blind taste test between it and economy I don’t know if people would pick biz over economy at a significantly higher rate
Service- it was very good.
Seats- it’s great that you can lay out but the hard side arm rests make it hard for someone with wide shoulders to get in a good napping position
I talked to the crew on the way to Frankfurt on the 14th and I asked if they were the same crew that flew to STL that morning (Wednesday) and they are not, they are the Sunday Frankfurt to STL crew and they get to spend 2 days in STL (Monday and Tuesday) and the Wednesday Frankfurt to STL crew spends Thursday in STL before flying the Friday flight back and so on
This crew said they stay at the downtown Marriott, they went to the cardinals game, the zoo, Forest park but did say they wished there were more shopping options in downtown
The too and from flights were packed. On way to Frankfurt the biz class had 2 open seats and none on the way to STL. The Sunday to STL flight i noticed at CBP passport control had alot of Italians on the flight
I really only travel in biz in western airlines if someone else is paying or if the upgrade is very cheap. Main added value is ability to lay flat which is useful to get some sleep when I have to work/got to meetings straight after landing in Europe.
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But what about the free bag situation?dbInSouthCity wrote: ↑Sep 26, 2022Review of my first STL to FRA and back
Departed 9/14
Back 9/25
Seat in biz class
Food- I thought it was pretty average, honestly other than the fact that you get a cloth napkin and nicer silverware if you did a blind taste test between it and economy I don’t know if people would pick biz over economy at a significantly higher rate
Service- it was very good.
Seats- it’s great that you can lay out but the hard side arm rests make it hard for someone with wide shoulders to get in a good napping position
I talked to the crew on the way to Frankfurt on the 14th and I asked if they were the same crew that flew to STL that morning (Wednesday) and they are not, they are the Sunday Frankfurt to STL crew and they get to spend 2 days in STL (Monday and Tuesday) and the Wednesday Frankfurt to STL crew spends Thursday in STL before flying the Friday flight back and so on
This crew said they stay at the downtown Marriott, they went to the cardinals game, the zoo, Forest park but did say they wished there were more shopping options in downtown
The too and from flights were packed. On way to Frankfurt the biz class had 2 open seats and none on the way to STL. The Sunday to STL flight i noticed at CBP passport control had alot of Italians on the flight
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It was free and on the way back i got them to take 2 carry on bags for free because the flight from Croatia to Frankfurt was packed, that flight was Saturday and Frankfurt to STL was Sunday but at the airport in Zagreb i asked if i can just leave the bags at the airport and have to go all the way through and they did. i didnt want to have to wait at the baggage claim for hour+ for stuff i didnt need for just a night stay in frankfurt, i had all i needed in my book bag.Bart Harley Jarvis wrote: ↑Sep 27, 2022But what about the free bag situation?dbInSouthCity wrote: ↑Sep 26, 2022Review of my first STL to FRA and back
Departed 9/14
Back 9/25
Seat in biz class
Food- I thought it was pretty average, honestly other than the fact that you get a cloth napkin and nicer silverware if you did a blind taste test between it and economy I don’t know if people would pick biz over economy at a significantly higher rate
Service- it was very good.
Seats- it’s great that you can lay out but the hard side arm rests make it hard for someone with wide shoulders to get in a good napping position
I talked to the crew on the way to Frankfurt on the 14th and I asked if they were the same crew that flew to STL that morning (Wednesday) and they are not, they are the Sunday Frankfurt to STL crew and they get to spend 2 days in STL (Monday and Tuesday) and the Wednesday Frankfurt to STL crew spends Thursday in STL before flying the Friday flight back and so on
This crew said they stay at the downtown Marriott, they went to the cardinals game, the zoo, Forest park but did say they wished there were more shopping options in downtown
The too and from flights were packed. On way to Frankfurt the biz class had 2 open seats and none on the way to STL. The Sunday to STL flight i noticed at CBP passport control had alot of Italians on the flight
I was on flights out and back previous Sundays (9/11 STL-FRA and 9/18 FRA-STL). I'd say it was about 95% full on way out and a little lighter at 90% on the way back. On way out we had an issue with the entertainment screens too. The pilot said that many of the movies that showed as available weren't actually loaded into the screens so nothing happened in you clicked on a recent movie like "Top Gun". The pilot said to avoid any of the movies that were recently in theater, but my wife and I couldn't find any of the movies from about the last 20 years working. Other than trying to figure out which ones were actually there it worked out ok, and I eventually found "The Talented Mr. Ripley" and "Dr. Strangelove" would actually load which was good enough for me. The flight back looked like older screens, but all the movies worked.shadrach wrote: ↑Sep 22, 2022Coming back the flight was about 80-85% full from what I saw. More empty seats than I would have liked but on par with most flights I’ve been on. (And googling flight loads, I found that ~80% is considered ‘at capacity.’)
The plane heading back was obviously older, most of the in-flight entertainment screens didn’t work. I bet JFK, LAX, DFW, MSP etc. get the nice planes. Customs took about 20 min. I didn’t check any bags—just a backpack and was out quickly.
Nice to have direct service.
Flight out worked well timing wise settling in with dinner and movie then some attempted sleep and arrived at a good time for connections. Way back had to get an earlier flight (we were starting in Marseilles) to make it to Frankfurt to catch the flight back, but wasn't too much trouble. Overall service seemed good, while the plane, seats, food, etc. in economy were fine, but the biggest advantage for me was definitely avoiding any US connections and going through customs in the final destination STL.
Agreed, definitely nice to have the direct service available and hopefully a few more times a week if loads keep up.
Not sure how much everyone is interested in these but I haven’t posted in a couple months.
June Loads
I know not everyone knows airport codes but I’m on my phone so I’m not going to fix them. You can look them up on google pretty easy.
Alaska
SEA 95.5%
AA
LAX 95%
PHX 91%
MIA 91.5%
PHL 90%
ORD 89%
DFW 88%
DCA 88%
CLT 87%
BOS 86% - much better
AUS 80%
LGA 77%
Delta
MSP 92.5%
SLC 91%
DTW 91%
ATL 89%
LGA 80.5%
Frontier
LAS 95.5%
MCO 92.5%
DEN 88.5%
ATL 70%
Spirit
MCO 88%
LAS 86%
LAX 60% - 2 flights
MYR 25.5% - only ran 1 flight then cut
UA
DEN 93%
ORD 89%
IAH 87.5%
IAD 83.5%
EWR 81.5%
Southwest
VPS 98% (outbound 99.83%)
SAN 97%
SJU 97%
MYR 95%
RDU 95%
SEA 95%
TPA 94.5%
JAX 94.5%
OKC 94.5%
CHS 94%
LAS 94%
PDX 94%
PHX 93.5%
LAX 93.5%
MCO 93.5%
PNS 93.5%
LGB 93%
DEN 93%
CLE 92.5%
SMF 92%
ECP 92%
SJC 91.5%
RSW 91.5%
MIA 90.5%
SNA 90%
SRQ 89.5%
BOS 89.5%
BWI 89.5%
PHL 89%
SLC 89%
OMA 88.5%
FLL 88.5%
AUS 88%
CLT 88%
MCI 88%
MKE 87%
DTW 87%
CMH 87%
ATL 87%
MSP 86.5%
DAL 86.5%
HOU 85.5%
MSY 85.5%
BNA 84.5%
DCA 84.5%
SAT 82.5%
LGA 80%
MDW 80%
TUL 79.5%
ICT 77.5%
LIT 75.5%
PIT 74.5% (outbound 90.5% inbound 60.5% - not sure why these are so different. maybe it is off?)
DSM 73%
June Loads
I know not everyone knows airport codes but I’m on my phone so I’m not going to fix them. You can look them up on google pretty easy.
Alaska
SEA 95.5%
AA
LAX 95%
PHX 91%
MIA 91.5%
PHL 90%
ORD 89%
DFW 88%
DCA 88%
CLT 87%
BOS 86% - much better
AUS 80%
LGA 77%
Delta
MSP 92.5%
SLC 91%
DTW 91%
ATL 89%
LGA 80.5%
Frontier
LAS 95.5%
MCO 92.5%
DEN 88.5%
ATL 70%
Spirit
MCO 88%
LAS 86%
LAX 60% - 2 flights
MYR 25.5% - only ran 1 flight then cut
UA
DEN 93%
ORD 89%
IAH 87.5%
IAD 83.5%
EWR 81.5%
Southwest
VPS 98% (outbound 99.83%)
SAN 97%
SJU 97%
MYR 95%
RDU 95%
SEA 95%
TPA 94.5%
JAX 94.5%
OKC 94.5%
CHS 94%
LAS 94%
PDX 94%
PHX 93.5%
LAX 93.5%
MCO 93.5%
PNS 93.5%
LGB 93%
DEN 93%
CLE 92.5%
SMF 92%
ECP 92%
SJC 91.5%
RSW 91.5%
MIA 90.5%
SNA 90%
SRQ 89.5%
BOS 89.5%
BWI 89.5%
PHL 89%
SLC 89%
OMA 88.5%
FLL 88.5%
AUS 88%
CLT 88%
MCI 88%
MKE 87%
DTW 87%
CMH 87%
ATL 87%
MSP 86.5%
DAL 86.5%
HOU 85.5%
MSY 85.5%
BNA 84.5%
DCA 84.5%
SAT 82.5%
LGA 80%
MDW 80%
TUL 79.5%
ICT 77.5%
LIT 75.5%
PIT 74.5% (outbound 90.5% inbound 60.5% - not sure why these are so different. maybe it is off?)
DSM 73%
Our friends in Cleveland *finally* secured a nonstop flight into EU on Airlingus beginning May 2023. Cleveland had been offering incentives well before St. Louis I believe. The 4x a week flight will be on the A321neo single aisle 180 seats aircraft... a much smaller aircraft than Lufthansa's wide body dual aisle 255 seat a330 out of STL.
Good news for Cleveland to land an international carrier.
https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.clevel ... utType=amp
Good news for Cleveland to land an international carrier.
https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.clevel ... utType=amp
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^^Those look like some absolutely nuts load factors. (Except for Myrtle Beach. Which maybe got cut before people even figured out it was there.)
I think MYR only ran 3 total flight each way for the entire season. I don’t know why they didn’t just cut them all. Shortest running new route ever maybe.symphonicpoet wrote: ↑Sep 29, 2022^^Those look like some absolutely nuts load factors. (Except for Myrtle Beach. Which maybe got cut before people even figured out it was there.)
As we know, the airline industry is in a constant state of change. One thing we know for sure is that in ten years or so the industry will look very different than today. Wanted to share this Forbes article [What The U.S. Airline Industry Could Look Like In 2035] as well as a quick summary of the factors that will impact change.
https://www.forbes.com/sites/benbaldanz ... 6ff80f4ade
https://www.forbes.com/sites/benbaldanz ... 6ff80f4ade
- More Consolidation And Smaller Regional Fleets - Today, four airlines — American, Delta, Southwest and United — carry about 80% of all US domestic travelers, making it challenging for smaller airlines to complete. That’s why future consolidation among the airlines not part of the big four is likely.
- Further Big City Congestion With eVtols And Drones - The largest US cities tend to have the most congested airspace. Flight delays can affect any flight, but disproportionately hit places like New York and Southern California. These busy areas are also the most likely areas for high drone delivery and eVtol vertiports.
- More Efficient Fleets With Hydrogen On Order - Over the next dozen years, we we'll see replacement of many older, more fuel-inefficient fleets flying all over the world. This will move the industry toward a stronger sustainability position and support reaching the 2050 net-zero goal.
- Technology Replacing Most People In Airports - As airlines need to pay more for pilot, flight attendant, and mechanic services, they will look to automate more and more of the airport experience. Self-checking baggage is an early start on this, as is the ability to do more on smartphones.
- Even Lower Fares - The highest volume of travelers comes from those who decide to fly, or maybe even where to go, based on getting a what they perceive to be a good deal. This will still be true in 2035, so U.S. airlines will be offering even more low fares and deals to keep up volumes.
https://www.forbes.com/sites/benbaldanz ... 6ff80f4ade
https://www.forbes.com/sites/benbaldanz ... 6ff80f4ade
^^ Those Jacksonville numbers are nice to see considering we lost the American non-stop years ago.
And the OKC 94.5% number is interesting.
And the OKC 94.5% number is interesting.
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Been doing a lot of travel over last 2 months and have to say at this point I am trying to fly more Delta than SWA because the baggage claim experience at T2 is abysmal. Late flight getting in couple weeks ago and waited an hour for a checked bag. Total chaos, even at midnight, with people milling everywhere and not much in way of space. High ceilings is the only good feature about that baggage claim. T1 is way faster at this point for reasons I can't understand.
Was great / fun to see the Lufthansa check in counter humming. Looking forward to permanent signage.
Was great / fun to see the Lufthansa check in counter humming. Looking forward to permanent signage.
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Not sure where to post this question, so my apologies! I don’t fly internationally very often.
I’ll be flying air Canada back from Athens and connect in Toronto.
Will I have to go through customs and/or security when I land back into Toronto before coming back to STL. Or only once back in STL? I only ask is because I have a two hour window at Toronto, and slightly afraid I may not make it if delayed.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
I’ll be flying air Canada back from Athens and connect in Toronto.
Will I have to go through customs and/or security when I land back into Toronto before coming back to STL. Or only once back in STL? I only ask is because I have a two hour window at Toronto, and slightly afraid I may not make it if delayed.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
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You will go through US customs in Toronto but one hour should be enoughdbehrens011 wrote: ↑Sep 29, 2022Not sure where to post this question, so my apologies! I don’t fly internationally very often.
I’ll be flying air Canada back from Athens and connect in Toronto.
Will I have to go through customs and/or security when I land back into Toronto before coming back to STL. Or only once back in STL? I only ask is because I have a two hour window at Toronto, and slightly afraid I may not make it if delayed.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
- 226
Thank you kind sir!dbInSouthCity wrote:You will go through US customs in Toronto but one hour should be enoughdbehrens011 wrote: ↑Sep 29, 2022Not sure where to post this question, so my apologies! I don’t fly internationally very often.
I’ll be flying air Canada back from Athens and connect in Toronto.
Will I have to go through customs and/or security when I land back into Toronto before coming back to STL. Or only once back in STL? I only ask is because I have a two hour window at Toronto, and slightly afraid I may not make it if delayed.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Agree with db. 2 hours should be plenty of time. AC flights have been delayed very often since coming back so you may have more than 2 hours anyway.dbehrens011 wrote: ↑Sep 30, 2022Thank you kind sir!dbInSouthCity wrote:You will go through US customs in Toronto but one hour should be enoughdbehrens011 wrote: ↑Sep 29, 2022Not sure where to post this question, so my apologies! I don’t fly internationally very often.
I’ll be flying air Canada back from Athens and connect in Toronto.
Will I have to go through customs and/or security when I land back into Toronto before coming back to STL. Or only once back in STL? I only ask is because I have a two hour window at Toronto, and slightly afraid I may not make it if delayed.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Frontier starting STL-Montego Bay 3x a week Tu/Th/Su.
Starts Feb 23.
Southwest is on the route seasonally. Starts back up 2x a week in March.
One ways starting under $100
Customs will be busy next year, especially if Lufthansa goes to 5x a week.
https://news.flyfrontier.com/frontier-a ... ntego-bay/
Starts Feb 23.
Southwest is on the route seasonally. Starts back up 2x a week in March.
One ways starting under $100
Customs will be busy next year, especially if Lufthansa goes to 5x a week.
https://news.flyfrontier.com/frontier-a ... ntego-bay/
Airport commission updates.
Kingside Diner opening in concourse C. In old tapenade space. Apparently being run by the company that runs Vino Volo.
September numbers (not including connecting)
better than 2018
down 3% against 2019 (without Ian it would have been over also)
Lufthansa loads
June 98%
July over 98%
August 92%
September 91.2%
All better than LH expected.
Master plan update coming in November.
Edit: outgoing cargo on the Lufthansa flights starts this month
Kingside Diner opening in concourse C. In old tapenade space. Apparently being run by the company that runs Vino Volo.
September numbers (not including connecting)
better than 2018
down 3% against 2019 (without Ian it would have been over also)
Lufthansa loads
June 98%
July over 98%
August 92%
September 91.2%
All better than LH expected.
Master plan update coming in November.
Edit: outgoing cargo on the Lufthansa flights starts this month
United Airlines cuts nonstop route from St. Louis to San Francisco | FOX 2 (fox2now.com)
https://fox2now.com/news/contact-2/united-airlines-cuts-nonstop-route-from-st-louis-to-san-francisco/
https://fox2now.com/news/contact-2/united-airlines-cuts-nonstop-route-from-st-louis-to-san-francisco/
Sorry for being dense, but does the Delta move from Terminal 2 to Terminal 5 at O'Hare affect anything for us here?dweebe wrote: ↑Oct 06, 2022Delta is moving all of their O'Hare operations over to Terminal 5.
https://blockclubchicago.org/2022/10/05 ... erminal-5/