[lisa_the_dinosaur]

Bradley airport 1% busier in 2013 | HartfordBusiness.com

I noticed this airport grows year by year. Newer airlines such as Delta and Jetblue are adding flights. However, a lot of other airlines are hesitating to go into the bigger "profit zones" such as JFK, LGA, EWR, and Boston.

[htfdcolt]

I for one would LOVE to see Bradley better marketed to the region, which should lead to expansion of flights over time. There is a potentially huge area to draw from (FFC, western MA, southern VT, even RI). I see billboards in the Boston metro promoting the use of TF Green & Manchester, for example.

Some west coast nonstops would be great, but in the short term the choices could get worse with United's elimination of the Cleveland hub (and flights from there to Bradley), and the inevitable consolidation from the American/USAirways merger next year.

[lisa_the_dinosaur]

Originally Posted by htfdcolt

I for one would LOVE to see Bradley better marketed to the region, which should lead to expansion of flights over time. There is a potentially huge area to draw from (FFC, western MA, southern VT, even RI). I see billboards in the Boston metro promoting the use of TF Green & Manchester, for example.

Some west coast nonstops would be great, but in the short term the choices could get worse with United's elimination of the Cleveland hub (and flights from there to Bradley), and the inevitable consolidation from the American/USAirways merger next year.

The only problem is Hartford is 2 hours away from two of three of the world's largest airports. JFK has more international traffic than any airport in North America; second in the world behind London. JFK is also a hub of Jetblue, American, and Delta. Newark Airport is the 3rd largest hub for United. Boston is also an airport that has a big competition. Jetblue and Cape Air have hubs in Boston, and Delta, United, and American have a lot of flights there. People in lower FFC such as Norwalk and Stamford will probably use NYC Airports because those are closer than Hartford. A lot of airlines fly into JFK and Boston because the competition is so high. I doubt Hartford will ever become a major hub.

[Stratford, Ct. Resident]

Originally Posted by lisa_the_dinosaur

The only problem is Hartford is 2 hours away from two of three of the world's largest airports. JFK has more international traffic than any airport in North America; second in the world behind London. JFK is also a hub of Jetblue, American, and Delta. Newark Airport is the 3rd largest hub for United. Boston is also an airport that has a big competition. Jetblue and Cape Air have hubs in Boston, and Delta, United, and American have a lot of flights there. People in lower FFC such as Norwalk and Stamford will probably use NYC Airports because those are closer than Hartford. A lot of airlines fly into JFK and Boston because the competition is so high. I doubt Hartford will ever become a major hub.

Hartford?

[htfdcolt]

Originally Posted by lisa_the_dinosaur

The only problem is Hartford is 2 hours away from two of three of the world's largest airports. JFK has more international traffic than any airport in North America; second in the world behind London. JFK is also a hub of Jetblue, American, and Delta. Newark Airport is the 3rd largest hub for United. Boston is also an airport that has a big competition. Jetblue and Cape Air have hubs in Boston, and Delta, United, and American have a lot of flights there. People in lower FFC such as Norwalk and Stamford will probably use NYC Airports because those are closer than Hartford. A lot of airlines fly into JFK and Boston because the competition is so high. I doubt Hartford will ever become a major hub.

Hub is probably overstating it. In fact, it would not be in our interests for BDL to become a hub, because it has been shown that competition gets reduced and fares go up. I do think that BDL could do a lot better regional marketing. For years it was run by the CT DOT which explains why it didn't happen.

Agree with the NYC airports being physically close, but I gotta believe it's such a hassle to get there if you live in FFC that an alternative (comparably priced) would be attractive.

[pulpfiction]

1% seems more like random chance than significant growth.

Either way...I like BDL exactly like it is--namely, hassle-free as a regional airport for the mid-sized New Haven-Hartford-Springfield metro.

I can arrive an hour before my flight, park for $6 per day, and get through TSA in 10 minutes. There's even free wi-fi and charging stations while I'm waiting to board my flight.

So I'll gladly pay the extra 10-15% per ticket that usually comes with flying out of BDL, as opposed to one of the NYC aiports to avoid the headaches and stress. Besides, with what I save on parking, the total cost is perhaps 5% more.

[AMSS]

Originally Posted by htfdcolt

I for one would LOVE to see Bradley better marketed to the region, which should lead to expansion of flights over time. There is a potentially huge area to draw from (FFC, western MA, southern VT, even RI). I see billboards in the Boston metro promoting the use of TF Green & Manchester, for example.

Some west coast nonstops would be great, but in the short term the choices could get worse with United's elimination of the Cleveland hub (and flights from there to Bradley), and the inevitable consolidation from the American/USAirways merger next year.

No way, I like being the only one there early in the morning! Actually, Stuart has been my favorite airport lately.

[htfdcolt]

Originally Posted by AMSS

No way, I like being the only one there early in the morning! Actually, Stuart has been my favorite airport lately.

Don't worry, there's lots of excess capacity. For a while they had two checkpoints open (not anymore)...but they can more than accommodate extra travelers!

[lisa_the_dinosaur]

Originally Posted by Stratford, Ct. Resident

Hartford?

the NYC and Boston airports have hubs. Not Hartford.

[lisa_the_dinosaur]

Originally Posted by AMSS

No way, I like being the only one there early in the morning! Actually, Stuart has been my favorite airport lately.

If Hartford does expand, more companies will move to Hartford.