Every airline under the sun is submitting applications to the FAA to fly a route that is outside the perimeter rule for Reagan National Airport in Washington, D.C.   Virgin America wants to fly from San Francisco to DCA.  Southwest and JetBlue want to provide non-stop flights between DCA and Austin.  Southwest plans to offer follow on service from Austin to San Diego.  Alaska Airlines wants Portland, Oregon to DCA. 

Like I said, everyone wants a piece of the action.  Why?  Well, those flights outside the perimeter are typically good revenue earners because they are limited on those routes, provide direct connectivity to politicians and businessmen and provide access to an airport that is very difficult to get.

And once you have those slots, you’re often able to reuse them for something else that falls within the original constraints of the award if you want.  A toehold at DCA is very, very valuable to an airline. 

Who gets them?  I actually tip this towards the JetBlue and Southwest proposals for connectivity to Austin.  It fits within a strong need.  I think that flights to San Francisco and Portland aren’t as attractive because there is decent competition on those routes albeit via Dulles airport.   I do think that connecting state capitols and, in particular, those of politically powerful states such as Texas, will be an unofficial driver in this choice.

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