Skybus Airlines Shutting Down

[downtownparks]

Lake, Jetblue added a direct Boston hop, as well, there are good deals in and out of Portland. If you are patient/willing to jump on a deal, you can get into and out of Portland for about $89-$99 per ticket/direction, or about 200 per person. So for your fam of 4, you are looking at $800. But the TVs in each seat make this much more bearable with children... and the question would be, is 300 bucks worth 16-20 hours of your life in each direction?

This is certainly higher than 500, but I have to tell you that Jet Blue is a GREAT experience every time I have flown them. I have flown in and out of Portland now several times, and had no delays or problems.

Portland would require a stop at JFK, Boston is now direct.

[downtownparks]

As an example

$99.00 USD
        Thu, 01 May 08
  Flight 610
  Flight 600         
6:10 AM       Depart       Jacksonville, FL (JAX)
8:27 AM
9:10 AM       Connect       New York, NY (JFK)
10:34 AM       Arrive       Portland, ME (PWM)

$99.00 USD
        Sun, 11 May 08
  Flight 605
  Flight 619         
6:05 PM       Depart       Portland, ME (PWM)
7:27 PM
9:00 PM       Connect       New York, NY (JFK)
11:48 PM       Arrive       Jacksonville, FL (JAX)

[thelakelander]

I love Jetblue.  We took it into Boston a few years ago and the TVs were a hit.  If I can find something like that I'd pouce on it.

As for the effect of skybus' downfall on St. Augustine:

Ed Wuellner, director of the St. Augustine Aviation Authority says now the airport will try to bring in a new airline.

"The concept of commercial service out of St. Augustine airport was validated, the airline did extremely well here and other than the immediate circumstances had intended to continue to expand their service out of the airport," says Wuellner.

As many as 20 people working at the St. Augustine Airport could be laid off.

full article: http://www.firstcoastnews.com/news/local/news-article.aspx?storyid=106475

[Ocklawaha]

As for Amtrak, consider that Amtrak allows for "stop-overs" without extra fare, so who knows, it might even be cheaper AND better at the same time??? Worth a check.

Ocklawaha

[thelakelander]

I have to rent a car to drive to a family reunion in Upstate NY anyway, so I can cut the Portland segment and fly in/out JFK for $756, which isn't bad at all.  Now I just have to get my money back from Skybus.

[thelakelander]

As for Amtrak, consider that Amtrak allows for "stop-overs" without extra fare, so who knows, it might even be cheaper AND better at the same time??? Worth a check.

Ocklawaha

I'll check with Amtrak to.  The good thing is this occurred months before my planned trip so I have time to make alternative arrangements.  I have a co-worker who was supposed to fly to North Carolina this Wednesday on Skybus.  I feel sorry for him.

[blizz01]

Is Jet America the second coming? Reborn?  Sort of sad, really - I drove down US1 last week & the St. Augustine Airport still has a "new" Skybus sign affixed to the terminal.  Maybe they'll go after these guys since everything is already in place logistically (bated breath).  Regardless, they seem to have the same Ryanair/Skybus business model, so one can only be cautiously optimistic.

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/New-lowcost-airline-targets-apf-15348934.html?.v=5

http://www.jetamerica.com/

[Jason]

Nice find Blizz.  Looks like it could be a fit for St. Augustine.

I miss Skybus.  I flew from St. Aug to Columbus three times and had pleasant experiences each trip.  Yeah the terminal was a bit small and cheesy but it was still cheap and convenient.


My only concern with JetAmerica is the Melbourne hub.  It may face some steep competition with the nearby Daytona and Sanford Airports who offer some pretty competetive rates.