I have gone from excited about Icelandair to a little worried that 2 Icelandic carriers, with a similar type of connecting service, will have service from CLE (vs no other non-stop Europe carrier or vs, say, a London non-stop, etc...) I assume each had to know about the other's plans though.. and still proceeded... Right?

I have gone from excited about Icelandair to a little worried that 2 Icelandic carriers will have service from CLE (vs no other non-stop Europe carrier or vs, say, a London non-stop, etc...) I assume each had to know about the other's plans though.. and still proceeded... Right?

 

The country is smaller than Cuyahoga County... they had to have known...

What, did the Mayor speak?

 

They spent a good 15 minutes fixing technical difficulties trying to skype in the CEO of WOW. Everyone just sat there and the CEO was visibility annoyed on the other end of the Skype.  Kennedy was fine, ask mayor Jackson to fill time and say something while everyone sat there and Jackson said "they can be patient" and said nothing else.  They finally got through with the CEO who said like two things, david Gilbert  then talked and did fine and mayor Jackson just sat there and said nothing, like the potato he is

What, did the Mayor speak?

 

They spent a good 15 minutes fixing technical difficulties trying to skype in the CEO of WOW. Everyone just sat there and the CEO was visibility annoyed on the other end of the Skype.  Kennedy was fine, ask mayor Jackson to fill time and say something while everyone sat there and Jackson said "they can be patient" and said nothing else.  They finally got through with the CEO who said like two things, david Gilbert  then talked and did fine and mayor Jackson just sat there and said nothing, like the potato he is

 

Figured Jackson had to have played a role....  But might be best that he didn't speak, as that could have made it even more embarrassing.   

Cant see WOW being able to compete in the CLE market with Iceland Air and the business travelers. Only one will likely survive.

 

To be honest, Cant see them doing to well in Cincy either. If I were a traveler looking for a gateway to Europe, I would fly Delta almost every time and have amenities as opposed to have an 8 hour flight on a no frills carrier.

 

Flying from Ohio to Florida is one thing. Flying transatlantic or to Hawaii is a whole new ballgame.

 

Let me introduce you to Kentucky and SE Indiana residents. Wow will be successful in CVG, just like Frontier and Allegiant have had the success they have had in Cincinnati. Alot of penny pinchers in the surrounding area.

 

Don't forget that Wow is apparently successful in Pittsburgh and they have Delta service to Paris AND Condor service to Frankfurt.

Does anyone think that adding Icelandair may influence Alaska Airlines to add a Cleveland Flight considering that Iceland Air is one of their partners? 

Does anyone think that adding Icelandair may influence Alaska Airlines to add a Cleveland Flight considering that Iceland Air is one of their partners?

 

I don't think the same motivation would exist, logistically. Just my opinion though

Well hopefully with 2 carriers now coming in from Europe the city will invest in the FCIS area! 

Does anyone think that adding Icelandair may influence Alaska Airlines to add a Cleveland Flight considering that Iceland Air is one of their partners? 

 

I think Alaska is growing nicely, if im not mistaken.  I imagine if they want to be a big player in the industry, they will need to up their destinations.

Does anyone think that adding Icelandair may influence Alaska Airlines to add a Cleveland Flight considering that Iceland Air is one of their partners? 

 

FI already flies to Anchorage and Seattle and Chicago--so AS doesn't need CLE for a connection to Iceland. If AS starts CLE it would be because they thought it was smart to do so (which it is), but not because of FI.

Has anyone here heard of Blue Star Airlines? It's a comer, 80 medium body jets 300 pilots, flies to Florida, Canada, the Caribbean, and the Northeast, great slots in major cities... I heard they just got a favorable ruling in an FAA suit and are looking to use the extra capital to expand.

So its a 6 and a half hour flight to Iceland from Cleveland.  These will be great options for accessing Northern Europe.  I definitely look forward to checking out Scandinavia this way.

Does anyone think that adding Icelandair may influence Alaska Airlines to add a Cleveland Flight considering that Iceland Air is one of their partners? 

 

FI already flies to Anchorage and Seattle and Chicago--so AS doesn't need CLE for a connection to Iceland. If AS starts CLE it would be because they thought it was smart to do so (which it is), but not because of FI.

 

I agree, but if a company is sitting on the fence to wait for more data this may be the proverbial straw.  I'm not sure how much connecting pax there could be, but I would think it would be easier to do in CLE than trying to time up routes going through O'hare, even Detroit or Minneapolis could be more challenging.

 

Either way just a thought and it would be good to get more competition to the west coast.

^I'd love to see AS announced this week (someone said another announcement is coming) with CLE- PDX/SEA/SAN. All three daily.  If not that, then B6 to JFK and LGB.

It's weird to think that we have more airlines serving Reykjavik, Iceland than Philadelphia.

^Its only two more than Atlanta, the biggest airport in the US.

^I'd love to see AS announced this week (someone said another announcement is coming) with CLE- PDX/SEA/SAN. All three daily.  If not that, then B6 to JFK and LGB.

 

During an interview, airport chief Kennedy hinted at Salt Lake City before the year is out. That would be Delta or Southwest, most likely.

^Not necessarily. It could be AS as well, as they serve SLC to about five cities.....So, it'd be great to see AS announce CLE- SLC/PDX/SEA/SAN. 

^That would be great.  My top 5 destination wishlist:

 

1. Europe

2. Montreal

3. San Antonio

4. Salt Lake

5. Kansas City

 

 

Landing two of these in a couple months is a nice win

Other ones that I'd like to see are ones like Omaha, Oklahoma City, Memphis, and Sacramento.

"Kennedy expects additional air service announcements this year from existing domestic carriers, including Frontier and Southwest."

 

http://www.cleveland.com/travel/index.ssf/2017/08/how_cleveland_hopkins_internat.html

It was briefly touched on in the wake of the new International service announcements, but are there any plans for renovations of any sort to any part of the Hopkins facility?

 

Is there a link to a Long term plan for the airport that describes any potential future construction, demo or renovations to the existing building(s)?

 

 

"Boyd, the analyst in Denver, said Cleveland will likely land additional flights to Europe in the coming years.

 

'There's certainly enough demand,' said Boyd. 'It's just a matter of time.'"

 

 

Additional flights to Europe would probably be on low-cost Norwegian, Condor, and such, right? But British Airways is starting 787 service to Nashville in May, and I think that CLE was considered for that route with BA or AA a couple years ago.

So SWA just added Columbus—Cancun, and has been expanding international service recently. Perhaps this is a sign of  things to come for CLE?

It was briefly touched on in the wake of the new International service announcements, but are there any plans for renovations of any sort to any part of the Hopkins facility?

 

Is there a link to a Long term plan for the airport that describes any potential future construction, demo or renovations to the existing building(s)?

 

There is a long out of date "master plan" on the airport's website left over from Continental hub days that Ricky Smith, ex-head of CLE, said would be updated; but I think that effort died when he left. I think the current master plan is to pay down the debt (which they are doing) and get the credit rating up a notch or two to make future borrowings cheaper.  Then they can think about construction.

Delta announced an Indianapolis-Paris non-stop today... launching May 2018... $5.5MM in incentives.

 

(This section deleted to soothe my new friend Pontiac51. Sorry P51...)

Delta announced an Indianapolis-Paris non-stop today... launching May 2018...

 

Icelandic airlines are nice, but bet they aren't wishing they had two Iceland non-stop airlines vs one direct to continental Europe airline.

Why are you so concerned about what IND is doing? I just don't get it!!! Just be happy that Hopkins has 2 new foreign airlines to Europe, after many of you goofballs swore up and down that Hopkins would never get overseas service because the mayor, airport director and others were so incompetent!! There are enough overseas flights for everyone. In other words, whatever happens at IND or any other airport HAS NO BEARING on what happens at Hopkins. So let's stop with the childish stuff!!

I don't really care tbh about the Indy service. I have no envy. The Iceland air service is incredible.  You scan get off the plane and catch rest, explore, eat and drink then head directly to whatever destination ur going to. Unless you are going to Paris, you are going to have to do that anyway...except a quick layover...right back on a plane

Good plan--but you have to schedule a pretty hefty layover to do anything.  Kevflavik is at least 45 minutes to Reykjavik city centre via taxi. 

 

I'm still glad CLE is getting them though--hopefully it results in more in the future.

I flew on Wow to Milan from Pittsburgh in July. They coordinate all their landing times in Iceland so that layovers are generally kept short - the Wow terminal is very busy for a few hours twice a day, and then a dead zone for the rest of the time.

 

Unfortunately the Pittsburgh and Milan flights did not line up properly, so we had to hang in the terminal for 12 hours each way. On the way back, we did get a chance to visit the Blue Lagoon. It was actually the perfect thing to do on a layover in the middle of a long journey - relax and even get to wash up and take a shower.

 

I'd fly Wow again in a second, but I'd hope for a short layover instead of a long one. Those who want to spend time in Iceland are better off scheduling a night or two on their way across the Atlantic.

 

Stay tuned for deals - I got the Pittsburgh flights booked very shortly after the first ones were sold and it was ridiculously, ridiculously cheap - $600 round trip.

Tickets....get ya tickets here!  http://www.icelandair.us/destinations/flights-to-cleveland/#utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=new_destination_cleveland

Tickets....get ya tickets here!  http://www.icelandair.us/destinations/flights-to-cleveland/#utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=new_destination_cleveland

 

Where are the dates of operation though? I'm trying to find flights and keep getting errors for all the dates I'm checking.

Tickets....get ya tickets here!  http://www.icelandair.us/destinations/flights-to-cleveland/#utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=new_destination_cleveland

 

Where are the dates of operation though? I'm trying to find flights and keep getting errors for all the dates I'm checking.

 

Icelandair - Sun, Mon, Tue, Wed, and Fri beginning May 16, 2018.

 

WOW - Sun, Tue, Thu, Sat beginning May 4, 2018

Wow. So daily service. Not bad

^ That's the benefit of 2 airlines going to Iceland. 

Delta announced an Indianapolis-Paris non-stop today... launching May 2018...

 

Icelandic airlines are nice, but bet they aren't wishing they had two Iceland non-stop airlines vs one direct to continental Europe airline.

Why are you so concerned about what IND is doing? I just don't get it!!! Just be happy that Hopkins has 2 new foreign airlines to Europe, after many of you goofballs swore up and down that Hopkins would never get overseas service because the mayor, airport director and others were so incompetent!! There are enough overseas flights for everyone. In other words, whatever happens at IND or any other airport HAS NO BEARING on what happens at Hopkins. So let's stop with the childish stuff!!

 

Not a goofball. It still took a decade to restablish a Euro link to Iceland. Still think Hopkins is going to have trouble direct service to places like London, Paris and Frankfurt because of the facility until narrowbodies can make the leap. I have to admit, I have no links with the Icelandair or WOW folks so I didn't see that one coming. Let's stop with you trying to shut everyone down if they aren't a 100% Cleveland cheerleader.

^Not to nitpick, but the 757 (a narrowbody) already flies transatlantic routes.  Also, the new 737 MAX will have the necessary ETOPS ratings for some transatlantic service and I suspect the A320neo will as well although I'm not positive.

^Not to nitpick, but the 757 (a narrowbody) already flies transatlantic routes.  Also, the new 737 MAX will have the necessary ETOPS ratings for some transatlantic service and I suspect the A320neo will as well although I'm not positive.

 

Right Delta stared IND-CDG on at 767. Most of BA's service is on 789s. Condor is mostly flying 767s. Not saying DL wont come to CLE with a 757, I just don't think CLE is on their radar right now with the PIT flight. Also, Norwegian hasn't really mentioned Cleveland in any of their press and they'd be the most likely candidate for the long range narrowbody. It is what it is.

Delta announced an Indianapolis-Paris non-stop today... launching May 2018...

 

Icelandic airlines are nice, but bet they aren't wishing they had two Iceland non-stop airlines vs one direct to continental Europe airline.

Why are you so concerned about what IND is doing? I just don't get it!!! Just be happy that Hopkins has 2 new foreign airlines to Europe, after many of you goofballs swore up and down that Hopkins would never get overseas service because the mayor, airport director and others were so incompetent!! There are enough overseas flights for everyone. In other words, whatever happens at IND or any other airport HAS NO BEARING on what happens at Hopkins. So let's stop with the childish stuff!!

 

Not a goofball. It still took a decade to restablish a Euro link to Iceland. Still think Hopkins is going to have trouble direct service to places like London, Paris and Frankfurt because of the facility until narrowbodies can make the leap. I have to admit, I have no links with the Icelandair or WOW folks so I didn't see that one coming. Let's stop with you trying to shut everyone down if they aren't a 100% Cleveland cheerleader.

This isn't about being a cheerleader; it's about being fair, which you are not!! This is also about having common sense, which you are severely lacking!! The bottom line is that you carried on and on about how CLE would never ever get European/overseas service. You said that the mayor/airport director and others were too incompetent. Then all of the sudden CLE gets two new foreign airlines to Iceland, and now you're upset that it's not London, Paris or Frankfurt. You're upset that the Iceland flights are on narrowbody airplanes. Soon, your going to tell us that Iceland isn't really a part of Europe, and on and on and on!!! Never satisfied!!

 

Now I'm not trying shut you down, but so far your batting average ain't been too good!! I'm not a cheerleader; I just give credit when/where it is due. I don't complain about everything like you do!!

Delta announced an Indianapolis-Paris non-stop today... launching May 2018...

 

Icelandic airlines are nice, but bet they aren't wishing they had two Iceland non-stop airlines vs one direct to continental Europe airline.

Why are you so concerned about what IND is doing? I just don't get it!!! Just be happy that Hopkins has 2 new foreign airlines to Europe, after many of you goofballs swore up and down that Hopkins would never get overseas service because the mayor, airport director and others were so incompetent!! There are enough overseas flights for everyone. In other words, whatever happens at IND or any other airport HAS NO BEARING on what happens at Hopkins. So let's stop with the childish stuff!!

 

Not a goofball. It still took a decade to restablish a Euro link to Iceland. Still think Hopkins is going to have trouble direct service to places like London, Paris and Frankfurt because of the facility until narrowbodies can make the leap. I have to admit, I have no links with the Icelandair or WOW folks so I didn't see that one coming. Let's stop with you trying to shut everyone down if they aren't a 100% Cleveland cheerleader.

This isn't about being a cheerleader; it's about being fair, which you are not!! This is also about having common sense, which you are severely lacking!! The bottom line is that you carried on and on about how CLE would never ever get European/overseas service. You said that the mayor/airport director and others were too incompetent. Then all of the sudden CLE gets two new foreign airlines to Iceland, and now you're upset that it's not London, Paris or Frankfurt. You're upset that the Iceland flights are on narrowbody airplanes. Soon, your going to tell us that Iceland isn't really a part of Europe, and on and on and on!!! Never satisfied!!

 

Now I'm not trying shut you down, but so far your batting average ain't been too good!! I'm not a cheerleader; I just give credit when/where it is due. I don't complain about everything like you do!!

 

I put myself on the line, never said I was perfect and yes Cleveland is still not looked on as a bastion of competency, nothing has changed there. Iceland service doesn't really change that. The FAA snow removal fiasco is still fresh in many minds. Anyway, it's easy to point out other's flaws when you don't offer any ideas of your own.

 

It's also entertaining watching you complain about my thoughts on Iceland when there were folks on here saying Pittsburgh-Iceland wasn't real Euro service before Cleveland got it.

Not a goofball. It still took a decade to restablish a Euro link to Iceland. Still think Hopkins is going to have trouble direct service to places like London, Paris and Frankfurt because of the facility until narrowbodies can make the leap.

 

Took a decade - yes, but I don't think CLE management were really serious until WOW picked PIT over CLE last year. I know it was not an urgent goal for the civic promotion groups like GCP.

 

It will be interesting to see how much new traffic the Icelandic lines generate.  CLE's Europe traffic number has been about 200-250 per day.  If the new carriers capture half that number and generate an equal number of new bargain-seeking travelers, that will still leave room for a third carrier to offer a flight 3 or 4 times a week to a traditional European hub.

 

 

Not a goofball. It still took a decade to restablish a Euro link to Iceland. Still think Hopkins is going to have trouble direct service to places like London, Paris and Frankfurt because of the facility until narrowbodies can make the leap.

 

Took a decade - yes, but I don't think CLE management were really serious until WOW picked PIT over CLE last year. I know it was not an urgent goal for the civic promotion groups like GCP.

 

It will be interesting to see how much new traffic the Icelandic lines generate.  CLE's Europe traffic number has been about 200-250 per day.  If the new carriers capture half that number and generate an equal number of new bargain-seeking travelers, that will still leave room for a third carrier to offer a flight 3 or 4 times a week to a traditional European hub.

It's quite obvious that you're just making stuff up!! According to an article in cleveland.com, airport officials were after Icelandair long before PIT got WOW. They just didn't get serious about overseas service last year; they've been serious since 2009 when Continental ended the London flight. So for you to suggest that the airport officials were motivated solely because of PIT shows what kind of grade-school reasoning you have!!

CLE's Europe traffic number has been about 200-250 per day. 

 

I'm surprised it's that small.

CLE's Europe traffic number has been about 200-250 per day. 

 

I'm surprised it's that small.

 

the obvious question is....do those numbers take the new Iceland routes...or stick with their frequent flyer airline.  Heres to hoping that the new airlines also stimulate demand...if we can see those climb to 300 per day, that would be significant. 

Not a goofball. It still took a decade to restablish a Euro link to Iceland. Still think Hopkins is going to have trouble direct service to places like London, Paris and Frankfurt because of the facility until narrowbodies can make the leap.

 

Took a decade - yes, but I don't think CLE management were really serious until WOW picked PIT over CLE last year. I know it was not an urgent goal for the civic promotion groups like GCP.

 

It will be interesting to see how much new traffic the Icelandic lines generate.  CLE's Europe traffic number has been about 200-250 per day.  If the new carriers capture half that number and generate an equal number of new bargain-seeking travelers, that will still leave room for a third carrier to offer a flight 3 or 4 times a week to a traditional European hub.

It's quite obvious that you're just making stuff up!! According to an article in cleveland.com, airport officials were after Icelandair long before PIT got WOW. They just didn't get serious about overseas service last year; they've been serious since 2009 when Continental ended the London flight. So for you to suggest that the airport officials were motivated solely because of PIT shows what kind of grade-school reasoning you have!!

 

They were so serious it took 8 years (!!) to get Iceland service and it was after PIT landed WOW! service to Iceland which already had a non-stop to Paris. I know you're in love with the current administration but think how silly it makes the city look if true! Thanks for making my point.

Icelandair just announced it will be using the fourth generation 737 -- The 737MAX8 on the CLE-KEF route. It will have 8 Biz class and 152 economy seats. This plane size reduction from the 757 is not a bad thing considering they'll be directly competing with WOW! The idea should be to keep both these carriers in Cleveland as long as possible until the airport can get a direct link to London, Paris or Frankfurt.

Not a goofball. It still took a decade to restablish a Euro link to Iceland. Still think Hopkins is going to have trouble direct service to places like London, Paris and Frankfurt because of the facility until narrowbodies can make the leap.

 

Took a decade - yes, but I don't think CLE management were really serious until WOW picked PIT over CLE last year. I know it was not an urgent goal for the civic promotion groups like GCP.

 

It will be interesting to see how much new traffic the Icelandic lines generate.  CLE's Europe traffic number has been about 200-250 per day.  If the new carriers capture half that number and generate an equal number of new bargain-seeking travelers, that will still leave room for a third carrier to offer a flight 3 or 4 times a week to a traditional European hub.

It's quite obvious that you're just making stuff up!! According to an article in cleveland.com, airport officials were after Icelandair long before PIT got WOW. They just didn't get serious about overseas service last year; they've been serious since 2009 when Continental ended the London flight. So for you to suggest that the airport officials were motivated solely because of PIT shows what kind of grade-school reasoning you have!!

 

They were so serious it took 8 years (!!) to get Iceland service and it was after PIT landed WOW! service to Iceland which already had a non-stop to Paris. I know you're in love with the current administration but think how silly it makes the city look if true! Thanks for making my point.

 

I dont think you are seeing the forest through the trees.  After United and Continental merged, the instability, uncertainty, etc. really shook up CLE, even before the dehub.  This was one of those projects they had to blow up and staart over to reinvent the airports look, services, flow, aesthetics.  You, for some reason, cant see that this is and has been a project.  You expect JFK airport for the last 8 years.  Its a process, and all signs point to a bright future.  The destinations, retail, food, flow , cleanliness and renovations have all been good indicators that the new guy gets what an airport should look like and is working towards an end goal.  Its irrational and absurd to expect immediate greatness coming off poor leadership, dehub and an aged facility.  Go outside and breath in some of that crispy virginia air....patience....the direction is correct.

Not a goofball. It still took a decade to restablish a Euro link to Iceland. Still think Hopkins is going to have trouble direct service to places like London, Paris and Frankfurt because of the facility until narrowbodies can make the leap.

 

Took a decade - yes, but I don't think CLE management were really serious until WOW picked PIT over CLE last year. I know it was not an urgent goal for the civic promotion groups like GCP.

 

It will be interesting to see how much new traffic the Icelandic lines generate.  CLE's Europe traffic number has been about 200-250 per day.  If the new carriers capture half that number and generate an equal number of new bargain-seeking travelers, that will still leave room for a third carrier to offer a flight 3 or 4 times a week to a traditional European hub.

It's quite obvious that you're just making stuff up!! According to an article in cleveland.com, airport officials were after Icelandair long before PIT got WOW. They just didn't get serious about overseas service last year; they've been serious since 2009 when Continental ended the London flight. So for you to suggest that the airport officials were motivated solely because of PIT shows what kind of grade-school reasoning you have!!

 

They were so serious it took 8 years (!!) to get Iceland service and it was after PIT landed WOW! service to Iceland which already had a non-stop to Paris. I know you're in love with the current administration but think how silly it makes the city look if true! Thanks for making my point.

 

I dont think you are seeing the forest through the trees.  After United and Continental merged, the instability, uncertainty, etc. really shook up CLE, even before the dehub.  This was one of those projects they had to blow up and staart over to reinvent the airports look, services, flow, aesthetics.  You, for some reason, cant see that this is and has been a project.  You expect JFK airport for the last 8 years.  Its a process, and all signs point to a bright future.  The destinations, retail, food, flow , cleanliness and renovations have all been good indicators that the new guy gets what an airport should look like and is working towards an end goal.  Its irrational and absurd to expect immediate greatness coming off poor leadership, dehub and an aged facility.  Patience....deep breath....

 

I never said I expected JFK but you can't deny it took Cleveland a decade to get Iceland which you even said you didn't care for when Pittsburgh landed it. Just because you like the airport doesn't mean the FIS facility is modern which is what matters most to international service. This is not a state secret.

^ yeah i mean i didnt care.  I still dont.  I think its great CLE got it and i dont care PIT got it first, but even without the European service, i still saw the new administration working.  I think i made my point that i dont think the airport is a finished product.  Just like all aspects of our city, we are striving to improve. Again, i think its directionally correct,

^ yeah i mean i didnt care.  I still dont.  I think its great CLE got it and i dont care PIT got it first, but even without the European service, i still saw the new administration working.  I think i made my point that i dont think the airport is a finished product.  Just like all aspects of our city, we are striving to improve. Again, i think its directionally correct,

 

Look Believeland, you bring up very cogent arguments and I get where you are coming from. We agree to disagree about airport administration but I have no beef with you at all. Pontiac on the other hand......