Spirit at ISP

[nyctotpo]

Anybody at ISP today and take any pics if there was a ceremony/press conference? Does anybody how the loads are for nk at isp and what gate they are using?

[JetBlueAirwaysFan]

In addition, DL's made its last harrah at ISP this morning with a 5:57 AM departure to Atlanta.

[Matt Molnar]

Newsday:

New Spirit at MacArthur Airport (http://www.newsday.com/news/local/suffolk/ny-lispir0502,0,2305344.story)

BY SUSANA ENRIQUEZ | [email protected]
1:36 PM EDT, May 1, 2008

Spirit Airlines made its inaugural flight from Fort Lauderdale to Long Island MacArthur Thursday morning -- a sign that the airport is expanding its wings.

The Airbus 319 landed on runway six at 9:54 a.m. and taxied through an arch of water from two fire trucks before arriving at the gate.

Within about an hour, the plane was nearly full and in the air again on its way back to Fort Lauderdale. [Full Article (http://www.newsday.com/news/local/suffolk/ny-lispir0502,0,2305344.story)]

[lijk604]

Well, I was here, hoping for a runway 24 arrival as then they would taxi past my office. Unfortunately, they landed on 6 and DEPARTED on 24 an hour later. I was not able to go rampside by the terminal so I missed the water-arch...it didn't help that as they landed, I was supposed to be at my desk working.

I'm hoping to catch the pm arrival as they are landing 24 now thanks to the winds.

I couldn't see the reggie this morning, but it was one of the "crest toothpaste" birds that arrived for the inaugural.

[MarkLawrence]

I couldn't see the reggie this morning, but it was one of the "crest toothpaste" birds that arrived for the inaugural.

Those are referred to down here in Florida as the "Bordello" color scheme! :lol:

[lijk604]

...so of course, the evening arrival is crap thanks to a rapidly advancing overcast sky, never the less, Spirit is now documented at ISP. The evening arrival landed on 24, which meant it would taxi right past my office. The town was happy both flights were full in and out, so if this is any precursor, I am sure Spirit will want to expand here.

First a few appetizers while waiting:
Colgan "Slaab"
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b233/lijk604/N299CJ_ISP_050108.jpg

A Caravan cargo-running
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b233/lijk604/N31MG_ISP_050108.jpg

The main course, slowing down on 24 @ ISP
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b233/lijk604/N516NK_ISP_050108a.jpg

Taxi-ing by the office:
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b233/lijk604/N516NK_ISP_050108b.jpg
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b233/lijk604/N516NK_ISP_050108c.jpg

Spirit 824 is routed Cancun-Fort Lauderdale-Islip, so how appropriate:
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b233/lijk604/N516NK_ISP_050108d.jpg

[AirtrafficController]

Nice pics John. Great to see Spirit expanding in the NYC area.

[T-Bird76]

"A sign that the airport is expanding." LOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOL What joke...One flight a day on a non legacy carrier is not a sign of expansion. I wonder what the loads were like and whether it was mainly O&D or connecting customers.

[JetBlueAirwaysFan]

"A sign that the airport is expanding." LOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOL What joke...One flight a day on a non legacy carrier is not a sign of expansion. I wonder what the loads were like and whether it was mainly O&D or connecting customers.
I do agree, but with one correction...Spirit operates two daily flights.

[Matt Molnar]

"A sign that the airport is expanding." LOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOL What joke...One flight a day on a non legacy carrier is not a sign of expansion.
Not to mention it was the same day Delta said WE OUTTA HERE.

[lijk604]

Not to mention it was the same day Delta said WE OUTTA HERE.

It could be said DL was their own worst enemy. They flew the old CRJ100: ATL-ISP-ATL, and the fares were outrageous! It was cheaper to fly anywhere in Florida and connect then to take the non-stop. I had seen fares as high as $700 for the route. :shock:

[JetBlueAirwaysFan]

Yeah, Delta wasn't really voicing itself at ISP. I once flew DL MCO-ATL-ISP-ATL-MCO for $180 in 2003. That was the last time we flew DL into ISP though.

[kevin323]

Sent the wife to FLL on Spirits second day. Fare was $19 each way just over $60 with taxes. Now looks like cheapest is $69. Special fare was cheaper than using my UA passes. Strange when dropping her off there were no Spirit signs outside terminal. Hope they do well.

[darogers]

I do not know the load factor, but they are using former Delta's gate and Jetbridge.

[PhilDernerJr]

Good info. Welcome to the site, darogers!

[JetBlueAirwaysFan]

I do not know the load factor, but they are using former Delta's gate and Jetbridge.
The load factors were between 70 and 80 percent I believe.

[bluejuice]

Any guess if this station will remain after they announce all their cuts next week???? How big of a presence do they have in LGA???