Regional airline Silver Airways has just filed for bankruptcy protection. While details about the company’s financial performance are largely private, I don’t think anyone who was has been following the airline will be surprised by this development.
Continue reading: Silver Airways Files For Chapter 11 Bankruptcy Protection
Share your questions, experiences, and thoughts below.
There isn't a place for this kind of independent airline in the US, particularly prop flying. These routes are usually covered through legacy regional flying (often with first class) or in some cases mainline (Caribbean from Miami).
The biggest hurdle is that they do have name recognition, and it's universally bad... there's no knowing when or if your flight will actually run, and you're on your own to figure out when or if that flight is running, and to resolve any issues in the meantime.
As I look in my crystal ball, might be a good fit for Jet Blue, especially since B6 recently upgraded San Juan (SJU) to crew base status for FAs and pilots, and is Silver's second largest hub. In the Caribbean, a prop may be more efficient than a jet.
Also, FLL is the third largest for B6 and the largest for Silver. Also, Silver covers seven airports in the Bahamas from FLL. In a stretch, could provide commuter service for BOS & New York freeing up jets for longer distances.
Now that Ms Joanna has cracked the whip at B6 and imposed financial and service standards, maybe she could do the same for Silver.
New name would be JBExpress!!
It would be bad if Silver does not survive as getting out of Key West to any place in Florida requires using Silver. Silver serves other Florida markets nicely by providing flights within the state. Florida does not have a built out train system. getting from west to east is by car only. A service like this is vital
Chapter 11 just delays the inevitable. Take a big breath and rip the band-aid off. It'll be better in the long run.
American Eagle, Delta Connect, & United Express!!
Allows B6 to move up the airline food chain, better utilization of B6 jets, stepping stone for Silver pilots, etc.
I haven't flown Silver, but Seaborne used to fly all over the USVI. Seems those routes are now served from small airports by Silver rather than flying boats. Looking at the company history, you can see the expansion in 2013 and excited commentary about flying on a Pan Am route.
Curious. I know next to nothing about the airline. What's the root cause of their financial distress? It's hard to offer any meaningful comment without knowing what their problem has been. The traditional 3 C's of business...cost/customer/competition? (though I doubt competition is a factor given their niche network)
Bottom line, it’s an awful airline. Flown it before but never again. Poor customer service, terrible management, which equals a company not making any money. Unless they change management, and the way they treat the few paying customers that they do have, they are doomed. And when I say awful, I can’t emphasize awful enough.
Ben, talking about tpa can we get a article why delta’s flying a330s to tpa from ATL.
And also why American flew a 777 from HNL-TPA a few days ago
The AA 777 flight(s) that you referenced was in relation to USF’s football team playing in the Hawaii Bowl, which takes place on the campus of University of Hawaii’s Manoa campus in Oahu. They are a one-off.
The DL a330’s to ATL are just a utilization play, coinciding with the high travel season to FL ( and lower winter demand to Europe).