DCA Slot Roulette: Who Should Win The New Beyond-Perimeter Slots? – Live and Let’s Fly

Airlines are jockeying for new beyond-perimeter routes after Congress approved five new slots for longer-distance flights at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA). Who should those slots go to?

Here is what airlines have requested:

Note that both JetBlue and United have requested a slot to Los Angeles (LAX) as a backup.

Without getting into the intricacies of the slot award requirements, there is reason to question whether Frontier and Spirit are even eligible. My feeling is that they will be deemed eligible and theres a strong case for Spirits SJC route since no other carriers offer nonstop service to DCA from the Silicon Valley.

The new slots would augment the current beyond-perimeter slot allowance:

Selfishly, Id love to see United get the Los Angeles slot (instead of a second San Francisco slot), but with service already by Alaska Airlines and American Airlines, I guess the 2x daily SFO service makes more sensea JetBlue LAX slot would also be welcome. That said, I dont think United or JetBlue will get a slot at all.

Delta certainly doesnt want United to have a slotor American or JetBlue, but it wont be Deltas lawyering but rather a decision to maximize connectivity that will lead to the following awards:

Thats my guess. If I were in charge, Id award Southwest to Las Vegas, Delta to Seattle, United to Los Angeles, Alaska to San Diego, and JetBlue to Los Angelesyou can see where my SoCal bias lies.

Thats my best guesswhich five DCA beyond perimeter slots do you think will be awarded?

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DCA Slot Roulette: Who Should Win The New Beyond-Perimeter Slots? - Live and Let's Fly