New airline out of Ogdensburg, NY!

Hi Everyone!

For us Ottawa area types, it looks like there are going to be more options when flying out of Ogdensburg, NY. News seems to indicate there will be flights to Chicago and Washington, DC. It looks like the new airline will be SkyWest.

Has anyone heard of it or had experiences with the airline? Tell me!

Here's an article out of the Watertown Daily Times.
Here's another article from North Country Now.

Exciting! I love options!

OttawaDisGirl said:

Hi Everyone!

For us Ottawa area types, it looks like there are going to be more options when flying out of Ogdensburg, NY. News seems to indicate there will be flights to Chicago and Washington, DC. It looks like the new airline will be SkyWest.

Has anyone heard of it or had experiences with the airline? Tell me!

Here's an article out of the Watertown Daily Times.
Here's another article from North Country Now.

Exciting! I love options!

Click to expand...

ALWAYS nice to have more options! I love flying in to Chicago & then SouthWest! Makes it more affordable.

When we flew to San Diego last fall via Detroit on Delta it was a SkyWest plane that did the Detroit-Ottawa leg of the journey. They are a regional carrier that connect with Delta, United, Ameriacan and Alaska airlines. They fly smaller jets 2x2 seating configuration. We had to gate check our carry-ons. The day we flew was unusual (tornado day) but they got us where we needed to go. Missed our connection but that wasn't their fault. Flight home uneventful, just the way you want it.

That would certainly open up the US market to Ottawa passengers.

That's great news. The airport itself might be busy on days that both are flying but I think it's great especially since unlike Allegiant, SkyWest partners with major airlines so it might mean being able to take connection with other airlines (don't get me wrong, I think having direct flights with Allegiant is awesome but this just gives more options)

I've flown Skywest a lot over the years. Here in AB they are operating as United Express. They do the same for other "majors" like Delta as another poster mentioned. From the article it looks like this will be United Express as well. They mostly fly the ERJs and yes they are 2 x 2 seating but they are a good solid plane. If you've never flown on one of these, be aware that the bins may be smaller than the usual A320 or B737 and larger types many of us are used to. Interesting fact about Skywest is that they've never had a fatality even though they fly into some pretty small and sometimes risky (think Vail or Aspen) airports.

Wonder what pricing is going to be like? Would love a quick trip to Chicago and Washington

We'll find out for sure in a few months but I suspect they'll be quite competitive.

Here's what I posted in another thread last week (so the prices might have changed):

Prices will likely be very competitive as the flights are subsidized by the US Gov (program is to offer flights in more remote cities) and airport fees are lower in the US.

E.g. Ogdensburg to Boston (1 stop in Albany but stay on plane - about 2:30 flight) from Feb 25-28 is $208US ($277CAD) return including 1 bag on CapeAir.
Ottawa to Boston (connection in Toronto - about 3:30 flight) from Feb 25-28 is $304CAD + $50 for 1 bag on Porter
Ottawa to Boston (direct - 1:30 flight) from Feb25-28 is $626CAD + $60 for 1 bag on AC

Click to expand...

FYI, in case anyone is curious. SkyWest will start flying from Ogdensburg on starting May 3.

Just to sample (May 16-May 20) (prices in CAD$) (note that these do not include Allegiant Air prices as I was looking at days / airports Allegiant doesn't fly to. My intention was to compare to Ottawa prices).

OGS-Chicago (ORD) (direct 2:30) : $403
YOW-Chicago (ORD) (United direct 2:22) : $785

OGS-DC (IAD) (direct 1:38) : $279
YOW-DC (IAD) (Porter (1 stop) 3:12) : $618

OGS-MIA (2 stops 11:41) : $1094
YOW-MIA (AC 1 stop 5:22) : $911

OGS-Orlando (MCO) (1 stops 5:18) : $422
YOW-Orlando (MCO) (American 1 stop 12:34) : $834

OGS-SFO (1 stop 10:42) : $982
YOW-SFO (American 1 stop 18:37) : $636

OGS-Dallas (DFW) (1 stop 8:28) : $784
YOW-Dallas (DFW) (United 1 stop 8:39) : $825

OGS-SEA (1 stop 10:49) : $833
YOW-SEA (WestJet 2 stops14:59) $679

It's not cheaper across the board but some of the prices are better from OGS and it's nice to have more options nearby (better price or better flights). Unscientifically, it appears that destinations that SkyWest flies direct are cheaper, connections might be more. Another benefit is it also gives more options if someone is flying on Allegiant Air from Ogdensburg and the flight is cancelled or missed (currently Allegiant only has a few flights per week so if it's cancelled because of weather or if you miss it, your only option is to wait several days or go to Ottawa, Syracuse or Plattsburgh)).

It's also important to note that this was for flights on specific dates and it might not be indicative of prices over a broader time.

Interesting pricing. As always, it pays to consider all your options when shopping for airfare. Thanks for that.