Here's the thing. Norwegian has been busy. They are selling really cheap tickets from smaller Northeastern airports like Stewart and Providence to Ireland.
I still think a 788 is too much plane for Memphis, maybe it isn't. A Norwegian 788 has 291 seats with 30 or so of those being their premium economy seats. They are using the new 737 Max at those small Northeast airports and they ain't reaching Memphis. Now, they have ordered the new A321neolr that's being built in Mobile. It's paper range is 4000nm. Now what the real world range is at Norwegian's specs of of around 220 seats is yet to be seen but Memphis may be a bit too far from London Gatwick.
Now, this article shows you where our main international tourist come from
http://www.commercialappeal.com/story/mo.../97861942/
So , it's not a question of if Memphis could fill up a plane but can it pull it's fair share at 2 to 3 times a week. At 500 to 600 r/t nonstop fares compared to over 1,000 on the US3 and their partners, I think it is a yes. I don't think folks realize how many people live within a 4/1/2 drive from Memphis, which would be a catchment area for marketing purposes. New Orleans used all the way out to the Florida Panhandle as their sales pitch that landed them the BA flight to London.
As I just mentioned, New Orleans landed a British Airways flight to Heathrow. I doubt they want to piss that away by chasing Norwegian's tail for a Gatwick flight. That is on top of the Condor flight to Frankfurt. I suspect BA is eyeing Nashville hard as well as St. Louis. That would play in favor of Memphis as well. Those NO flights consistently run around 900 to a 1,000 bucks. So, if a family of 4 driving to Memphis could still save big bucks making it way worth it. Memphians would drive to Nashville for Southwest flights, still do for some cities. Time to reverse stream like it did with LR and Jackson on Southwest flights.
MEM now has Global Entry which is a good thing to have. Plenty of space, too. May be in a sweet spot to not attract retaliatory pricing from Atlanta, Dallas and Charlotte. A base in Memphis for Europe and South America flights could produce some good frieght opportunities as well.
Let us hope the Airport is selling Memphis hard to them.
Another thing, Argentina and Brazil have now allowed foreign ownership of domestic airlines. Norwegian is setting up shop in Argentina and will likely do the same in Brazil. That article me tons Brazil being on the international list. With stays of 3 to 4 days. That works perfectly for 2x weekly type routes even with them visiting other cities. You just use one plane to service 2 to 3 cities that have the pattern that article me toned like Nashville, New Orleans, and Memphis do and allow them to book open jaw at cheap fares. All cities win.
Another thing is getting Viking Cruise Line some boats and on the Mississippi, they will bring the Euros to the River along with their American clientele for cruising and with it being usually one way affairs, that works for Memphis as well.
Now, Boeing is talking about a new plane type made for middle of market. Meaning a plane that seats between 200 and 240 depending on seat layout, twin aisle and with a range of 5,000nn or slightly more. If they do it, it'll be mid 2020's but it would be perfect for an outfit like Norwegian to hit the Memphises, OKCs, Louisvilles of the world from Europe and South America.
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Cheap way to London via Memphis
