How the Flight Cuts by USAir Are Apt to Affect Travelers

Travelers who fly into several of California’s regional airports could face delay, inconvenience and higher fares starting May 2, the day that USAir is abandoning six suburban airports.

On that day, USAir will eliminate flights going into and out of Burbank, Ontario, Palm Springs, San Jose, Oakland and Orange County’s John Wayne airport.

Here are answers to some of the questions that travelers might have about how the flight cutbacks will affect travel schedules, fares and frequent fliers.

Question: What happens to passengers whose flights are canceled?

Answer: The cuts don’t go into effect until May 2, so passengers have plenty of time to arrange for new flights.

USAir said its operators will reserve seats on other airlines for passengers scheduled to fly on or after May 2, if they call to reschedule.

If the passenger has already paid for the ticket, the fare will be remitted directly from USAir to the new carrier, said Larry Pickett, a USAir spokesman.

Q: What happens to non-refundable tickets?

A: USAir said it has been allowing passengers to cancel non-refundable tickets booked before Jan. 16 and receive “credit” for future travel.

The policy was instituted because of the war in the Persian Gulf, but it will also extend to those affected by the USAir flight cutbacks, Pickett said.

The company has not decided how to deal with paid passengers who want refunds for travel after May 2, he said. That decision will be made soon.

Those affected can contact their travel agents or a USAir reservations operator, possibly as early as this week, he added.

Q: Will air fares rise?

A: It is impossible to predict exactly what will happen to fares. However, eliminating USAir from some of these markets will significantly reduce competition, which could lead to higher fares.

At one time, it cost more than $120 for the lowest round-trip ticket between Burbank and San Francisco, versus today’s rock-bottom rate of about $40 for a round trip.

But since it is possible that other carriers will step into the void left by USAir, such dramatic hikes may be avoided.

Notably, some carriers expect at least modest rate hikes to compensate for increasingly volatile fuel costs related to the Gulf War.

Q: Will these cuts make it impossible to get to some cities by air?

A: No. Although USAir is a major player at several regional airports--including Burbank--it is not the only carrier serving any of these locations.

Those flying the heavily traveled California corridor--which stretches from San Diego to San Francisco--may find little disruption, in fact, since there are so many other carriers that offer a wide array of flights and flight times.

Q: What routes will be most affected?

A: The biggest impact will be felt by those wishing to travel between California’s regional airports and a few destinations in the South and East.

Currently, for example, USAir offers three of the five daily flights into Pittsburgh, Pa., from Burbank.

Unless another carrier picks up the slack, passengers will find it impossible to get a direct flight. And they may be forced to fly later in the day.

Those trying to travel between Burbank and Charlotte, N.C., will also find far fewer flights.

And the same can be said for air travel between other local airports--including Palm Springs and Ontario--and Charlotte and Pittsburgh.

Q: How will this affect frequent fliers?

A: USAir frequent-flier miles will continue to accrue for those traveling between soon-to-be-discontinued destinations. But those who travel primarily between California’s regional airports might want to join new frequent flier programs.

Q: Will new carriers enter the market because of USAir’s departure?

A: The door is certainly open for such new arrivals, but it is too soon to tell. Southwest Airlines is rumored to be looking at some of USAir’s abandoned destinations, but the company has yet to announce changes spurred by the USAir decision.

However, there are some factors that might hamper new carriers, including noise restrictions at many of these regional airports and already stiff competition.