Site Admin

Joined: 17 Jun 2005
Posts: 949
Location: Carmel, IN

As Indy mentioned in another forum, NW announced the long-anticipated BDL-AMS. Unfortunately, it departs BDL at 5:45 pm, and isn't timed at all with the IND-BDL flights. If NW is serious about IND as a hub, they'll stage the 757 here and have it depart around 3 pm and go IND-BDL-AMS. This would allow them to offer IND's first direct service to Europe. Still wouldn't be as good as nonstop service to Europe, but a step in the right direction whilst the new terminal is going up.

Site Admin

Joined: 17 Jun 2005
Posts: 949
Location: Carmel, IN

Here's NW's press release on their European expansion, including BDL-AMS.

http://www.nwa.com/corpinfo/newsc/2006/pr101120061711.html

Site Admin

Joined: 15 Jun 2005
Posts: 2316
Location: Indianapolis, IN

I was reading on airliners.net that a 2nd round of international expansion will be coming in the next couple of months. I just don't think the 757-200 has the legs. However they are removing seats giving 4" of additional leg room. Perhaps taking out the extra seats will be the difference needed for the 100 extra miles. Its only 100 miles more for IND-AMS versus DTW-DUS.

Member

Joined: 27 Jun 2005
Posts: 333
Location: St. Louis, MO

I bet DTW - DUS is going to be a nightmare for Northwest. They'll be stopping *SEVERAL* times I am sure for additional fuel thanks to the headwinds.

Site Admin

Joined: 17 Jun 2005
Posts: 949
Location: Carmel, IN

I noticed the bit about removing seats as well. You bet your arse they're not doing it for pax comfort. They're decreasing the weight of the plane to extend its range. Even with all that, however, they'd really be pushing the limits to go IND-ASM nonstop on a 757. That's why I think it's much more plausible that they would go IND-BDL-AMS and offer 1-stop "direct" service between Indy and Europe.

I expect the second round of expansions to be more nonstop European routes from DTW as well as more nonstop cities to AMS. Maybe Indy will be one of them, but I'll believe it when I see it.

Site Admin

Joined: 15 Jun 2005
Posts: 2316
Location: Indianapolis, IN

I'll believe it when I see it too. But then again I felt the same way about BDL-AMS.

Site Admin

Joined: 17 Jun 2005
Posts: 949
Location: Carmel, IN

Touche

I want it to happen, but I don't want to get my hopes up. If they do start offering IND-AMS, then I will switch my primary Skyteam account from CO to NW and begin accruing miles. I will also be on the plane to AMS the first chance I get.

Site Admin

Joined: 15 Jun 2005
Posts: 2316
Location: Indianapolis, IN

My goal is to be on the first flight to AMS from here. If it ever happens.