Two gates at Dallas’ Love Field that American was required to give up as part of its merger deal will go to Virgin America, which will shift its Dallas operations there from DFW. They’re adding flights between Love and SFO, LAX, and Washington Reagan National and New York Laguardia, and eventually Chicago O’Hare.
Love Field gates are valuable because the airport is much closer to downtown than DFW. Other airlines may also benefit as arrangements are made for use of the gates when Virgin is not using them to capacity.
Southwest, which already has 16 of 20 gates wanted the two additional, as did Delta, but since the purpose of bumping American was to increase competition, well…. Meanwhile, the decision will force Delta to make some refunds or switches—they were already selling tickets on flights they would have run from Love. DETAILS
