Well I am pretty excited about this merger. Still many things have to be worked out but there are many possibilities that could work with the new US Airways.

First remaining in *A I have no doubt that US will remain in *A

I think and I hope US will still have it's marketing agreement with Qantas. They have been partnered for many years.

Here is where things get interesting. The partnership with BA and HP. From what I have heard BA and HP have a good relationship. Now that America West Holdings will be manly steering the ship of US Airways we could see a continued code share with them. Parker being CEO I am sure will try to do everything possible to keep his agreement with BA. (We can only hope.) Would be very cool if US Airways stayed part of *A and had Qantas and BA as marketing partners. The new US Airways might be the most flexible airline out there if they do things right. Yes US did have a partnership with BA a few years back however, this is mostly going to be a new management team now and BA and HP are "friends" of sorts. Many cards are at play here and it will be very interesting to see how things turn out over the next few months.

DCA slots, US Airways has the most slots out of DCA. HP has 2 exempt slots to LAS and PHX. During the AA TWA merger AA lost it's slots when it acquired TWA because they were TWA slots. However, since America West Holdings owns the slots I am hoping that these will be retained. I am sure with many of the investors that are pouring money into the new US Airways they are going to want to make sure that US does not get downsized(if at all) at key airports: IE DCA, LGA ect.

Some people have said that United might throw US Airways out of *A (I have read on other threads). I don't think that will happen. United has major pull in the *A as we all know however, there are other airlines that have say in this as well. I think *A will keep US Airways because as it looks now, who knows how much longer UA is going to be around. They don't have a plan and *A does not want to be left without a USA domestic partner. If UAL were to fold and US had left the *A. There really would be no market in the USA for them.

I also think that the America West name will not go away in the sunset. Like what US Airways has done in the past, we could very well see for PHX and LAS express operations US Airways Express operated by America West Airlines. US has done the same thing with Piedmont, PSA and Alliganey. The express operations of course would be where express flying is needed out of PHX, LAS, LAX ect.

There are many things that could happen.

T

I hope you are correct! ^

I agree with most of that, however I wouldn't be surprised if the DOT took away some beyond perimeter slots. (HP actually has slots for 5 RTs) US should offer to give up 5 or more within perimeter slots in order to keep those 5 PHX/LAS slots; however I still expect the DOT to do something so that the #1 slot holding carrier at DCA is also not the #1 beyond perimeter slot holder.

Some people have said that United might throw US Airways out of *A (I have read on other threads). I don't think that will happen. United has major pull in the *A as we all know however, there are other airlines that have say in this as well. I think *A will keep US Airways because as it looks now, who knows how much longer UA is going to be around. They don't have a plan and *A does not want to be left without a USA domestic partner. If UAL were to fold and US had left the *A. There really would be no market in the USA for them.Each member of the Star Alliance has an absolute veto over the admission of other carriers from the same nation, under the terms of the Alliance. So it is not what "Star Alliance" wants in this case, but what is best for United.

And as stated in that thread in the UA forum, there are many, many reasons for UA to want to keep the new US in the Alliance.

I highly doubt there will be a deperture from *A. Quite simply, would Air Canada, one of *A's original members, invest in an airline that would get kicked out of the mix? Not a chance.

I think they've already thought of this and most likely even discussed with UA.

Exactly climmy. I seriously doubt US Airways will be kicked out. Like I said in my OP US might just get the best of both worlds. Now wouldn't that be something?

I would love the chance to redeem my US miles for BA First Class awards, like US FF's could back in the early '90s when US and BA had a partnership of their own. But would BA agree to partner with a Star Alliance carrier?

Exactly climmy. I seriously doubt US Airways will be kicked out. Like I said in my OP US might just get the best of both worlds. Now wouldn't that be something?

Given the rather checkered history between US and BA, I don't see it happening. I also think that the rest of OneWorld (notably AA) might be a bit peeved if BA was codesharing with a not-small member of Star.

It hinges on United as to whether US/HP says in Star. My guess is they probably do, but that is what it is--just a guess.

Given the rather checkered history between US and BA, I don't see it happening. I also think that the rest of OneWorld (notably AA) might be a bit peeved if BA was codesharing with a not-small member of Star.

It hinges on United as to whether US/HP says in Star. My guess is they probably do, but that is what it is--just a guess.


Yes Clue US and BA did have a checkered history. However, US is not really running the ship after the merger anymore. HP will be. Anyhow mine is just a guess too. I hope something good comes out of this. The waiting begins.