MilesBuzz! - Legend Folds

Legend suspended service at 9:30 Saturday Morning December 2, 2000. Several Airlines are excepting their tickets.

[This message has been edited by milesrus (edited 12-02-2000).]

Too bad. Everyone I know raved about the service. Below is the email I received. Listed are the airlines who will be honoring Legend tickets.
*****************

December 2, 2000
11:00 am

Statement of T. Allan McArtor
President and CEO, Legend Airlines

We apologize for the inconveniences we are causing our loyal customers. We
did everything within our means to continue to operate while we secured
financing.

We are voluntarily and TEMPORARILY suspending scheduled service while we
secure capital.

Our non-re-occurring start up costs is the primary reason that we are in
this temporary financial situation as well as the dramatic increase in the
price of fuel. In addition, 3 years of legal fees and continuing litigation
contributed as well. Beyond those costs items, our CASM (Cost per available
seat mile) are in line or lower than industry benchmarks for our type
aircraft.

We believed we had secured additional funding, and when the funds were not
made available, our only alternative was to temporarily suspend operations
until funds could be secured. The tightening in the credit markets and
private equity as well as the time of the year with the holidays delayed our
capital raising.

Our intent is to resume flying as quickly as we can.

We continue to contact all carriers to see who will accept our tickets and
will make an announcement as more information can be confirmed. The
following airlines are honoring Legend tickets:

American West
Continental
Continental Express
Delta
Delta Connection, ASA
Frontier
Midwest Express
National Airlines

For passengers holding E-Tickets for Saturday and Sunday, please see a
Legend Airlines Ticket counter to have your E-Ticket printed to paper before
contacting one of the above airlines. For customers holding tickets beyond
December 03, please do not come to the airport today. If you are holding a
paper ticket from a travel agency, please contact one of the above listed
airlines for reservations.

We will be updating our web site and media as soon as we confirm additional
information.

Very unfortunate. Really liked Legend.

I have tickets on Legend LAX-DAL Dec 23-26. Called all airlines - HP, CO, DL. Only standby travel is allowed for a Legend ticket holder. No chance that I'll be risking standby travel around XMAS time.

Gosh... I am sure American Airlines is very upset about this http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif

I have tickets on Legend LAX-DAL Dec 23-26. Called all airlines - HP, CO, DL. Only standby travel is allowed for a Legend ticket holder.[/B]

Before purchasing new tickets, I would recommend waiting until Monday. It's possible that accurate information has not made it through the proper channels just yet, and even if it has, it could change in the next couple of days.

Poor choice of name... cuz now it really IS a "Legend" http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif

Wow and just yesterday I was reading Randy's article about the double miles for "life" http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/frown.gif sadly it was a short life.

I guess there go my miles... I didn't have many with Legend, but every one counts... http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/frown.gif

By the way Mr. McArtor it's America West not American West!

From day one they were a fraud, they lied to me about the Delta Miles, then they posted numerous flights that were not even in the schedule to say sold out, so people would think they were doing well. They did not have any meals that were hot because of their oven problems, their food was substandard and on my flight they had plastic glasses. Six months after flying them I still don't have a statement from them.

Friend had a ticket from DAL-LAX for tomorrow so I took her to Love Field tonight to get rebooked on DL. They were so helpful at Legend and wrote out a ticket for DL tomorrow. Since the DL counter is next to theirs, the Delta agent confirmed my friend so no standby involved. I hope they do come back soon.

And AA IS accepting their tickets.

Sydneyjb:

You are both wrong, it's America's Worst!

Just read the following, posted at 3:51 p.m. CST, on rec.travel.air:

"I just returned from Legend's Dallas terminal to get my electronic ticket for Wednesday converted to paper. The folks working the counter told us that the airline filed for chapter 7 bankruptcy this morning.
They hope that will make them look better to investors who might want to BUY the airlines for 34 million."

I find it very odd that employees would be authorized to give out this information before any press release has been issued. I've searched, and I can find no news since yesterday.

He was right, except this says Chapter 11.
http://dailynews.yahoo.com/h/nm/20001203/bs/airlines_legend_dc_2.html

Its too bad American Airlines didn't want Legend to play in their sandbox. I've flown Legend, and unfortunately we may have lost one of the better airlines that was flying domestically. Hopefully these Chapter 11 procedings enables Legend to fly again.

If not may American Airlines face Southwest in head to head competition from here on out :P

Originally posted by Colin:
Very unfortunate. Really liked Legend.

I have tickets on Legend LAX-DAL Dec 23-26. Called all airlines - HP, CO, DL. Only standby travel is allowed for a Legend ticket holder. No chance that I'll be risking standby travel around XMAS time.

That's not "all airlines." N7 (National Airlines) also serves the route through LAS (though from DFW instead of DAL, of course).

Just received this from Expedia, pretty funny:

Dear Perry,

Right now, selected Legend Airlines flights are 10% off.
Legend has become the stuff of legends for offering you
the luxuries of first class at coach prices. Perks include a
private executive terminal at Dallas Love Field, reclining
leather seats in spacious two-by-two rows, and celebrity
chef-crafted meals served on china. Book by December 15,
2000. http://redir.cq0.net/r/default.asp?R=000001a63000993f6

------------------
joyfully subversive

Is Delta still flying out of the Legend terminal at DAL?

Yes Delta is flying out of the Terminal. Legend Airlines does not own that terminal, hopefully somebody else will start using it

This is the one "new" airline FF program that I joined although I never took a Legend flight. The collapse of Legend only re-enforces my view that I should stick with the major airlines and not take chances on new carriers, no matter how sweet a deal (double miles for life) they may offer.