US a "low cost" carrier like Spirit?
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2007
Programs: AA EXP, Amex Plat
Posts: 572
US a "low cost" carrier like Spirit?
I found this article interesting. It referred to US as being a "low cost" carrier and lumped it in with airlines like Spirit, Frontier, and Allegiant. I think I'd still consider US as one of the majors.
http://www.cnn.com/2012/06/07/travel...html?hpt=tr_c2
http://www.cnn.com/2012/06/07/travel...html?hpt=tr_c2
#2
Join Date: Aug 2010
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Posts: 335
US a "low cost" carrier like Spirit?
Their stock symbol is LCC (Low Cost Carrier). Follows them from the America West days.
#3
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Florida
Programs: US CP, MR Gold, SPG Gold, Hyatt Plat
Posts: 441
I was sitting next to one of US' pilot instructers from JAX-CLT. He was telling me that US is seen as a legacy carrier but in fact their crew costs are $50 less p/h than Southwest...So despite the cost of their EU routes right now I suppose the article is accurate...
Go Gators
Go Gators
#4
Join Date: Jan 2012
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Posts: 2,242
I was sitting next to one of US' pilot instructers from JAX-CLT. He was telling me that US is seen as a legacy carrier but in fact their crew costs are $50 less p/h than Southwest...So despite the cost of their EU routes right now I suppose the article is accurate...
Go Gators
Go Gators
#5
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: CLT
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 709
I was sitting next to one of US' pilot instructers from JAX-CLT. He was telling me that US is seen as a legacy carrier but in fact their crew costs are $50 less p/h than Southwest...So despite the cost of their EU routes right now I suppose the article is accurate...
Go Gators
Go Gators
I think most would consider US a "traditional" legacy carrier. They have First/Business class, they have a traditional frequent flyer program, they run a legacy-type schedule/route model (hub and spoke with multiple frequencies per day between each city pair), etc. Just because their cost structure is lower than other legacies doesn't make them a low cost carrier.
#6
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2001
Location: LAX; AA EXP, MM; HH Gold
Posts: 31,789
US is a low-wage airline, but not a low-cost airline. In 2011, AA had a lower CASM (ex-fuel and ex-labor) than did US, and that was before any bankruptcy-induced lowering of AA expenses. On an all-in basis, US had a much lower CASM than did AA because of its very low wages.
#7
In Memoriam, FlyerTalk Evangelist
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#9
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: The views I express here are not necessarily supported by any airline or codeshare partners, nor do I represent their views and/or opinions. They are my own OPINIONS dont like them dont read them.....
Posts: 1,615
Make no mistake about it, there are those in Tempe that realize the LCC mantra was the wrong route. IF the AA/US merger happens, thankfully you will never see the letters LCC ever again!!