Apologies if this has already been reported - but was reading a report today on the e-travelblackboard. Something else pointing to AA falling faster than the rest of the pack, which is not good news.

"Major United States airlines have begun reporting their December traffic figures, marking the end of a year to forget for the aviation industry, with most carriers seeing a plunge in passengers.

Of the major carriers American Airlines saw the largest drop in traffic with a 7.6% in passengers boarded with 85.7 million passengers in 2009, Delta Air Lines followed with a 6.2% drop accounting for 161.0 million passengers boarded, while United Airlines saw 81.4 million revenue passengers boarded or a 5.8 drop.

Surprisingly of the large carriers, Continental Airlines managed to grow its passenger numbers by 1.8% for the year "

Article here: http://www.etravelblackboard.us/show...e.asp?id=93108

The question I am asking is why? I imagine that the bulk of the passengers are Y class passengers and I am assuming it is because of AA's lack in improving its Y class service, especially long-haul. Whatever the reason it is sad to see. With today's reports indicating JAL very likely to file bankrupcty, all we need is for AA to head that way.