Originally Posted by
kebosabi
Sigh, yet another instance where AA backs off too quickly not allowing the market to develop, only to kick itself in the groin years later while the others continue to nurture and expand their international markets.
Remember how AA saw Asia as an "low value market?"
But UA and DL (NW) who decided to stick to places like NRT, ICN, HKG, PEK, PVG, TPE despite the turbulent times now all have an established and brand name recognition, strong relationships with local businesses and a vast pool of airline alliance members from Asia.
That's the truth. I think part of the problem was AA was attempting to fly the route with a plane that was too large. I know they launched the route on a 777, but with the lower margin nature of the route (according to a friend who works at UA) means that AA probably should have put a 763 on it.
Of course the other problem is that AA is short of widebody capacity, especially after retiring the A300's without replacing them.