Originally Posted by
in_27D
Well, the United flights (IAD/ORD) are generally pretty full, even at their high prices. With the combined United/Continental they will have direct service to ORD,IAD,IAH,EWR from Brazil with (eventually) flat bed business class on all flights.
Unless there is an increase in flight capacity from Brazil, I don't see United losing substantial business. Perhaps people will shift to TAM and book codeshares on United?
Good point. Brazil has yet to see its airports expanded to increase flight capacity. We are working on it right now (he have a World Cup and Olympic Games ahead), but it seems it will still take some years till it's done.
As for TAM, in my experience their customer service is a deal breaker. Their website is terrible. And booking codeshares on United is an impossible task. But I agree regional fliers in Brazil - that's not my case - benefit a lot from their mileage program.
Now I don't know what to do with my Amex points... unless I quit flying United and shift to Delta.