Originally Posted by
pdxasflyer
How do we know there would be fuel surcharges on awards? Just because BA charges them, or is this a UK thing? If we don't know, I'd hopefully assume no fuel surcharges, AS dumps BA for that reason, and picks up VS as a new partner.
That said, I smell a conflict: it would seem the natural, logical progression is to extend this JV between DL and VS to also include VX. How would AS take respond to that?
Uh, a JV involving domestic competitors (DL and VX)? Not going to happen when the competitors both fly JFK-LAX/SFO as well as LAX-SFO. The DOJ would shut that down so fast with an antitrust lawsuit it would make your head spin (note that ATI/JV status is ONLY allowed for routes outside the USA... and US doesn't get to participate in the *A JV that UA has going). The only way DL and VX hook up that way is a merger.
(Note that AS and DL don't have a JV.... and AS and DL don't overlap as much on premium-heavy routes like JFK-California.)