Originally Posted by
lokijuh
Very interesting all the "SQ needs UA", "UA doesn't need SQ" comments, basically the theory is SQ needs UA to support their US flights to feed passengers across the US. Yet SQ's flights do the same at the SIN end, feed pax from SE Asia & the subcontinent to SFO and LAX (ie. particularly the west coast).
Since I was one of the posters making a similar comment, I feel the need to defend. As you can tell from spending time in the UA forum, it isn't out of any feelings of superiority of UA (quite the opposite actually, as most, if not all, UA fliers would rather fly SQ any day of the week). Without all the information, we can only guess that UA has more favorable terms with NH, which can provide most of the feed necessary. Granted this leaves many destinations in S.E Asia without JV codeshares for UA. Whatever terms SIA was/is asking for, it must not be enough to entice UA. SIN just isn't the logical connection point for very many destinations. And with SIN itself, UA has shown willingness to serve with its own metal.
But fair point, shouldn't take this to the next level and conclude that SQ needs UA. It's clearly able to get feed from other carriers with VX and B6. Except for maybe IAH where UA has a stronghold.