Originally Posted by
eponymous_coward
AA has a transatlantic JV with BA where they share profits, so really, they couldn't care less if you take BA instead of AA. In fact, I suspect they would rather have XXX-PHL-YYY traffic be places like MEM, SYR, CVG and BUF for the XXX that DON'T get BA service as opposed to WAS or NYC that do. The idea is that PHL is the connecting hub for Atlantic traffic, and JFK and IAD are handling local O/D Atlantic traffic for the JV that goes to or connects at LHR. In that case you're really not out to optimize LGA/DCA-PHL-YYY compared to IAD/JFK-LHR-YYY.
Totally get that logic; however, as someone who lives about 7 minutes from DCA, IAD is simply not convenient. I can't imagine I'm the only person in the DC area who thinks the same and I highly doubt AA/BA is going to change that behavior anytime soon (regardless of a metro line that will take an hour plus to get me to IAD if it's working).