Originally Posted by
Aussienarelle
I find it interesting that all these international airlines have non-stop flights from SAN: AC, BA, WK (Edelweiss), JL and LH. I do fly these airlines as a non-stop is very attractive and they do not seem to have an issue filling up the planes. So if SEA is being considered for new routes, then hopefully UA will also consider SAN (speaking as someone who flies from SAN)
I think SAN perfectly encapsulates the issue the US3 have. BA or LH or JL can sell you a one stop trip to anyplace in their system. And if you are a premium traveler, they can sell it to you all in J (or PE). That flight is not being run for SAN-LHR, SAN-NRT, or SAN-FRA, there is not enough traffic for that.
UA (or DL or AA) can't add say SAN-LHR, as they can't connect at either end, and they can't count on partner feed either. Nor do the JVs particularly help here. Lets say I want to go SAN-Sapporo or SAN-Harbin. Well UA will want me to go SAN-SFO-NRT-xxx. JAL can offer SAN-NRT-xxx.