Originally Posted by lucius
The DOT sided with Northwest and UA and told American to wait its turn. They did, however, impose two requirements: (1) Northwest and UA must start service by November 10, 2004 or their slots would be forfeited, and (2) in light of UA's previous actions, UA would be required to use its slots for ORD-Shanghai service only.
And, I think AA got exactly what it wanted. Strategically speaking, AA's plan could very well have been to make LAX or DFW the point of origin for any new China routes. By getting the DOT to limit UA's use of its slots, AA now has options, JFK, LAX, or DFW. It always had those options, but the likelihood now increases that AA will ask now for some route authority out of LAX.
For UA flyers that cannot be a good sign. Because any new service by AA to Asia (particularly China) just bolsters Cathay's position at LAX. (The two can already codeshare on Cathay's services to mainland China.) For UA flyers therefore this may mean that the chances of ever seeing an LAX-HKG flight again are next to nothing.