Originally Posted by
MIDWESTERNFLYER
Ah I see, so we are going to overlook the fact that AA has hubs in 7 of the top 8 largest Metropolitan Areas. Not to mention, JFK and LAX are the two largest O&D centers in the country, one of which UA doesn't serve and the second, if you are trying to go east of the Mississippi the UA LAX "hub" is severely underserved.
All in all, if you are comparing DL and UA, UA has hubs in larger cities. But comparing UA to AA, UA does not "by far" have the best hub locations, especially considering UA has hubs in slightly fewer markets and sometimes hubs at airports that some may view as less ideal.(IAD vs. DCA, EWR vs. LGA)
AA has a lot of company at LAX and JFK. And they aren’t running service from LGA or DCA to the ME, Europe, India, like UA gets at EWR and/or IAD, the former being in New Jersey notwithstanding.
Yes UA has the best hubs - AA and DL would trade in a heartbeat. You want Miami, Charlotte, Detroit.... v SFO? Please.
Now if your metric is who has the best lift to LIT or BOI then maybe the order changes. But real flights to places that matter it isn’t a debate at all.