Wow, I guess we Americans are united in something after all - you are implying 300,00,000 of us are ignorant. Strikes me as a tiny bit hubristic, of not actually using the i-word myself. You must not be Australian, since tall poppies do not thrive there...
I quite agree about QF and UA - and UA is actually shedding more of its domestic routes so it can concentrate on its revenue-producing overseas routes, as part of its reorganisation plan to emerge from bankruptcy. Of course, they are attempting to shed their pension obligations as well. To our Governemnt (sic), of course.
AA is in a position where they have no aircraft to expand transoceanic service with, as you state. These will be most interesting times - but to recap, I doubt any particular nationality has a corner on ignorance, and I don't really think FT is the place to air those kinds of stereotypical feelings, since OMNI has closed.
Cheers,
[QUOTE=newcx12345]
Originally Posted by mAAine_flyer
\And in case you hadn't noticed, Australia remains a relatively small market (\QUOTE]
Ignorant Americans! Thinking US is the best and the biggest in everything!
The reason why AA can't come here is because of Governemnt control!
QF and UA = operating the duopoly on the Aust-USA routes.
Let me tell you this route is prob what kept UA still going! It is their most profitable route on the network!
They offer very little award inventory on these routes (unlike those Atlantic routes where there are like 10 million players in the competition).
They can rpetty much charge what they want on the route and it is NOT UNCOMMON to see the following on most flights:
F1A0J0D0I0Y0 etc...
Also AA does not have the right equipment to serve the route (ie. a 744)
A 777 might be OK but they are running out of those at the moment.