Originally Posted by
navydevildoc
They don't exist on OneWorld or AS metal. That's my point, we are gaining a bunch of routes that really didn't work if you were looking to maximize your network benefits.
As for timing, they are insane if they don't line up the flights to maximize CONUS connection compatibility.
First of all, there would be no financial benefit for them to encourage cheap connections to Asia/Pacific if they could make more money on the individual segments and HI has a particular problem in that certain times of year are very crowded which means if you are going to sell out the mainland to HI sector at high fares, there are no seats left to sell for cheap connections. So that cheap flight through HNL you are looking for may end up being more expensive than the non-stop option. AA tried the HNL-SYD model and failed miserably at it and pulled out of the market completely for quite a few years before moving the flight to LAX. There are just not that many people connecting over HNL to the Asia Pacific and the cost conscious travelers from places like SYD to HNL are on JetStar and from Asia are on package tours with Asian carriers.
The other thing is that the DOJ could make AS's exit out of OW a condition for getting the merger approved. Is that a trade off you would be willing to take--the HA network and no OW?