Originally Posted by B6Bliss
I think they have more leverage now that they have America West backing them. While HP certainly wasn't a big player in the CLT market, it may be an incentive for some business travelers to stay with US, as the combined network is so good. Also, US downsized PIT, and has made some adjustments in PHL. With fares as high as they are in CLT there is a lot up for grabs. If JetBlue makes significant progress in stealing business travelers US has a lot to lose. CLT not as big an o/d market as PHL, but the yields are wonderful. If a viable CLT hub isn't possible due to low-fare competitors, then what will be the weight on the other side of the barbell? US has resorted to CLT to add service and make the real money. They will fight, and I am worried that memories of Atlanta have been erased from Neeleman's mind.
Atlanta would be a little different then Charlotte would be. Jetblue never flew to NY from Atlanta. Only California. If these flights come to fruition, Jetblue would have established customers in both New York and Boston. And I am sure there would be articles in all the papers publicly endorsing Jetblue. (Never ceases to amaze me how they get newspapers to eat out of their hand. Not blaming them, it is just impressive how they are still everyone's favorite airline.)