Originally Posted by
SEA_Tigger
SEA-NRT is unlikely to leave for a few reasons:
- While NW has the MS contract, there are a lot of other companies in the Puget Sound area who have ties with Asia. If UA pulls out, all that traffic goes to NW.
- SEA-NRT takes connecting and O&D traffic to/from DEN.
- Loads are seasonal, but yields aren't [they're strong year-round].
- Removing it forces DEN and SEA traffic through SFO and LAX, requiring UA to operate more connecting flights and using gates.
- Nostalgia. SEA-NRT was UA's first international service. [
]
I really hope you are right. Since I often hear it is easy to upgrade (I've had pretty good luck), I'm always worried that it's a low revenue route. Also it seems that NW may expand its sea presence, forcing UA to possible retreat.