hear from a.net and luchtzak.be
CO might have by summer 2006 a second BRU-EWR flight

it will be 2x757 or 757/762 i.o the existing 764

What interested me most about the thread on a.net is the strong rumor that there will be a major cut in service to AMS (the early flight from EWR and the flight from IAH will be cancelled). Unknown whether a 752 from EWR will be added as a partial replacement. Or, maybe the CLE-LGW flight will finally be moved to AMS, perhaps as a one-stop from IAH.

Doesn't this make sense? KLM has service to AMS from lots of US cities -- but it means that AMS isn't a "premium" market for direct service. CO can always expand its codeshare on KLM metal, while limited CO ops (thru EWR) services the corporate contracts, etc. - and frees the 764 for more profitable service elsewhere (like CDG in lieu of 777).

I tend to agree with you, but this does seem a bit abrupt. I would have imagined a downgrade to 752 before the cancellation.

Or maybe CO is backing away from SkyTeam. Maybe CO is looking to become a member of the Star Alliance??

AMS cuts make sense. In the past, KL was the only European partner, and outside of non-stops feed into AMS with codeshares out of there was the ony way to get to secondary markets.

Now with SkyTeam and CO's new direct services into many secondary markets, plus AF's CDG hub, it makes sense to reposition some of the AMS service to CDG or reduce it altogether.

I've heard that BRU does very well for CO, as for AMS, I know that CO is trying to get into ROT.

if CO gets ROT, they could very well divert some metal from AMS.

And those 747A orders are just around the corner...

-Vincent

It is just that AF does not accept CO as part of SkyTeam. I am finding that CO Elite Plus can not use AF lounges in TXL and GRU if flying CO metal. Maybe AF is still taking it out on CO because of the Concorde crash, but for whatever reason - CO appears to be the dark horse of SkyTeam.

CO already flies to CDG from EWR (2 x day) and IAH. So cutting AMS - a major SkyTeam member - does that make sense? Most agree AMS is the better connection point.

Cutting AMS does nothing to hurt AF, maybe it hurts KLM - but then again AF wouldn't be so opposed to that would they; despite thier "intention" to maintain both brand names one wonders what will happen after the required period is over.

Continental has no alliance left to join. they don't have too much of a choice at this point. They'll have to learn to deal with AF...

-Vincent

They would if UA shut down. And CO picked up major parts of UA. If you see CO starting more fights to FRA (like IAH-FRA) - then start thinking.

With oil at $70 a barrel (and projections to $100 in a few years) - something is going to happen. DL shutdown, UA sold off, etc. Of course if DL shutdown - then who is left for SkyTeam. Remember DL beat CO for the AF alliance a few years back.

As much as we would hope UA and DL are most likely not going anywhere. DL can file Chapter 11 and pull a UA; as for UA it's just a matter of time until the pull out of banrupcy.

Consolidation is inveitable and it has begun - HP/US for example.

If you want to play the "What If" game:


Are they going to sell the Pacific Operation?
Prolly Not - they make money there Im sure.

Are they going to sell LHR ?
Prolly Not - if everyone hasn't learned from the PA/TW mistakes in doing so no one will.


DEN?
CO doesnt want it unless they lower landing fees.
LAX?
CO can build it up on it's own without UA.
Planes?
Doubt it, CO like new stuff.


They'll pull a UA and just operate under it as long as they can or until they can emerge.

If they have to sell stuff off, what would CO want?
ATL? JFK?
Doubtful.
European Routes
Possibly.

In keeping with that thinking.

We will see consolidation, but aong majors I think we will see AA, UA, DL, NW, CO and the new US around for some time to come.

Six majors is reasonable to have with a variety of small carriers still around.

-Vincent

Plus the great majoriy of STAR Airline's have three classes of International Service, including United...

-Vincent

Regardless potential mergers or close downs, I admire CO for their calculated planning of operations. I think a reduction of service and an increase in code share opportunities makes good sense. However, it would suck if they start driving everything to CDG as that place truely does suck to transfer.

And, maybe it will be good things for CLE - though they will need to carefully examine our Customs and Immigrations facilities before they add too much capacity over the Atlantic. I think a 762 one-stop from IAH makes good sense.

Denial of lounge entry can be just plain ill trained lounge agents. If you pop over to the Flying Blue board, FB Plats who have a combined FB/Amex Platinum card have been denied entry to President's Club because the card was not on the chart.

Perhaps yoiu're Lifetime Platinum card was accidently left off the picture of cards sent out to other SkyTeam Carriers....

I think its just terrible how they are trained to loook at a chart.

Training should be...

SkyTem Elite Plus on International ITN (if you include Canada is beyond me - last trip to Canada, they let me in after some reasoning), International Business or Internation First Cabin, or Memebership Card = Lounge Access

None of this "if the card looks like this" BS.

-Vincent