If UA/CO merge, what happens to UA Intl' First and E+?
Apr 22, 2009, 9:38 pm
#1
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If UA/CO merge, what happens to UA Intl' First and E+?
Slightly random question. What would happen to UA's Intl' First product and E+ if CO and UA merged (or UA filed for Chapter 7 and was liquidated)? Would CO install E+ on it's aircraft? What about UA's Intl' 3-class config? Would CO add the Intl' F product to it's fleet or do away with UA's config? What about the domestically configured 777's? Would CO turn them into Intl' version? Would they make the 752's Intl' also? What would CO do with the UA 747's? Was reading through past merger speculation threads and was not able to find anything. I am really hoping to get some good opinions/ideas about what would happen. Just realized (although I'm sure they've thought about it inside the company) that no one has really talked about it. CO would go away from it's all Boeing fleet so what would happen? Would CO order new a/c to replace UA's (considering they have NONE on order and have the oldest fleet) or rather refurbish them? Would the a/c receive LiveTV or what? Answers are greatly appreciated.
Apr 23, 2009, 5:43 am
#2
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None of us actually know the answers to any of these questions. 
My guess is that the 3-cabin environment would stay on limited routes. Not so sure about E+; it would depend quite a bit on the circumstances of the change in ownership.
My guess is that the 3-cabin environment would stay on limited routes. Not so sure about E+; it would depend quite a bit on the circumstances of the change in ownership.
Apr 23, 2009, 7:05 am
#4
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I certainly don't think it is "baseless" speculation. It was a real possibility at one time and, if "things" change, may be in the future.
Apr 23, 2009, 7:11 am
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I agree rumors about a merger have popped up, but I do think that discussing the future of UA Int'l F and E+ would be purely speculative since there is absolutely no way of knowing on what basis the merger might occur (e.g. CO and UA could merge into a new "United Airlines" with all the CO fleet converted to UA specs. Not likely perhaps, but just as speculative as anything else).
Apr 23, 2009, 7:53 am
#6
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Apr 23, 2009, 8:10 am
#7
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[QUOTE=CLEtraveller23;11628754]Slightly random question. What would happen to UA's Intl' First product and E+ if CO and UA merged (or UA filed for Chapter 7 and was liquidated)? QUOTE]
One thing is certain, there is a GREAT difference between what would happen in a merger vs Chapter 7. Chpater 7 would likely not involve any non Boeing aircraft.
With all that said. The fat lady is still probably a long ways off from singing.
One thing is certain, there is a GREAT difference between what would happen in a merger vs Chapter 7. Chpater 7 would likely not involve any non Boeing aircraft.
With all that said. The fat lady is still probably a long ways off from singing.
Apr 23, 2009, 8:12 am
#8
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Please, not another thread....
Meantime, if you want idle speculation, how about:
1) VS & BD get acquired by LH as their UK division / hub
2) the US Government bows to international pressure, ( it figures it can't pay its bail out debts and has to yield in some areas on Free Trade ) and allows majority foreign ownership of US carriers
3) rather than combine, the ailing UA & CO become operating divisions of LH
So we all get 3+ class international flights operated by a mix including 747-8I's....
PS - is VS connected to Galactic in any way apart from the Virgin brand name?
Apr 23, 2009, 8:21 am
#9
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Please, not another thread....
Meantime, if you want idle speculation, how about:
1) VS & BD get acquired by LH as their UK division / hub
2) the US Government bows to international pressure, ( it figures it can't pay its bail out debts and has to yield in some areas on Free Trade ) and allows majority foreign ownership of US carriers
3) rather than combine, the ailing UA & CO become operating divisions of LH
So we all get 3+ class international flights operated by a mix including 747-8I's....
PS - is VS connected to Galactic in any way apart from the Virgin brand name?
Meantime, if you want idle speculation, how about:
1) VS & BD get acquired by LH as their UK division / hub
2) the US Government bows to international pressure, ( it figures it can't pay its bail out debts and has to yield in some areas on Free Trade ) and allows majority foreign ownership of US carriers
3) rather than combine, the ailing UA & CO become operating divisions of LH
So we all get 3+ class international flights operated by a mix including 747-8I's....
PS - is VS connected to Galactic in any way apart from the Virgin brand name?
Why not have Ryanair of Ireland acquire PrivatAir of Switzerland and form a new entity known as PrivatRyanair...
Apr 23, 2009, 8:47 am
#10
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The value of threads like this to me, as someone who flies both CO & UA, is to make clear to CO management (through CO Insider and any others) the importance of UA features such as E+ that we hope would be continued in a merged entity. Perhaps this thread should be combined with similar ones but I don't understand the efforts of some posters to cut off all discussion of this issue through snarky comments and condescending remarks. If the topic doesn't interest you, don't read it and move on.
Apr 23, 2009, 8:52 am
#11
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The value of threads like this to me, as someone who flies both CO & UA, is to make clear to CO management (through CO Insider and any others) the importance of UA features such as E+ that we hope would be continued in a merged entity. Perhaps this thread should be combined with similar ones but I don't understand the efforts of some posters to cut off all discussion of this issue through snarky comments and condescending remarks. If the topic doesn't interest you, don't read it and move on.
I agree that we should constantly remind CO management how important this is to customers.
I think the only issue here is the premise of what would happen should a merger take place. Sure E+ is terrific, but since the terms of a potential merger are unknowable, there are too many possibilities to discuss cogently.
Now, I think a thread entitled something like "What features of UA Do You Think CO Should Adopt/Keep in Case of a Merger" would be an easier premise to wrap our fingers around.
Apr 23, 2009, 8:54 am
#12
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The value of threads like this to me, as someone who flies both CO & UA, is to make clear to CO management (through CO Insider and any others) the importance of UA features such as E+ that we hope would be continued in a merged entity. Perhaps this thread should be combined with similar ones but I don't understand the efforts of some posters to cut off all discussion of this issue through snarky comments and condescending remarks. If the topic doesn't interest you, don't read it and move on.
OK so lets discuss what might be if by chance .000000000000001% the US Govt allows a Foreign Carrier to own 100% of a US Carrier. After all, according to You anyting is possible so id like to be ready for anything, of cause you have the option of not taking part inthat discussion or even reading it
Apr 23, 2009, 9:10 am
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Apr 23, 2009, 9:18 am
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No BUT why do you think only E+ &/or PE will come out of it. There will be tons of bad things also. No way will a combo result in only those things that are good for the Customer to be kept.
Take DL/NW the NW passengers are losing alot of what they had that was good and the DL arent getting that much out of it that is beneficial to them program wise.
AA/TW saw TW Lifetime Club members get a couple of yrs before losing their Membership etc etc
Take DL/NW the NW passengers are losing alot of what they had that was good and the DL arent getting that much out of it that is beneficial to them program wise.
AA/TW saw TW Lifetime Club members get a couple of yrs before losing their Membership etc etc