What's to become of LAX for United post-COVID19?
May 4, 2020, 4:16 pm
#1
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What's to become of LAX for United post-COVID19?
As LAX is my base, I found this article - while speculative - disheartening. With the closure of pilot bases for any long-haul flights, seems like LAX is now purely a United Domestic/North America station?
https://liveandletsfly.com/united-lax-hub-future/
https://liveandletsfly.com/united-lax-hub-future/
May 4, 2020, 4:20 pm
#2
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May 4, 2020, 4:25 pm
#3
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May 4, 2020, 4:28 pm
#4
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May 4, 2020, 5:09 pm
#5
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It wasn't a statement, but a question 
And I had clearly stated that the link itself said it was speculative, with nothing confirmed.
But when you read between the lines and begin to extrapolate various comments from UA brass and actions taken, LAX has been largely left out of the picture for UA long hauls for the foreseeable future.
And I had clearly stated that the link itself said it was speculative, with nothing confirmed.
But when you read between the lines and begin to extrapolate various comments from UA brass and actions taken, LAX has been largely left out of the picture for UA long hauls for the foreseeable future.
May 4, 2020, 5:29 pm
#6
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UA would be foolish to abandon LAX as a hub (IMO), but in this brave new world, focusing on the hub where they have the most direct competition doesn't make a ton of sense. If they can maintain decent O&D domestic routes, that is probably enough as a starting point.
May 4, 2020, 6:03 pm
#7
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As LAX is my base, I found this article - while speculative - disheartening. With the closure of pilot bases for any long-haul flights, seems like LAX is now purely a United Domestic/North America station?
https://liveandletsfly.com/united-lax-hub-future/
https://liveandletsfly.com/united-lax-hub-future/
May 4, 2020, 6:04 pm
#8
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May 4, 2020, 6:13 pm
#9
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As others have said, closing pilot base does not mean cutting long-haul international flights completely.
I remember when PMUA had 48 747s in its fleet at one time and they flew 747s to destinations around the world from all their hubs (minus Denver), JFK, EWR and MIA without having 747 pilot bases at all the hubs nor MIA.
I remember when PMUA had 48 747s in its fleet at one time and they flew 747s to destinations around the world from all their hubs (minus Denver), JFK, EWR and MIA without having 747 pilot bases at all the hubs nor MIA.
Last edited by UA_Flyer; May 5, 2020 at 8:46 am
May 4, 2020, 6:17 pm
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As others have said, closing pilot base does not mean cutting long-haul international flights completely.
I remember when PMUA had 48 747s in its fleet at one time and they flew 747s to destinations around the world from all their hubs (minus Denver, JFK, EWR and MIA without having 747 pilot bases at all the hubs nor MIA.
I remember when PMUA had 48 747s in its fleet at one time and they flew 747s to destinations around the world from all their hubs (minus Denver, JFK, EWR and MIA without having 747 pilot bases at all the hubs nor MIA.
And I just cannot see UA suddenly putting 777s back on TYO, PVG, MEL, SYD, or LHR.
But sad news for LAX, whether it remains an official hub or not.
May 4, 2020, 6:17 pm
#11
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I may be wrong, I don’t know much about United LAX traffic, but hasn’t the airline been slowly hacking away at LAX for years? It’s disheartening to close the pilot base there but as others have pointed out, you don’t necessarily need a local pilot base for international traffic. Cheers -
May 4, 2020, 6:19 pm
#12
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I may be wrong, I don’t know much about United LAX traffic, but hasn’t the airline been slowly hacking away at LAX for years? It’s disheartening to close the pilot base there but as others have pointed out, you don’t necessarily need a local pilot base for international traffic. Cheers -
Originally Posted by Internal Memo to United Pilots
This fleet will be the workhorse of our international operation for the foreseeable future. Unfortunately, the aircraft will not be flying out of LAX for some time, possibly over a year.
May 4, 2020, 6:32 pm
#13
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This is true and I mentioned this in my story...we may see 787 pilots from SFO or IAH flying LAX routes, except that United said LAX would not see any 787s "likely" for at least a year. That's a broader statement than no pilot base.
And I just cannot see UA suddenly putting 777s back on TYO, PVG, MEL, SYD, or LHR.
But sad news for LAX, whether it remains an official hub or not.
And I just cannot see UA suddenly putting 777s back on TYO, PVG, MEL, SYD, or LHR.
But sad news for LAX, whether it remains an official hub or not.
May 4, 2020, 6:35 pm
#14
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I know we are in uncharted territory, but with the guaranteed 757's + 787-10 PS, LAX renovations, and Polaris Lounge, LAX was starting to clean up rather well. Would be sad to see non-guaranteed P.S. lie flats...
May 4, 2020, 6:39 pm
#15
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I think there are two parts to the question relative to eliminating the LAX pilot base. One is what others have already picked up on specific to O&D of international long haul.
The other is how competitive does UA want to be in defending its NYC/EWR-LAX t.p.s. turf since it has already given up competing BOS-LAX and IAD-LAX in terms of premium transcontinental.
Without 752s to offer anything premium, can UA compete with only 738s/739s and the occasional 789 into the NYC market?
David
The other is how competitive does UA want to be in defending its NYC/EWR-LAX t.p.s. turf since it has already given up competing BOS-LAX and IAD-LAX in terms of premium transcontinental.
Without 752s to offer anything premium, can UA compete with only 738s/739s and the occasional 789 into the NYC market?
David