United forced to suspend JFK service due to expiration/lack of slots, end of Oct 2022
Oct 3, 2022, 8:05 am
#181
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It could be puzzling but we also don't know what their internal discussions with the FAA entailed prior to this. Obviously those discussions would have been going on for sometime (at least I hope United wasn't waiting to start addressing a slot issue 3 months before it was going to rear its head). If what they are saying is true that it's been over a decade since JFK slot situation has been evaluated then I think they have a fair argument the FAA should at least be reevaluating it. If they were getting pushback at the idea of even looking at the situation then a public pressure campaign would be the logical step to put pressure on the FAA to at least consider the issue in a timely manner.
Oct 3, 2022, 10:52 am
#182
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As noted, UA made its bed here and now has to figure out how to sleep in it (or, in this case, stick with the bed in the other room--EWR).
There are certainly things UA can do to mitigate the inability to bring high value customers to JFK, though these will be costly too. A few ideas come to mind that would better position EWR for premium LAX/SFO point of sale passengers:
There are certainly things UA can do to mitigate the inability to bring high value customers to JFK, though these will be costly too. A few ideas come to mind that would better position EWR for premium LAX/SFO point of sale passengers:
- 100% Polaris seating
- Enhanced meals/onboard service offerings in premium cabins
- Complimentary limo service on certain fares
- Complimentary/subsidized Blade helicopter flights into Manhattan for full-fare passengers
- Frequent flier bonuses/elite matches
- More focused local marketing in SFO/LAX promoting convenience of EWR to Manhattan
Oct 3, 2022, 11:05 am
#183
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Oct 3, 2022, 11:20 am
#184
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Oct 3, 2022, 11:22 am
#185
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DOJ seeks to block United/Delta EWR/JFK slot swap deal
Last edited by WineCountryUA; Oct 3, 2022 at 11:27 am Reason: link
Oct 3, 2022, 11:32 am
#186
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Oct 3, 2022, 11:33 am
#187
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"Also on June 16, 2015, United and Delta entered into a separate slot lease agreement pursuant to which United leased to Delta 24 year-round, three summer, and three winter slots at JFK Airport (October to March), also for $14 million (emphasis mine). The lease is long term and automatically renewable, and is intended to effectuate a permanent transfer of the slots to Delta. This slot lease agreement gives Delta control over these JFK slots. That transaction closed in June 2015."
You're right, I don't know. I do think that if UA seriously pursued more slots at JFK, their press releases and other comments on the JFK withdrawal would have some kind of mention of it... but that's just my opinion.
Last edited by WineCountryUA; Oct 3, 2022 at 12:38 pm Reason: merged consecutive posts by same member
Oct 3, 2022, 11:49 am
#188
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From the United States v UA and DL:
"Also on June 16, 2015, United and Delta entered into a separate slot lease agreement pursuant to which United leased to Delta 24 year-round, three summer, and three winter slots at JFK Airport (October to March), also for $14 million (emphasis mine). The lease is long term and automatically renewable, and is intended to effectuate a permanent transfer of the slots to Delta. This slot lease agreement gives Delta control over these JFK slots. That transaction closed in June 2015."
"Also on June 16, 2015, United and Delta entered into a separate slot lease agreement pursuant to which United leased to Delta 24 year-round, three summer, and three winter slots at JFK Airport (October to March), also for $14 million (emphasis mine). The lease is long term and automatically renewable, and is intended to effectuate a permanent transfer of the slots to Delta. This slot lease agreement gives Delta control over these JFK slots. That transaction closed in June 2015."
Oct 3, 2022, 12:09 pm
#190
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edit: Oops, wrong quarter. UA earned about $1.2 billion in Q2 2015.
Last edited by JimInOhio; Oct 3, 2022 at 1:29 pm
Oct 3, 2022, 3:26 pm
#191
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well, it's true. they hire incompetent people and get incompetent results. if they would get serious about running a world class airline, they would not paint themselves into these corners.
Oct 3, 2022, 4:17 pm
#192
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I believe a key part of that deal was a swap of EWR gates / slots DL --> UA (2015), not direct cash payments.
DOJ seeks to block United/Delta EWR/JFK slot swap deal
DOJ seeks to block United/Delta EWR/JFK slot swap deal
Oct 3, 2022, 8:35 pm
#193
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Confusing management said it was a mistake to pull out last time. Over the past 50 years what cities did UA service from JFK. International routes.
A side note in the early 1970’s fuel crisis briefly UA operated a 747 CLE-MIA inbound aircraft cane from JFK.
A side note in the early 1970’s fuel crisis briefly UA operated a 747 CLE-MIA inbound aircraft cane from JFK.
Oct 4, 2022, 3:08 am
#194
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Oct 4, 2022, 3:27 am
#195
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The other notable change .. is that AA will no longer have 3 class aircraft in a few years.. UA could easily codeshare the Blade flights and sell them as a marginal add on . But either way, its going to be a hard sell to corporate travel depts if this is the key to a deal - they've twice abandoned the market.