Headline: WSJ: US Airways Bd Decided To Discontinue Merger Talks With United
Apr 22, 2010, 12:57 pm
#46
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: San Diego (SAN)
Programs: IHG Platinum
Posts: 940
I will go with #1. While at first the idea sounded good, the elite perqs are just too different. Shall I say, non-existent with US. I am UA 1K and US GP, and I have altered my fliying over the last year to fly more on UA. US has reduced the F-class seating in 757 from 7 rows to 2, and now is charging elites for "choice seating" on an RJ (there is no choice seating).
USAirways now has 2 757 configurations... The "West" airplanes are configured with 14 domestic F seats, and are used primarily for service between PHX and Hawaii. The "East" 757s are configured with 12 International Envoy seats, and used primarily for European service. The 8 F seat 757s are no more, each having either been retired or converted to 12J.
While on the topic of small F cabins, I'll point out that United has chosen to configure it's A319s with 1/3 fewer F seats than USAirways (8 vs. 12), and the A319 fleet is the single largest fleet type at USAirways.
Apr 22, 2010, 1:15 pm
#47
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Somewhere between Singapore and the US
Programs: Qantas Platinum, SQ Krisflyer PPS, UA 1p, Marriot Lifetime Platinum, American EXP
Posts: 988
I was hoping this would happen
OK, for selfish reasons. I fly out of PHL and in my dreams the UA presence would increase dramatically. I was also hoping for flights out of PHL to Asia (US has route but no planes that can make it). This way I could stop traveling to Newark. OK a little far fetched but we can dream.
Apr 22, 2010, 1:41 pm
#48
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: SFO, HKG
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 91
Agreed with most here. Thank god UA is not merging with US.
I flew on US several times in the last two years, I didn't enjoy those experience.
I flew on US several times in the last two years, I didn't enjoy those experience.
Apr 22, 2010, 2:18 pm
#49
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: SBN
Programs: UA, AA, DL status lost across the board.
Posts: 3,184
US Airways and United were within days of announcing an agreement before United’s conversations with Continental were disclosed last week, said the people, who asked not to be identified because the details were private.
LINK
Alternatively, you could simply hit this LINK. (Be aware!! OMNI alert!! )
The overall effect would be the same and you don't even need a hot poker!!
Dave
The overall effect would be the same and you don't even need a hot poker!!
Dave
Apr 22, 2010, 2:46 pm
#50
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2003
Programs: UA*Lifetime GS, Hyatt* Lifetime Globalist
Posts: 12,332
Time to pop open the champagne for the third time.........
Apr 22, 2010, 3:26 pm
#51
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Olympic Mountains, WA and Gallup, NM
Programs: UA 1P
Posts: 117
Yeehaw!
Isn't UA one of the only carriers left that has grown (well, until recent times) organically versus merger and acquisition?
Hope they focus now on improving operations and service versus cutting big-money deals. At least they can control their destiny even if they have to merge later on.
Isn't UA one of the only carriers left that has grown (well, until recent times) organically versus merger and acquisition?
Hope they focus now on improving operations and service versus cutting big-money deals. At least they can control their destiny even if they have to merge later on.
Apr 22, 2010, 4:30 pm
#52
Join Date: May 2004
Location: DCA ZWU
Programs: AGR WOH
Posts: 1,785
The name "United" refers to having united many small airmail carriers back in the early days of airlines. I think the last big purchases were the SFO, NRT, LHR, and Miami-Latin America (remember that?) operations bought from Pan Am from 1985-1992. Since then, seems like the domestic network's mostly been shrinking (besides building up LAX and fortifying IAD). In not-quite-recent times, the other network carriers have been much busier with M&As: Delta bought NW, AA bought TW, US was bought by America West, etc.
Apr 22, 2010, 4:49 pm
#53
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: United 1K (3MM) and RCC, elite levels for most hotel and car programs
Posts: 273
IMHO --
UA would be so much better off focusing on better definition of its product in the US and internationally, building around 2-3 hubs each on the east and west coasts and two midcontinent with newer, efficient 3-cabin aircraft and UX routes with RJs to dozens of feeder markets. Have those of us who are business flyers choose higher fares most of the time so we fly in C and don't grimace about being packed in with leisure travelers who are price sensitive to the extreme. Drop the merger thinking. Mergers are exhausting in overcoming cultural and operational differences and reducing overlaps -- with most available targets, UA would "grow" by less than 50% of the partner's load once duplication of routes and consolidation occurs.
UA once boasted reaching all 50 states -- and then started retreating because 8-10 states don't work well with UA metal.
UA once boasted reaching all 50 states -- and then started retreating because 8-10 states don't work well with UA metal.
Apr 22, 2010, 7:03 pm
#55
Formerly known as CollegeFlyer
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: JRA
Programs: UA 1K MM, AA PLT, Hyatt Diamond, Marriott Gold, Hertz 5*
Posts: 6,716
Whew!!! What a relief; I hate US Air.
Apr 22, 2010, 7:17 pm
#56
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: MEL
Programs: UA 1K, DJ, QF, SQ, SPG.
Posts: 211
Clearly UA and MP ppl are happy, but what are the ones on the US side thinking now??
Apr 22, 2010, 8:11 pm
#58
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Aug 2003
Programs: UA 1K 1MM (finally!), IHG AMB-Spire, HH Diamond
Posts: 60,174
Thank goodness. Now hopefully the CO merger also fails.
Apr 22, 2010, 8:20 pm
#59
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: May 2002
Location: YEG
Programs: HH Silver
Posts: 56,449
Apr 22, 2010, 9:40 pm
#60
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Minneapolis
Programs: AA EXP, Hyatt Diamond, SPG Gold, GlobalEntry, Admirals Club, United Club
Posts: 1,948