View Poll Results: Is an American Airlines/US Airways merger good for the traveling public?
Yes
84
28.19%
No
214
71.81%
Voters: 298. You may not vote on this poll
Nov 12, 2013, 2:24 pm
Last edit by: aztimm
Note:
There is an existing thread in the AA forum that may be useful to US and AA Flyertalkers:
US-AA Merger: Just the Facts thread
As facts become posted, that should be the place to look.
Merger discussion, speculation, and other questions can be directed here, or the similar thread in the AA forum:
MERGER: US and AA 9 Dec 2013 and implications for AA flyers (new)
AA - US Merger Agreement / Announcement / DOJ Action Discussion (consolidated, and now closed to new posts)
There is an existing thread in the AA forum that may be useful to US and AA Flyertalkers:
US-AA Merger: Just the Facts thread
As facts become posted, that should be the place to look.
Merger discussion, speculation, and other questions can be directed here, or the similar thread in the AA forum:
MERGER: US and AA 9 Dec 2013 and implications for AA flyers (new)
AA - US Merger Agreement / Announcement / DOJ Action Discussion (consolidated, and now closed to new posts)
US/AA merger- MASTER DISCUSSION THREAD/incl 'when will US leave STAR'
Aug 13, 2013, 1:44 pm
#1276
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Charlotte
Programs: Hilton Diamond, Marriott Platinum Elite, AA Platinum Pro, Hertz Presidents
Posts: 1,214
I"m happy, I"ll definitely be able to buy up to CP from Platinum. No guarantees, that would be the case on the new AA
Aug 13, 2013, 1:52 pm
#1277
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: BOS
Programs: US, AA, Delta, BA, Hilton, Marriot, HYATT
Posts: 433
I'm very disappointed, because a combined US-AA route network would be near ideal for me. Right now, I can't maintain Platinum on AA without flying a disproportionate amount of 50-seaters and tight-in-Y CR7s. Adding in DCA really takes care of that, and CLT helps as well - especially the 10pm CLT-ORD flight.
I bought into a AA Platinum challenge because I had a short-term project which worked perfectly within the 3-month window (lots of trips, good ability to pay out of pocket for KUP fares). I'll probably use it enough next year to pay for the $240 cost in free MCE seats, but there's no way I can actually qualify the hard way next year.
I bought into a AA Platinum challenge because I had a short-term project which worked perfectly within the 3-month window (lots of trips, good ability to pay out of pocket for KUP fares). I'll probably use it enough next year to pay for the $240 cost in free MCE seats, but there's no way I can actually qualify the hard way next year.
Aug 13, 2013, 1:56 pm
#1278
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Usually in SAN or Central Europe.
Programs: AA:EXP/1MM. Accor/Radisson:Silver; HH:Gold; ICH:Plt Amb.
Posts: 22,307
What is suppose to be the long term plan at US minus a merger? Where can it grow? And the WN/FL merger puts more competive pressure in the regions where US is currently the strongest. It is now a faded flower in the NYC market. Sure, it solidified its position at DCA. But the perimeter rule sort of limits how much you can do with it.
If I were a US employee, I'd be very PO'ed right now.
If I were a US employee, I'd be very PO'ed right now.
Aug 13, 2013, 2:12 pm
#1279
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: NYC
Programs: Landry's President's Club, Marriott Silver, Awesomeness EXPLT
Posts: 20,420
Cheers
Howie
Aug 13, 2013, 2:21 pm
#1280
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: BWI
Programs: AA Gold, HH Diamond, National Emerald Executive, TSA Disparager Gold
Posts: 15,180
What is suppose to be the long term plan at US minus a merger? Where can it grow? And the WN/FL merger puts more competive pressure in the regions where US is currently the strongest. It is now a faded flower in the NYC market. Sure, it solidified its position at DCA. But the perimeter rule sort of limits how much you can do with it.
Originally Posted by stockmanjr
How many mergers have been completely successfully after winning in court? Generally when the DOJ sues that kills the merger as most smart companies don't want to be tied up in the very long limbo that it's going to take to fight this. I'm not so sure Parker will think like this though. Oh and if you think they're going to win on the they let UA/CO and DL/NW go through argument you're extremely mistaken as that isn't any sort of legal grounds.
I could see a merger going thru if either were on the verge of having their bones picked over by vultures. However since both CEOs have said they could operate on their own and be just fine, it makes it harder to justify it.
I think DOJ will have a much easier time proving that the merger and consolidation will be bad for consumers than Dougie and Co. proving it will be good for consumers.
Parker's also said that this is going to scuttle the merger until at least later next year. Eventually, there will come a point that one, or both, of the companies will abandon the merger as it's not worth it.
Aug 13, 2013, 2:23 pm
#1281
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Philadelphia, PA
Programs: AAdvantage Exec Platinum, Hertz #1 Club Gold Five Star, IHG Platinum, Marriott Gold, HHonors Silver
Posts: 2,039
What is suppose to be the long term plan at US minus a merger? Where can it grow? And the WN/FL merger puts more competive pressure in the regions where US is currently the strongest. It is now a faded flower in the NYC market. Sure, it solidified its position at DCA. But the perimeter rule sort of limits how much you can do with it.
Aug 13, 2013, 2:24 pm
#1282
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Washington, DC (DCA)
Programs: UA, AA, AS, SPG.
Posts: 3,463
Aug 13, 2013, 2:31 pm
#1283
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Usually in SAN or Central Europe.
Programs: AA:EXP/1MM. Accor/Radisson:Silver; HH:Gold; ICH:Plt Amb.
Posts: 22,307
Yes. For a very good reason. PHX-Asia would bleed cash. And looking at the O&D figures for CLT-GIG, it appears the red ink flows more on that flight than does the bubbly. US has no JV/ATI partnership. AA, UA, and DL all do. That is extremely important. US can grow in Europe, but that's about it. So the amount of large corporate contracts it can secure (and that is where the money is at) is limited. 'Well, we can fly you here, but not there, or there either" is not a strong selling point. Like I said, if I were a US employee, I'd be very p***ed right now.
Aug 13, 2013, 2:33 pm
#1284
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: BWI
Programs: AA Gold, HH Diamond, National Emerald Executive, TSA Disparager Gold
Posts: 15,180
Aug 13, 2013, 2:40 pm
#1285
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Benicia, California, USA
Programs: AA PLT,AS,UA PP,J6,FB,EY,LH,SQ,HH Dmd,Hyatt Glbl,Marriott Plat,IHG Plat,Accor Gold
Posts: 10,820
I see DOJ regarding this much like AT&T/T-Mobile's attempted merger. While some large mergers were allowed to happen in the past, it's just a bridge too far at this point. Consolidation's been bad for the consumer in the wireless industry as it brought higher prices, less innovation, less consumer-friendly practices, and generally stale offerings. Barring some serious concessions, I don't see how further consolidation of the airline industry is going to be good for the consumer. We're already seeing higher prices, less service, less consumer-friendly practices, and stale offerings. I don't see how allowing AA and US to merge would counteract that trend.
Aug 13, 2013, 2:43 pm
#1286
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2005
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Yes. For a very good reason. PHX-Asia would bleed cash. And looking at the O&D figures for CLT-GIG, it appears the red ink flows more on that flight than does the bubbly. US has no JV/ATI partnership. AA, UA, and DL all do. That is extremely important. US can grow in Europe, but that's about it. So the amount of large corporate contracts it can secure (and that is where the money is at) is limited. 'Well, we can fly you here, but not there, or there either" is not a strong selling point. Like I said, if I were a US employee, I'd be very p***ed right now.
I think we all know that PHX will see limited Europe and Asia service, if any, due to the heat.
While none of those are are US hubs, there would be enough O/D traffic plus feed from UA that could make it viable. Plus most US fliers are used to connecting so one connection more may not be a huge deal.
Bottom line: it doesn't have to be done from PHX. SEA alone shows it can be done.
Aug 13, 2013, 2:48 pm
#1287
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: PHX
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 1,377
otoh, if you were a US passenger, you would be very happy right now 
Makes you wonder if Parker's zeal to tackle the Justice Dept, spending whatever it takes, will be well received by stockholders who inconveniently are also passengers he is about to screw?
Makes you wonder if Parker's zeal to tackle the Justice Dept, spending whatever it takes, will be well received by stockholders who inconveniently are also passengers he is about to screw?
Aug 13, 2013, 2:50 pm
#1288
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: SEA, but up and down the coast a lot
Programs: Oceanic Airlines Gold Elite
Posts: 20,392
(UA also has historic reasons for NRT-SEA; SEA was a former focus city for them; they still have some remnants of that, that are slowly fading away.)
Aug 13, 2013, 2:57 pm
#1289
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: PHL
Programs: Former long-time US GP; now AA dirt
Posts: 4,904
Aug 13, 2013, 3:03 pm
#1290
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: BWI
Programs: AA Gold, HH Diamond, National Emerald Executive, TSA Disparager Gold
Posts: 15,180
SEA would be a suicide mission, given UA's already downsizing from 777s to 787s (and it won't shock me to see them leave the market in 18 months or so). You have DL (which has multiple frequencies and HND), UA and NH.
(UA also has historic reasons for NRT-SEA; SEA was a former focus city for them; they still have some remnants of that, that are slowly fading away.)
(UA also has historic reasons for NRT-SEA; SEA was a former focus city for them; they still have some remnants of that, that are slowly fading away.)
SEA may have been a former focus city, but what's really there now? Some mainline flights to the hubs, with regionals to SFO and LAX thrown into the mix.
SEA may ultimately not be the best place for one, but it's certainly better than PHX would be.
SFO may be a better choice than SEA.
My point was that an international flight doesn't have to be from a hub to be successful.
A332 in theory could make it from PHL or CLT too.
I'd see a west coast flight being more useful to the system as no one on the west coast would fly east to go to NRT.