Wsj: Us/awa Seek Allies For Merger

[jimntx]

If UA goes under (which I think there is less of a chance of happening than a combined HP/US going under), I expect Star would try to steal one of the 4 remaining US longhaul airlines. AA could be swayed to leave OW since they still can't get anti-trust immunity with BA, or one of the 3 SkyTeam members could be pursuaded to bail since they would be the primary U.S. feed carrier for the largest alliance in the world. US/HP would only be a temporary fill until one of the remaining Big 4 changes allegiances and then would go back to being the secondary Star feeder.
(Assuming US/HP stays in Star. I think they will but HP has a partnership with NW. I wonder who will call the alliances/revenue accounting shots for the new US/HP, since right now they seem to have different philosophies)

[post="266543"][/post]​

Good thinking. My #1 candidate for bolting to STAR would be Continental. However, that said, I don't know how the NWA investment in CO would affect the alliances. The HP partnership with NW leaves a couple of messes to be cleaned up as well.

 

[funguy2]

I've found this PDF file which describes the "ease" of connecting at YYZ...

Presumably it will be easier once the T1-New is completed.
Terminal 1 Connection Guide for Toronto

 

[avek00]

If United or US dies, CO will be in Star before you know it.

 

[hharotz]

I've found this PDF file which describes the "ease" of connecting at YYZ...

Presumably it will be easier once the T1-New is completed.
Terminal 1 Connection Guide for Toronto

[post="266864"][/post]​

One T1-New is completed pax arriving from overseas will be able to completely bypass Canadian Customs/Immigration and proceed directly to US Pre-Clearance for their flight back to the US. Such facilities currently exist in YVR and YUL. The T1/2 (US is currently in T3 which makes no sense given our membership in STAR, UA/LH/etc all share terminals with AC!) YYZ setup currently used is temporary untill construction of the new terminal is completed. Similarly, pax arriving YYZ transiting to overseas will be able to bypass Canadian customs/immigration as they will be able to proceed direct to a sterile intl concourse. When complete, connecting overseas in YYZ will be no different than connecting in PHL/CLT/ORD/SFO/etc...

 

[funguy2]

Good info... Thanks hharotz.

Any idea when T1-New is scheduled to be complete?

 

[BoeingBoy]

The problem with AC providing European connections is an extra connection for two groups of passengers - those in our hubs (primarily PHL) and those in cities than have neither US or AC flights to YYZ.

The first group will have to connect in Canada to their European flight rather than get on a non-stop from PHL or CLT (for the destinations offered from CLT). Of course, it they'd have had a connection in Europe to their ultimate destination, that will still be the case.

The second group will have to connect in a US hub/focus city with either US or AC service to the Canadian connection point (say YYZ) to connect to the European flight rather than just go to PHL or CLT for the European flight.

For these two groups, will the extra connection prompt them to fly another carrier?

Jim

 

[ClueByFour]

If United or US dies, CO will be in Star before you know it.

[post="266874"][/post]​

And there is a great pumpkin, Charlie Brown.

 

[FrugalFlyerv2.0]

Huge obstacles to overcome: outrageous YYZ landing fees (according tosources the highest in the world!), out of control Canadian taxes, completely different corporate cultures and lack of cash on all three airline's balance sheets.

While you're right about the landing fees, you're "out of control" taxes are a typical misconception.

 

[FrugalFlyerv2.0]

Well let's see....what eactly are STAR's options if UA does go under? I never implied that trading UA for US/HP is an even trade.

Who is still not formally tied down to an alliance?
1) Alaska
2) LCCs like WN/B6/etc who want nothing to do with an alliance

Although I agree that a combined US/HP doesn't offer the same reach as UA, it can still get STAR travellers to the ABEs and OAKs of America.

[post="266538"][/post]​

I don't think a combined US-HP or a US-HP-AC would be sufficient to replace the current * alliance North American arrangement. It is highly possible that LH would woo either NW/CO and/or DL to leave Skyteam or AA to leave 1 world. Should UAL go out of business I think AA/DL/NW/CO (and ofcourse the LCC's) would pick up whatever assets they could (gates at hubs, slots at LHR & NRT, aircraft, etc.). LH / * alliance would then pursue to have the carrier that best replaces UAL to become a member.