United/Continental merger?

[Nonstop2AUH]

Today there are some speculative news reports about a UA/CO combination, presumably with CO being the surviving management. Anyone have any thoughts on what impact this sort of merger would have in the NYC area?

[T-Bird76]

UAL's Tilton mentioned sometime ago that a merger might be the way to go. Wouldn't surprise me in the least to see something like this happen. It would only strengthen CO's position in the far east and give CO a western hub which it once had at Denver.

[PhilDernerJr]

From what I can think of, it sounds good, and I think CO is in a good position to do it, if anyone is.

United could use a little help, and this sounds like it could work.

So let's get right into it. How would it affect NY operations?

[T-Bird76]

It wouldn't affect NY ops all that much. UAL doesn't serve the same destinations that CO does. You'd just see CO birds eventually flying to ORD, IAD, and DEN. UAL's ops in the NYC area are very small to see any significant impact. Oh CO probably would begin JFK-LAX, JFK-SFO as well. I don't see anything major in our area. However I can see IAD being pulled down or cut back. Two east coasts hubs so close would be redundant, IAD ops can be moved to EWR.

[PhilDernerJr]

UA would lose their Airbus aircraft, I assume, as well.

[T-Bird76]

UA would lose their Airbus aircraft, I assume, as well.

I'd doubt it. The Airbuses are newer and more fuel efficient then the 737s UAL has. Unless CO orders a **** load of 737s to replace them which I doubt as well the A320s and 319s would remain. They make up a huge part of UAL's domestic fleet. Removing them would put a huge capacity gap in UALs route structure.

[Alex T]

Can we assume itd just be the same as US/AWA thing?

Routes, and everything is kept, but under one color/brand/name.

UA flights would still fly their respective UA flights just under CO colors and back and forth.

The network would be larger, for even small stations like STL.

We would have N/S to EWR, ORD, IAH, CLE, IAD, and DEN.

Another Question would this new airline stay in SKYTEAM or STAR?

Alex

[PhilDernerJr]

Good point on the Skyteam or Star Alliance. (I vote for Star)

[hiss srq]

I think the Frogjets would stick around in a scenario such as above, Co is ditching the 737-300's and 500's are going to start going soon. The 319's could be a decent fit for the 500 replacement and give them more room to make money on smaller markets they serve with 1 or 2 flights a day because it would make much more room for air mail or cargo to be transported in bins, the 500 sucks for that as it is right now. I say go for it and good bye IAD. Oh and 747's in CO colors, never imagined that would happen again (fingers crossed)

[Alex T]

Good point on the Skyteam or Star Alliance. (I vote for Star)

I agree Star has a big influence worldwide, but need more US members, in the US Skyteam is the biggest with NW/CO/DL, Star being a 2nd behind with 2 members, and 3rd is OneWorld with AA.

Alex

[NYARTCCFAN]

Speaking in the merger topic, when will we see US Airways changeover to the Cactus callsign ???

[USAF Pilot 07]

As a side note, CO already operates to Denver, and they actually have several daily non-stops between DEN and EWR...

As for a merger, would US anti-trust laws, or more specifically a judge, allow it? Those are two very large, and very dominant carriers. A merger between the two would deal a heavy blow to many of the other US carriers...

[USAF Pilot 07]

Speaking in the merger topic, when will we see US Airways changeover to the Cactus callsign ???

Why would US Airways change over to "Cactus"? America West was somewhat "acquired" by US Airways (or at least US Airways is the dominant partner in the merger). Why would US Airways adopt America West's callsign, especially since everything is being changed over to US Airways?

[mirrodie]

because Cactus sounds cooler.

;)

[FlyingColors]

I hope not.

FWIW, I heard CO has a "fixed deal" with Boeing only fleet. Mechanic friends can ramble on and on recalling the A300 days and how they and management hated them.

But don't know if this would be an exception in this instance.