Originally Posted by
CousinEddie
What was it that Warren Buffet said about the US airline industry? Something about if a capitalist had been present at Kitty Hawk, he would have shot the Wright Brothers down?
Even after this short period of relative prosperity (helped considerably by low fuel), the US airline industry has still lost far more money over its history than it has ever earned. What has been considered decent profit margins during good times in this industry would be viewed as unacceptable in most others.
Does that sound like an industry that has been gouging its customers, as you contend?
If you are backed by the Treasurey of your home country that has launched a Manhattan type of project in an attempt to diversify the economy, then it is no wonder that you can offer more for less.
And Jennifer Anniston can have her mile high shower.
It's not just the Middle East that offer more for less. It's all of the European and Asian carriers which operate to the US.
ANA, JAL, CX, TL, BA, LH, KLM, VS, AF, the list is enormous. All completely private enterprises, most have no restructuring opportunities of they fail, no Ch.11 to hide behind.
All offering FAR more than DL/AA/UA. Usually cheaper.
No wonder the legacies are having s for about this. They're an embarrassment on the world stage.