Originally Posted by
LizzyBorden
DSM, what a perfect place to use.
Have AA pull down the 3 CRJ flights a day, and replace it with one mainline flight to cover the 150 seats. Then watch AA start to lose marketshare to UA who is willing to offer more trips to Chicago. People don't have to live with anything when another carrier can pick up the slack.
Does United have the lift to do that? Maybe, although there would be an opportunity cost since it would preclude the lift being deployed somewhere else.
Since ~20% of United's 175s are parked somewhere for lack of crews I suggest that they aren't in a position to do that. Your analysis would be different if someone had RJ crews to throw at these markets but since nobody does and won't for half a decade or so (barring a major recession) I see frequency being cut to upgage airframes.