Originally Posted by
FyrePilot
The only thing UAL needs from JB are the gates in JFK and BOS.
They don't need the planes (yet), staff, or pax
I see a codeshare or some gate agreement thing to get UA premium passengers more NYC/BOS options. Especially on the northeast to FL shuttle.
I think they are just doing some partnership thing to prevent someone else (Alaska) from partnering and doing something similar or buying them.
JB needs a partner. Same as F9 and Spirit.
So how is united gonna increase it's slots for Europe in which to feed this hypothetical?
It's been posited here and in JB UAL forums that such a thing would increase the domestic foot print for UAL in areas they're not strong at. Our operations in NY are mostly to feed our INTL destinations and feed INT'L into our domestic system. Slots to Europe are lk.ited for us, UAL and AA. Gaining JB would not solve UALs slot limitations, so would then they strictly operate domestic out of JFK? Could they rely on star alliance partners to feed it? Maybe, maybe not. European slots are constrained. That's a fact. I would say same thing for Boston.
We know Kirby has drawn a target on JFK. United pulled out of here before he was CEO and I'm certain he wants a presence here. How he gets that could be to acquireJB, but there are many constraints and limitations on that plan that are not easily surmountable. Could we see a joining of JB and UAL? Not anytime soon. More than likely JB becomes star alliance partner and thus broadens their market.
Regardless I would hope the c- suite is paying attention.