Originally Posted by
acl65pilot
Not at all if that is what they want to do. That is still very much a possibility. Many of the press reports that have been floated appear to be trial balloons to see how DAL, AMR, and the markets will react. I know that there is a lot of "chatter" at it pertains to wide body flying about 13 time zones away.....
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I think JAL may be past the how the markets will react phase...They are going to reorganize. JAL hasn't said they were going to be domestic only. However, they have said they will have a significantly reduced international operation.
Of course this could go either way, but my tea leaves are on skyteam. This is why. Saving face. To take skyteam money and quit AMR, is a big splat in the face on American. In reorganization, when the JAL Int'l side is radically cut, it will be much easier and more comfortable to change their marketting arrangement to skyteam. AMR has 5 flights a day to asia and therefore no feed/siphon ability for JAL. DAL has waaaay more. It is a way to change sides because you are no longer worthwhile or valuable to the current partner. Its the Japanese version of saying "yes dear, you are right I am wrong...it's all my fault"
The DAL money will still be spent, just not right now or in the way it appeared to be going. I am of course one sided, but cannot see how JAL and AMR would be valid dance partners going forward. I also see this as a way for DAL to access Haneda thru a JAL Int'l codeshare, but that is pure hip shooting.
The fat lady has not taken the stage yet.