AA 2018 revenue 44.6B
DL 2018 revenue 44.4B

Hardly time to panic, mostly MAX and mechanic problem for 2019.

Long term problem is AA/USAir is still a marriage not a merger, they are top heavy and have redundant managers everywhere, where are all the cooperate layoffs from merger synergies? They found a home for everyone and since 2015 can just afford and avoid worrying bout who's redundant.

Jeff Smisek slashed 2B in United/Cal annual overhead before Oscar inherited it and poached Scot.

No point in AA trying to stretch itself thin deploying an exciting vision and route plan, until it can move the current fleet from A to B as efficiently as possible, the merger thus far is basically only pilots and FA's, lots and lots other payroll efficiencies to go after.

Doug locked in a known cost, fuel was expected to go up since 2014, as well as interest rates. Not his fault max can't fly and Delta looks like a visionary keeping gas gusling 80's flying.

But, Soutwest was smart to settle with mechanics when it became apparent they needed to increase fleet utilization due to max grounding.
Seems like AA thinks they'll collect from mechanics slowdown, but if it's after Doug is cast aside and shareholders loose confidence, that that collection becomes moot.

Still makes you wonder why order new domestic jets with no IFE....pax still like the IFE and the newer systems are much more robust and comprehensive.

Intended to be sarcastic, not to be taken literally.

When you're on a DH domestically (or nonrev), look around the cabin and count how many people are actually engaged with the seatback screens. I usually see under 10 percent.

I'm happy to get rid of those power boxes under the seats.

Is that you Doug? Haha

I can tell that people complain when they are NOT working. Pax don’t like that at all.

I don't get this. Why do they like IFE? If they have internet access, why do they need a built in screen? Who is flying on an airliner that doesn't own a tablet? And if they don't, should we worry about them? Every time I fly an IFE equipped A/C, I see multiple issues with the system. But, could just be me.

Exactly. Most of the complaints I hear about IFE are from non-revs. But, then again, I hear more from them.

I very honestly think Delta announced 100% fleet IFE for domestic, after they saw AA order 600 planes without.

They need and desire to separate themselves from the pack, really has nothing to do with IFE utilization by passengers.

Kinda like when my 5 year old is highly satisfied with himself when he has a toy my 7 year old wants, and in an hour neither care.

If AA upgrades their snack basket, or coffee, Delta will up theirs, it's not about maintaining a specific standard, it's about just being one level better.

You, Sir, are not management material!

Our philosophy seems to be customers (merely numbers/not human) will come back due to the price and route needed. So we need only be a better product than The other low cost carriers. While I have not flown on any of them I can’t imagine it to be that much worse an experience. So our managers are doing a fantastic job keeping us just a touch better than the bottom. Just imagine if they put this much effort into being good.