by making AA management nervous about a UAL/JetBlue merger. So AA merges with JetBlue instead and UAL buys gates that were divested due to the merger.

Start of the partnership is a good start. How much they grow in JFK is anyone’s guess. AA or JB reducing the their presence is another to snag up gates/slots organically

That’s a hell of a gamble considering JB/AA market share in NYC is still smaller than UA and divestitures are far from a sure thing. Or if that was a concern then AA can whisper to AS to merge with JB. No divestitures and immediate oneworld partner. Or maybe SWA just walks in and takes JB from the picture.

Again, UA doesn’t own the slots they will start utilizing in 2027. Lots of runway for the partnership to disappear between now and then via a JB/AS merger.

I completely agree with you, but as far as organic growth in JFK, that’s the only thing that comes to mind. Outside of that, United can grow organically without struggle in most markets

United pilots are about to have a first person history lesson in the Nicalou award.

Or AA could wait for UA to by JBLUE and buy all the slots in JFK they could every want when the DOJ demands divesture to approve the merger.

Just because Kirby is ballwashing Trump doesn't mean the merger is a sure thing, the NS and UP merger isn't gonna happen despite what everyone said.

We (UAL pilots) can always hope.

Comparing USAir/America West to United/Jetblue is comical.

100% agree, UA is a dominant player in the industry and can do just about anything they want.

Absolutely, same thing many here at JB are doing.

Especially when one realizes ALPA merger policy changed after the Amwest/US merger.