Kirby pitches UA merger with AA (link)
04-16-2026 | 08:24 AM
#81
Down goes Frazier
Joined: Mar 2023
Posts: 698
Likes: 175
From: AB FO
Agreed, UA/AA would be an Aeroflot fantasy scenario giving the combined carrier incredible pricing power. Even if the US approved it there would be enormous ripple effects globally (TATL JVs, alliances, etc) and I am not sure Europe would be in the mood to play along.
UA/JB would give the next best bang for the buck, allowing UA to increase pricing power in the BOS/JFK areas in particular and further pushing AA into irrelevance.
AA/AS would be a smart combo, and the AS mgmt team could likely turn things around better than Isom has.
UA/JB would give the next best bang for the buck, allowing UA to increase pricing power in the BOS/JFK areas in particular and further pushing AA into irrelevance.
AA/AS would be a smart combo, and the AS mgmt team could likely turn things around better than Isom has.
04-16-2026 | 08:37 AM
#82
SDQ Base Chief
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 6,051
Likes: 33
From: 320 CA
BOS does not have slots, no divestitures there. UA isn't giving up anything in EWR. Divest 80 slots in JFK still leaves UA with ~100 which is plenty. DL wouldn't be allowed to bid considering they are the largest carrier, AA can't even use the JFK slots they already have so I can't see them buying more. That leaves AS, WN, F9, NK, MX types which might be interested.
04-16-2026 | 08:44 AM
#83
Down goes Frazier
Joined: Mar 2023
Posts: 698
Likes: 175
From: AB FO
BOS does not have slots, no divestitures there. UA isn't giving up anything in EWR. Divest 80 slots in JFK still leaves UA with ~100 which is plenty. DL wouldn't be allowed to bid considering they are the largest carrier, AA can't even use the JFK slots they already have so I can't see them buying more. That leaves AS, WN, F9, NK, MX types which might be interested.
04-16-2026 | 08:56 AM
#84
off weekends (if Reserve)
Joined: May 2023
Posts: 1,155
Likes: 95
Agree its only downside from a pilot perspective considering the profit sharing hit as well as the seniority integration, even with a fence, especially for anyone hired after 2020. Fortunately in 5 years I'll be gone and I won't have to deal with it, but anyone with less than 6 years longevity (9,000 pilots) would have a rude awakening.
04-16-2026 | 09:05 AM
#86
Line Holder
Joined: Oct 2022
Posts: 283
Likes: 9
One of the more honest posts I’ve read in a long time.
04-16-2026 | 09:38 AM
#87
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 2,921
Likes: 94
EWR, United would be required to give up B6 gates and takeoff/landing times….
JFK - United would offer up JFK slots to divestitures to satisfy the DOJ and keep a good handful of them…. Delta wouldn’t be able to bid for them. AA might but doubt it, Breeze, F9, Southwest would all be able to advocate for those slots freely.
But we will see as there is precedent that EWR and LGA/JFK were considered as separate markets in previous cases.
If there was to be a UA/B6 merger, this is the likely scenario that will play out.
04-16-2026 | 09:41 AM
#88
Prime Minister/Moderator
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 44,841
Likes: 652
From: Engines Turn or People Swim
04-16-2026 | 10:31 AM
#89
Line Holder
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 598
Likes: 38
https://podcastaddict.com/the-air-sh...sode/221760517
Good perspectives covering the UA merger landscape
Good perspectives covering the UA merger landscape
04-16-2026 | 11:23 AM
#90
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: Aug 2020
Posts: 2,645
Likes: 95
They aren’t wrong… BOS isn’t slot restricted…
EWR, United would be required to give up B6 gates and takeoff/landing times….
JFK - United would offer up JFK slots to divestitures to satisfy the DOJ and keep a good handful of them…. Delta wouldn’t be able to bid for them. AA might but doubt it, Breeze, F9, Southwest would all be able to advocate for those slots freely.
But we will see as there is precedent that EWR and LGA/JFK were considered as separate markets in previous cases.
If there was to be a UA/B6 merger, this is the likely scenario that will play out.
EWR, United would be required to give up B6 gates and takeoff/landing times….
JFK - United would offer up JFK slots to divestitures to satisfy the DOJ and keep a good handful of them…. Delta wouldn’t be able to bid for them. AA might but doubt it, Breeze, F9, Southwest would all be able to advocate for those slots freely.
But we will see as there is precedent that EWR and LGA/JFK were considered as separate markets in previous cases.
If there was to be a UA/B6 merger, this is the likely scenario that will play out.
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