They are going to hang the whole enterprise on our dear friend Software...
I think that what will defeat this is practicalities:
- the problem of getting competitor airlines to agree simultaneous departures to linked destinations. Possibly diverging NYC and Washington at the end of cruise, for example.
- Getting competitor airlines to agree a formation point and time before the main cruise.
- If one a/c is not able to push at the right time - for whatever reasons?
- If one a/c has to drop out of the fomration due to tech/medical emergency - how do you square up the sudden increased cost of fuel?
- Do all a/c carry fuel to allow for such a drop out, be it their own or another?
However, as a proof of concept and confirming what was already known - it is very good.