Dallas Dude,
Sounds like you and AA are afraid of competition. Why not let DL, NW, US, and CO have
the opportunity to buy slots (or obtain slots) at Heathrow? Every other major European Airport is open to AA. Yes, DL and AF have a "hub" at Paris CDG, but AA can start service from CDG to where ever they want, and DL doesn't mind. If AA wants to compete with DL on CDG-CVG--great. (DL would win because it has a large base there) How about CDG to ATL? They probably wouldn't try. But, when it comes to cash cows like JFK and BOS---AA
might not win--and that is what they (and you) are afraid of. DL wouldn't try LHR to ORD or LGW to DFW---because it doesn't make sense. And if you think LGW is comparable to LHR---you are wrong. Taking a train to Victoria from LGW after a long trans-atlantic flight is NOT fun---because I did it last month and hated it. For the business traveler ($$$cash cow), LHR is preferred.
DL wants a total of 11 roundtrips a day from LHR
eventually (4 to JFK, 2 to BOS, 2 to CVG, and 3 to ATL) and they will eventually get it. And I'm sure AA will operate a NY-BOS-DC shuttle, and Airtran will operate into DCA. And then everyone will be happy.
Thanks. Donkey Duke <img src="cool.gif" border="0"> <img src="cool.gif" border="0"> <img src="cool.gif" border="0">