According to IATA, US Airlines will lose $4bn in 2009...so the immediate future is not brilliant.
My somewhat cynical prediction :
- Even more trimming of services - like UA's Tilton trying to get rid of hot food on East Coast-Europe sectors, more spurious charges, and perhaps an introduciton of the Ryanair model where everything costs $$$ - and it's more like an airborne shopping mall.
- Increase in fares of J and F, but not necessarily mapping onto standards of Asian and ME Carriers.
- Staff pensions even more decimated leading to even more disgruntled employees leading to poor (and understandable) customer service and attitude...meaning PAX will complain even more
- Fleet reneweals even more delayed. AA MD80s still gracing the skies in 10 years perhaps...
- Slashing of routes
- Making other routes seasonal
- Smaller aircraft on sectors, to push the price up, e.g. the BA London City to New York sectors on A318s with a setdown westbound in Shannon and direct eastbound. All J Class...
- Frequent fliers becoming less loyal as their benefits are trimmed away or costed out
- More of the same such as AA and BA "Alliance" - not just a close alliance tie-up but a complete meshing of services pending regulatory thumbs up.
- And if it wasn't for the unions, and other regulators, how quickly do we think the UA 777 fleet or the CAL 767-400s etc etc would have their annuals and majors done in Mumbai ?
Whoa, that's quite enough for now. I need a drink...