Thank you, oh wise fortune teller. Do you all really believe a certain pilot at USAirways? Let's get back to conversation in reality :down:So now that it appears that DL could be dismembered in bankruptcy by US, UA and another airline, it's time to speculate on how that might work out. Here's my guess:
ATL -- Goes to UA. UA really could use a southeastern hub and US doesn't need one. Of the possible "third" airlines, none has a burning need for a hub in that region -- although ATL is a strong, growing market and a good facility.
JFK -- Goes to US. Although it is close to PHL, it would allow US to expand its European operation (and probably pull down a couple of marginal routes out of PHL) and create another northeastern connection point to ease chronically congested PHL. Plus, it gives them a viable hub to start real South American routes.
SLC -- Goes to AA. AA has tried to have a signficant hub west of DFW before, and SLC might actually work for them. It wouldn't be a huge operation, but it would fill a gap in AA's network.
CVG -- Dismantled. It could be a focus city for any of the 3 airlines, a la PIT or CLE.
As for the fleet, I'd imagine that AA would take the MD80s; UA would take the 777s, some 767s, most of the 757s; and US would take some 767s, some 757s, and the 737s.
All 3 airlines would gain by filling in holes in their systems and by reducing network carriers overhubbing (CVG) and overcapacity (by parking the MD90s and older 767s).