UA Leaving MIA

laura62,

United did launch the 777 but that didn't help them in Miami. In the end 763ER service to EZE & GRU were no match for AA's 777. That no to say another route UA's 777 aren't competitive just not in Miami aginst AA. UA never got the to a competitive level in Miami all those years they operated to EZE, GIG, GRU, SCL, and other points.
 
Cheap fares and no profit, that;s what happened.
Full planes don't mean a thing unless you have a good profit margin. There is not enough biz people starting out or ending in MIA, just tourists. Biz pax all went to South America via IAD or ORD.
Pax to MIA are, for the most part, cheap tix from South America. The middle class in Brasil or Argentina make about $30kUS a year. UA (or AA or CO) can not ask them to pay the same fares as European do, they can not afford it.
Than to make matters worse, South America flights, for any airline, are not the most productive for an aircraft. We arrive at 9am-11am and leave at 8-11pm. The plane seats there all day! In Europe, same aircraft is turned around in about 2hrs.
Miami is no money making operation, unless you have very, very low costs.
Full airplanes don't mean s*** unless you charging real money.
Amazing that information you have. Turns out though Miami is the shining star in the AA network right now. High volume high dollar fares to and from Central and South America. Plenty of locals and connections.
 
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