KEno From Malaysia, joined Feb 2004, 1841 posts, RR: 31 Posted (8 years 5 months 2 weeks 18 hours ago) and read 3077 times:
If you have to pick one airline to be the flagship carrier for the USA, what would it be? "Flagship carrier" can mean a lot of things, and I leave it to your personal interpretations. The way I see a flagship carrier, from an international point of view, is an airline that can be a recognizable symbol of the country. This is not only limited to obvious features like airline names (e.g. Korean Air vs. Asiana), or colour scheme (Aer Lingus vs. Ryanair), but can be extended to other corporate images, routes served (int'l/domestic) and the general public perceptions (locals/outsiders). Any American carrier that seems more 'patriotic' than the rest? Again, 'patriotic' is open to your interpretations but please nothing on "we are more patriotic because we don't use Airbus" .
Let's take another country for example: United Kingdom - British Airways vs. Virgin Atlantic : In terms of the overall image (physical & marketing), historical aspects and international route network, BA seems to be more deserving to be the flagship carrier. With that said, this thread is NOT about the UK so if you do not agree with this please start another thread on the UK flagship carrier.
So what do you think the flagship carrier of the USA should be?
Arsenal@LHR From United Kingdom, joined Mar 2001, 7791 posts, RR: 23 Reply 1, posted (8 years 5 months 2 weeks 16 hours ago) and read 3038 times:
Although the USA doesn't have a designated flag carrier, i still consider American Airlines the flag carrier for the USA. Simply because it's the largest airline there, has the words "American" on the aircraft, and not least wears the red, blue and white colours of the US. I would also go as far as saying AA is the most famous/recognisable US major. Ask yourself this, how many people in say, Thailand, know that Delta or Continental are US carriers? In that respect AA is instantly recognisable by almost anyone anywhere.
Catatonic From United Kingdom, joined Mar 2004, 1155 posts, RR: 3 Reply 2, posted (8 years 5 months 2 weeks 16 hours ago) and read 3036 times:
Has to be American Airlines! Although considering the American philosophy of 'all men are equal' then Southwest deserves to be the flag carrier!! No disparity of class sections in and the prices are affordable to everyone!
KEno From Malaysia, joined Feb 2004, 1841 posts, RR: 31 Reply 5, posted (8 years 5 months 2 weeks 14 hours ago) and read 3028 times:
Simply because it's the largest airline there, has the words "American" on the aircraft, and not least wears the red, blue and white colours of the US. I would also go as far as saying AA is the most famous/recognisable US major.
OK fair enough - the word 'American' is a big give-away. Now let's see it from another perspective : a flagship carrier which is meant to represent USA abroad should also have a widespread international network. No doubt that AA is absolutely massive in the Caribbean & Latin America, but on the other hand they serve only a pathetic 1 city in Asia and its European network is a lot smaller than CO & DL.
IMHO a flagship carrier should also be the nation's 'ambassador' to other countries, but AA is seriously lacking in certain parts of the world. For that reason, my choice is United. In terms of image, i think it comes 2nd after AA but is compensated by its more widespread international network.
[Edited 2004-12-11 16:23:39]
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SLC1 From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 8, posted (8 years 5 months 2 weeks 4 hours ago) and read 2963 times:
As far as route structure goes, I would have to say that AA isn't even a very good domestic flag carrier. Look at destinations in the Western half of the country. I would have to agree that UA, maybe DL, better fits the role.
Flymia From United States of America, joined Jun 2001, 6297 posts, RR: 6 Reply 10, posted (8 years 5 months 2 weeks 3 hours ago) and read 2956 times:
It has to be American. It is the largest airline in the world. And when a country has the largest airline in the world how can it not be its flag carrier. Its Domestic Routes are not to massive buts Carribean and Latin America routes are Massive. Europe is pretty good and Asia is horrible for them. But still AA has to be it. And they are doing better financialy than UA and getting better. Not sure if they beat DL though in financial terms.
"It was just four of us on the flight deck, trying to do our job" (Captain Al Haynes)
Nwafflyer From United States of America, joined Jul 2004, 1050 posts, RR: 2 Reply 12, posted (8 years 5 months 1 week 6 days 11 hours ago) and read 2912 times:
I agree with USAF about NWA. Look at the prescense in the Orient, look at the destinations all over the US, and then look at the European connections possible with KLM and City Hopper through Amsterdam, and the South American connections through Houston with Continental.
Plus, they're financially solid, make extremely good use of their fleet, and are also flexible with that usage, so good business sense. Sure, they're not glamorous like Singapore, not rock bottom prices like some of the LCC, but for an overall flagship airline, I don't think you can beat NWA
USAIRWAYS321 From United States of America, joined Jul 2001, 1806 posts, RR: 10 Reply 13, posted (8 years 5 months 1 week 6 days 1 hour ago) and read 2873 times:
Well, before the Chapter 11 bouts, my answer to this question was always US Airways, based on name, livery, their headquarters being just across the Potomac from the capital and being the largest carrier at DCA. Now, with their financial struggles, I answer United. They have the most expansive route network when you look both domestically and internationally, and their image, as mentioned before, is 2nd to AA's in conveying our nation (excluding US, for me anyway).
UN_B732 From United States of America, joined Jul 2001, 4286 posts, RR: 5 Reply 14, posted (8 years 5 months 1 week 1 day 5 hours ago) and read 2813 times:
Even though US Airways currently has it going on, US Airways is really focused int he Northeast, so I give it to // U N I T E D
Yanksn4 From United States of America, joined Dec 2003, 1392 posts, RR: 13 Reply 16, posted (8 years 5 months 1 week 23 hours ago) and read 2805 times:
In my honest opinion, I don't see a national "flag carrier" and I am also glad there is none. I believe this is one of the greatest things about American aviation, that a number of carriers are able to become big enough where one dosn't have a stranglehold on flights out of the country. It's great to see many numerous American corporations in international settings, instead of just one small little airline from a European country. I know some people are going to get on me for this, but this is what I truely believe.
Delta767300ER From United States of America, joined Dec 2003, 2559 posts, RR: 14 Reply 19, posted (8 years 5 months 5 days 23 hours ago) and read 2776 times:
I would say Delta due to their red white and blue livery, all U.S. made planes, extensive service throughout the country as well as great service. American however is also a good candidate for being the largest and for having "American" as their name.
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