IPFreely wrote:Kbud wrote:American couldn't make ORD work to Asia. I would have to bet that they have much more connecting passenger traffic there compared to Alaska in Seattle.
"In business, competition is never as healthy as total domination.” - Peter Lynch.
In Chicago, American had to compete with an 800 lb gorilla for ORD-Asia.
In Seattle there is no 800 lb gorilla, only a 400 lb gorilla. And American isn't competing with the 400 lb gorilla, they've partnered with it.
AA's oneworld partner CX still serves HKG nonstop from ORD, and AA's oneworld partner JL still serves TYO nonstop from ORD.
Reasons why AA's partners CX and JL can likely make Asia to ORD nonstop service work include:
(a) Chicago, Hong Kong, and Tokyo all being major financial centers and business destinations,
(b) CX and JL having stronger brand recognition in Asia,
(c) Both CX and JL having a frequent flyer base in Asia to support CX HKG-ORD and JL TYO-ORD nonstop service,
(d) AA being able to connect passengers onto CX ORD-HKG and JL ORD-TYO nonstop flights from other U.S. destinations east of the Mississippi River,
(e) CX and JL being able to connect passengers onto AA domestic flights out of ORD to destinations east of the Mississippi River, and
(f) U.S.-based passengers being able to book JL ORD-TYO nonstop flights through AA.