ABOUT THE DEAL
American Airlines emerged from bankruptcy protection and US Airways culminates its long pursuit of a merger partner when the two completed their deal Monday to create the world’s biggest airline, with nearly 6,500 daily flights to more than 330 destinations in more than 50 countries and more than 100,000 employees worldwide.
INSIDE
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MyAJC.com
After years of wrangling and a legal challenge that nearly sank the whole deal, US Airways and American Airlines closed their merger Monday, creating the world’s largest airline.
So what does it mean for the average traveler? Not a whole lot for now: The airlines say it’s business as usual. But changes to the airlines’ operations will start next year, and will soon accelerate as US Airways and American work to combine their business.
The combined airline’s busiest hub will be Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, followed by Charlotte Douglas International Airport. The new carrier will be called American Airlines and will be headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas.
Everything from frequent-flier programs to employee unions, from paint schemes to reservations systems, must be combined. Here’s what you need to know about the new American Airlines.
Gradual changes
If you’re expecting the planes’ tails at the airport to be a sea of American red, white and blue next time you fly, think again: Combining the airlines will take years. Changes visible to customers won’t happen until early next year.
US Airways and American Airlines will begin combining their frequent-flier plans as soon as the first week in January. Fliers will keep all of their miles, and will be able to combine their miles from both airlines. Soon, the airlines will start offering reciprocal access to each other’s airport lounges.
The airlines will operate separately for a year and a half to two years, US Airways spokeswoman Michelle Mohr said.
“It will be some time before we start consolidating ticket counters and gates at our airports, and you won’t see US Airways planes immediately painted in American colors,” said Mohr.
Hubs remain, for now
As part of the settlement US Airways and American reached with the U.S. Justice Department to get approval for the merger, they agreed to maintain service at their hubs for three years at current levels.
Of course, there are cautionary tales from other airports showing what can happen to hubs when their main airline cuts service. Pittsburgh is one of the starkest examples, and the one most often cited by aviation analysts: The city lost hundreds of daily US Airways flights and much of the airport was left unused after US Airways dropped the city as a hub during the last decade.
Big changes for employees
The combined company will have more than 100,000 employees. Many supported the merger push because they’re in line for higher wages and more stable careers after a decade of cutbacks, bankruptcies and combinations of major airlines.
US Airways pilots are in line to receive pay raises of 25 to 40 percent, for example.
But some labor uncertainty is also likely as the companies work to merge their employee unions. Flight attendants at US Airways and American are feuding over whose union will represent the combined work group, for example.
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