Wondering exactly what the merger of American Airlines and US Airways will mean? Curious as to what the largest airline in the world consists of?
Here is what we know:
- Employee count will total over 90,000.
- Loyalty program customers reach 100 million members.
- Total market overlap between the airlines is only 2%.
- Combined operating fleet reaches 900 jets.
- Hub count is 8, with 3 official focus cities.
- Official merging of FAA certificate expected in 18 months.
- Average fleet growth of 5 aircraft per month with combined outstanding orders.
- MD-80 retirement accelerated to 30 this year, replacing with 737-800s and some Airbus.
No word yet on what changes may actually be seen with their 100-seater allocation, possible Shuttle product changes (though they say it’s not going anywhere), re-painting timeline, who may or may not be losing their jobs as a result of this merger, or any of the other countless questions that will be answered as time continues to move forward to the merging of these two giants.
Needless to say, more to come!