Flight Route Discussions

[Ellen]

I hope I am not starting a duplicate thread.
Sometimes think about specific routes and have questions.
I think DDF is the perfect platform to explain to newbies why airlines operate or don't operate certain routes.

Examples (in pre-Covid times):
NYC-DXB Why is EK the only one to fly this route?
NYC-VIE Operated daily by OS (to JFK and EWR), but no US carrier. Why?
NYC-MUC Operated thrice daily, only by SA carriers (LH, UA). Why wouldn't DL take it up?

I would guess that some routes are only operated by 1 carrier due to low demand (NYC-KBP), but routes that are serviced by a foreign carrier twice a day? Do those countries restrict US carriers from flying there?
Obviously, these questions were before COVID, but I assume the answer is still the same...

[Dan]

UA tried DXB. There's no way to compete with EK on that route. They compete on price, schedule, and service and don't need to be profitable.
VIE is too small and OS owns that market. Not worth it.
*A dominates Germany, not worth it for others to try.

[PlatinumGuy]

UA tried DXB. There's no way to compete with EK on that route. They compete on price, schedule, and service and don't need to be profitable.
VIE is too small and OS owns that market. Not worth it.
*A dominates Germany, not worth it for others to try.

To add to that - very few pax arrive or depart from DXB, it's mostly a transit hub and UA has no way of accessing those passengers.
MUC is a hub for Star Alliance and which isn't relevant for AA/DL.