Like most domestic carriers United Airlines is looking to cut service this fall/winter in hopes that they can avoid bankruptcy and/or liquidation. The latest salvo in this battle was the announcement yesterday that they will be pulling out of Ft. Lauderdale and Palm Beach completely, shifting all that traffic to their Miami operations.
These cuts would seem to be a part of the previously announced intent to shed the Ted brand. The traffic in those markets is predominantly leisure passengers who are more price sensitive and competition from other carriers (Spirit, JetBlue, etc.) seems to keep the fares low, reducing yields. And United wasn’t offering a first class cabin, which actually does sell pretty well into PBI and into FLL to a slightly lesser extent.
I guess I shouldn’t be surprised as I see markets close up. The other airlines are doing it too. But it is always sad to see knowing that the options for people to travel keep shrinking.
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