American and United Diverge on Summer Recovery Expectations
Skift Take
American and United are taking different approaches in the Covid-19 recovery. Each has valid reasons for their strategies, which seem rooted in how they view the U.S. market's potential.
The three major U.S. global airlines usually report similar demand weakness and strengths, but during the Covid-19 pandemic, American Airlines and United Airlines have taken divergent paths.
Between May 24 and May 29, American carried an average of 110,330 daily passengers, a number low by historical standards, but robust compared to what some other airlines have reported. By comparison, at an investor conference last week, United CEO Scott Kirby said his airline flew slightly fewer than 50,000 passengers on May 27.
That discrepancy may continue at least through July, as both airlines have made clear their plans for next month. On Thursday, American announced it will substantially boost its July domestic flight schedule, as it seeks to capitalize on what it claims is momentum. United will increase flights, too, but not by so much.
American will fly about 40 percent of its planned July schedule, while United will fly about 25 percent. Both airlines have been slashing their long
