American Airlines News

There's still some distance to go before the two airlines decide to become one but recent mergers between competitors and a big merger in US Airways history provide some promise that they'll get it right.

It's impossible for British Airways to buy AMR outright, but it could bump up its investment level to a point that would give American enough leeway to stay independent of hungry rivals like US Airways.

It took at least a month to get this agreement to share information signed. It makes it seem as if American Airlines was kicking and screaming all along the way.

Amidst contract negotiations, restructuring, and flight attendants' new retirement option, American is dealing with many moving parts and wants to make sure that, at the very least, its flights will run fully staffed -- even if that means turning the clock back a decade.

American's pilots are holding out that they'll both get a sympathetic hearing and then will find a judge who agrees that AMR's "last, best offer" isn't all that great.

Sabre and Travelport clearly have used their market power to stymie American Airlines. It would be interesting to find out from the courts how they ultimately view the antitrust allegations -- but the parties could settle long before that happens.

Matter of course for such large bankruptcies, but will help AA get on a stronger footing to negotiate its eventual possible merger with US Airways.

Even with a "yes" vote, the pilots will have to gain permission from the National Mediation Board. But considering how few people like American's leadership team these days, that might not be so hard.

JetBlue will stick with its grow-it-alone strategy, which is a smart move given American's challenges and poor track record when it comes to mergers and acquisitions.

The reluctant, limited support was tempered by an re-affirmation that the flight attendants would much rather be working for US Airways' Doug Parker than American's Tom Horton.