Three years later, the loss of JFK remains a divisive point of contention for employees and a huge missed opportunity for United. In the meantime, United is still placing ads like the one above all over New York City. But like the hot housing market right now, United is going to have to pay a very high premium…and that is unlikely to be worthwhile at this stage.
Of course, United cannot undo the deal with Delta and Kirby “doesn’t see a feasible organic solution to getting back in there.”įeasible is the key word. To United’s credit, it still holds a plurality on New York market share (if you count Newark, which I certainly do) and is profitable.īut Kirby told a trade conference this week that United wants back into New York JFK. Up until now, Kirby has said it was a mistake but United had no desire to resume flying at JFK. > Read More: United Airlines Regrets Leaving New York JFK Several corporate contracts that used United for international flights from the West Coast were lost as well. While United’s transcon flights were losing money, United failed to anticipate the ripple effect it would have across other lucrative routes. To sum up his thoughts, it was penny-wise, pound-foolish. Last year, I wrote about United President Scott Kirby conceding it was a mistake for United to abandon New York. In 2015, United sold its 26 New York Kennedy (JFK) slots to Delta.
