A merger between United Airlines and US Airways could lead to lower airfares for Denver travelers even though it would eliminate a carrier from the market.
Adding US Airways’ regional routes could help United launch a price war with Southwest and Frontier airlines to attract leisure fliers, said travel expert Randy Petersen.
In recent years, United, the No. 1 carrier at Denver International Airport, has focused largely on growing corporate travelers.
“It’s almost as if United is bringing Ted back because most of US Airways is regional jets,” said Petersen, referencing the low-cost carrier United shuttered in 2009. “It actually brings a better class of airfares for Denver fliers.”
As a stand-alone carrier, US Airways doesn’t have the market clout to affect airfares in Denver.
While the merger could cut prices, United’s rebuilt frequent-flier program — considered among the best in the industry — could take a hit while the carrier focuses on integration.
“They probably won’t spend as much time reacting to industry things because if this goes through, it’ll be three or four years to get systems into place,” said Petersen, editor of Inside Flyer magazine.
United and US Airways have a code-share program, which lets customers fly and earn miles on each other’s flights. A combined company likely would lead to a reduction in the number of planes and flights, said Tom Parsons, chief executive of .
“If there’s less planes . . . that means you’re going to have less opportunities to qualify for frequent-flier seats,” Parsons said.
Lisa Simon, who flies out of DIA two to three times a month, lauded United for improving its customer service and frequent-flier program but said a bigger version of the airline doesn’t necessarily appeal to her.
“I’d hate to see them lose ground on their progress by entering into a merger,” Simon said.
Andy Vuong: 303-954-1209, avuong@denverpost.com or
