The new American will remain loyal to the oneworld alliance, which American co-founded. Scott Kirby further told Frequent Business Traveler that “we intend to move out of Star quickly,” noting that US Airways had already stopped selling tickets for Star Alliance flights and adding that “we hope to move into oneworld in the first quarter of next year.”
The next major milestone for the two airlines is a court hearing on November 25, at which the airlines expect to gain approval for the settlement. American already has approval for its reorganization plan from the bankruptcy court.
The deal, if all goes according to plan, will close in the beginning of December.
January 7, 2014, however, will be “a big day for us,” Scott Kirby, who will serve as COO of the combined airline, told Frequent Business Traveler. “We will become a single airline or at least take the first step of becoming a single airline” on that day, and offer reciprocal frequent flyer benefits.
Kirby also told Frequent Business Traveler that there was a “silver lining” to the delay that will result in a “more seamless customer interface” on January 7.
Following that date, the two airlines will continue the normal integration process and move towards obtaining a single operating certificate. The combined airline will be well prepared for integration because “our labor deals are largely done.” Kirby promises that “the process will be smoother than what you’ve seen in other mergers.”
