Survival of the Fittest
So, what happens next? Well, I’ve seen this film before. The big, established players, the ones who’ve weathered storms from volcanic ash to global pandemics, simply wait. They are the lions of the savannah, watching the weaker members of the herd falter. Carriers like United and Delta have the networks, the cash, and the strategic nous to pounce. They can cherry pick the most profitable routes, absorb the displaced passengers, and strengthen their grip on the market without breaking a sweat.
Even Southwest, that curious beast that manages to be both low cost and consistently profitable, is in a prime position. Its efficient, point to point model means it could likely swallow up routes from a failing competitor and make them work. This isn't about charity, it's about cold, hard opportunism. The strong will almost certainly get stronger, whilst the weak are carved up for parts.