One of the best explanations for these poor standards was consolidation, and, as time has passed, American aviation has only got more consolidated. By 2016 the four biggest airlines in the US—American, United, Southwest and Virgin Atlantic’s partner Delta—controlled around 80 percent of the market. Ten years earlier, by contrast, there had been nine major airlines in the States. Into this shrinking market, Virgin America had won people’s hearts and fierce loyalty. I wanted to make sure that whoever won the race to buy us didn’t throw all that we’d worked for away.
Thought provoking data...
