Even if you are the CEO of the world's largest airline, it can be difficult to keep track of all the different products and services.
It's a little awkward when it's a big competitor. It could be a partner. Either way, or both.
Robert Isom, the CEO of American Airlines, said on Monday that he was not aware of the details of the Mint product.
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The antitrust trial over the Northeast Alliance between American and JetBlue took place in Boston. According to the Department of Justice, the alliance is anti-competitive and will lead to higher fares, while the two airlines argue that the alliance is the only way they can compete against Delta and United.
"I've never flown the Mint product, I don't know if Mint is lie-flat, I can't speak to all the amenities they have," Isom said, clarifying that while he was aware that JetBlue "has a domestic first-class product, I can'
There is a distinction between domestic first class and international business class and flagship products.
There was a discussion of lie-flat products between Boston and New York and the California cities of Los Angeles and San Francisco.
The DOJ appeared to argue that the NEA eliminates competition because American and JetBlue both offer lie-flat premium products on those trans-continental routes.
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"With the NEA in place, you don't have to worry about American being followed by other airlines, right?" Bill Jones asked.
There are 20 business-class seats and 10 Flagship First Class seats on American's sub fleet of A321s on that route.
The transcontinental market is important to U.S. airlines, with fare premiums often paid by high volume and high value business travelers.
Premium trans-continental routes are not included in the alliance because they are excluded from the domestic routes.
It wasn't the first time that an American Airlines chief admitted to being unaware of an important product.
The airline's "Project Oasis" cabins, which were the subject of fierce criticism from passengers over cramped seats, tiny lavatories, and lack of in-seat power, were not flown by the former CEO. The final design of the cabin was changed by the airline.
There were landing slots at JFK for American Airlines. Some of them went missing.
American Airlines senior vice president Scott Laurence testified on Monday about his role in the creation of the alliance.
The alliance's intentions and mechanisms were the focus of much of the testimony.
Boston is not constrained in the same way as the New York airports.
The Northeast Alliance allowed us to be a viable competitor in Boston.
The trial is expected to last up to three weeks. The former CEO of American Airlines is expected to testify this week.
The trial in Boston is being reported by TPG.
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