His U.S. Airways had finally bagged a major partner by agreeing to combine with bankrupt American. The new company would emerge with modest debt as the nation's largest airline, with only three domestic carriers left among its global competitors. The financial crisis was well in the past, the economy was humming and travel seemed to be entering a new golden age. Carriers like American had mastered the science of dynamic fare pricing, and now nearly every seat on every flight was full, maximizing revenue and efficiency. Hailing the arrival of a "new American" by early 2014, Parker was eager to please Wall Street. "I assure you that everything we're doing is focused on maximizing value for our shareholders," he said on a call with investors.
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