The latest unsubstantiated report is that Delta might go after US Airways.
It is also possible that American - which has announced it will cut up to 15,000 jobs, terminate employee pension plans, and reap $2 billion in annual cost savings - will come out of bankruptcy a credible stand-alone company, which is what American wants.
Speculation was further fueled when US Airways chief executive officer Doug Parker told analysts last week that the airline had hired advisers to study a possible bid and that although it did not need a merger, the fifth-largest U.S. carrier was "always interested" in weighing its options.
US Airways has a history of making plays for larger airlines - twice for United Airlines in 2008 and 2010, after which United tied the knot with Continental Airlines Inc., and once in 2007 for then-bankrupt Delta, which merged instead with Northwest Airlines Corp.
"I think people are basically stirring the pot at this point in time," said aviation consultant Robert W. Mann. "I don't have a view as to what's likely, or more likely, or less likely. Just that it will be many months before American presents a reorganization plan and everybody else has a chance to take a shot at it."
As for what would be best for Philadelphia travelers and air service at Philadelphia International Airport, opinions vary.
The surest bet would be for US Airways to go it alone, grow as the economy improves, and retain the more than 400 daily departures in Philadelphia today.
The best growth opportunity for US Airways might be to merge with American - especially if US Airways' management team could end up at the helm.
In this scenario, some think that the combined airline - likely to be called American - would retain the lucrative corporate and local-passenger traffic at New York's JFK Airport, but because of slot constraints that limit American's growth there, shift some European service to Philadelphia.
