While most commentators aren’t worried about United cutting back domestic flights next year and focusing on growing their international presence. They aren’t dropping cities from their route network, at least in the current announcement.

But I’m still concerned because their plans project a 28.5% increase in the number of regional jets that United will operate next year. That’s huge. Only a few of those jets — CR7s operated by Mesa — have first class seats. More regional jets are in and of themselves a cutback in elite benefits, because it means fewer planes and fewer flights where it’s possible to upgrade. Egads.