U.S. Airlines look to home trotters market

According to USA Today “home trotters” is the new term for immigrants who travel regularly from the United States to their country of origin to visit relatives and friends they left behind. Traditionally, foreign airlines had a distinct advantage those based in the U.S. because they knew their market better - but many of the major carriers are stepping up the competition.

United, American and Continental have opened up routes to China, Vietnam and India in the hopes of attracting corporate travelers to their business class cabins while competing with foreign carriers to fill coach seats with immigrants returning to their nations of origin.