Two weeks on, and Delta is already cutting flights

[oz_mark]

Two weeks on, and Delta is already cutting flights

DELTA AIR LINES will reduce flights between Australia and the US for three months, two weeks after launching services, amid intense competition on the route.

In an embarrassing decision, the world's largest airline has blamed the reduction of its daily service to six flights a week between September 6 and December 6 on the need to carry out maintenance on one of its long-haul Boeing 777s.

 

[Slats7]

Not a good sign.

 

[NYCguy]

No news of UA reducing frequencies out of AU, hmmm?

 

[ANstar]

YOu would think they would have known about the 777LR needing MX before they launched this route.... or even better, the could sub it with a 772er... sounds like it is more about loads during the off season than MX.

 

[odysseus]

No news of UA reducing frequencies out of AU, hmmm?

Who knows; it's a bit early for any established player to move.

 

[Saab34]

YOu would think they would have known about the 777LR needing MX before they launched this route.... or even better, the could sub it with a 772er... sounds like it is more about loads during the off season than MX.

Without doubt you are right, and of course the media will see right through it... just like Jetstar's "Swine Flu" Excuse to scrap piles of empty Japan bound flights.

Early signs that its only going to get worse for DL. I doubt we will see this service return

 

[dajop]

Early signs that its only going to get worse for DL. I doubt we will see this service return

That's why the proposed JV between VA & DL is probably important for both airlines. Otherwise somethings gotta give. Even with the JV, it may not guarantee continuation of DL services, in fact maybe the opposite and make it a lot easier for DL to go down the AA/QF path with VA/DJ.

 

[Bundy Bear]

I am wondering whether they are going to send a different 777 that is used on another route for repair and using the 777 that was for Australia on that route.

But it doesn't look good.

 

[Dee Thom]

That's why the proposed JV between VA & DL is probably important for both airlines.
I agree with you dajop, seems the obvious way to put bums in seats, and DL can utilise the excess metal elsewhere.
Cheers Dee

 

[fortymilliondaggers]

That's why the proposed JV between VA & DL is probably important for both airlines.
I agree with you dajop, seems the obvious way to put bums in seats, and DL can utilise the excess metal elsewhere.
Cheers Dee

Didn't you read the article, Dee? There is no excess metal.

 

[Nigelinoz]

Early signs that its only going to get worse for DL. I doubt we will see this service return

Not that this means anything but a client who flies to the US and return very regularly has told me that the Delta timetable has daily flights restored from mid December onwards.
My contact was on a flight last week and reported an almost full aircraft and said it was a great flight with good food and friendly crew.

 

[Snowmoo]

Well the two flights that I know of where people have travelled on DL between syd and LAX have been totally full.

 

[ANstar]

Well the two flights that I know of where people have travelled on DL between syd and LAX have been totally full.

I'd expect them all to be full given it is shcool holidays and high travel season.

 

[dajop]

Well the two flights that I know of where people have travelled on DL between syd and LAX have been totally full.

My partner flew on DL between SYD and LAX and they were full in both directions, including an op-up from SYD-LAX. However full flights when fares around the $1k mark are being offered doesn't necessarily mean high yielding/profitable flights. If the J cabin is empty (or full of elites with comp upgrades) then that wouldn't auger well.

 

[auriga]

Does not look good indeed.

 

[Nigelinoz]

What is going on here? An airline announces that it is cutting one flight for a period of 3 months and all of a sudden it's viewed as some portent of doom for DL.
Has anybody here actually heard of taking what an organisation says at face value and actually believing them when they give the reason as due to maintanance requirements?
Perhaps those here who apparently have such great insight into the airline business would like to read between the lines of this story.

United feels heat but vows to stand firm

 

[straitman]

What is going on here? An airline announces that it is cutting one flight for a period of 3 months and all of a sudden it's viewed as some portent of doom for DL.
Has anybody here actually heard of taking what an organisation says at face value and actually believing them when they give the reason as due to maintanance requirements?
Perhaps those here who apparently have such great insight into the airline business would like to read between the lines of this story.

United feels heat but vows to stand firm

Well said NIGELINOZ.

 

[file51]

Well said NIGELINOZ.

Ditto to the above.

..adding to that, I have a friend who works for Delta in the U.S. and whilst they havent given any exact numbers, they say that loadings for the next 2-3 months are very, very good, more than expected.

Read into that what you will

 

[Snowmoo]

Well I met Mrs Moo at Syd this morning after getting off QF12 from LAX. They came from Atlanta via LAX.

Same plane from Atlanta all the way to Syd. Mrs Moo mentioned that economy was packed, but Business was nearly empty.

She cracked it bigtime when i told her that I had been op-up'd for a second time in a row from LAX to Syd. I looked fresh and she hadn't slept.

 

[straitman]

She cracked it bigtime when i told her that I had been op-up'd for a second time in a row from LAX to Syd. I looked fresh and she hadn't slept.

Isn't that the sort of thing that you don't tell wives unless you want to lower your life expectancy :?: