Originally Posted by
mtkeller
(The dramatic decline in number of J seats from the old to new config makes equipment swaps much harder to deal with than on the 767-300ER upgrades where there's no change in the number of J seats.)
That is what is making me hopeful that the 747s might be put on the JFK-TLV route, at least on a temporary basis.
February through mid-March have the emptiest planes on this route. Weather here is not conducive to touring and there are no religious holidays to serve as magnets. The seat maps on both of my flights showed Biz Elite about 80% empty and Y about 40%.
It may well be wishful thinking on my part, but it would seem sensible for Delta to use either 777s or the 747s with less Biz capacity on this route until Passover/Easter start packing the flights.
This would also free up the 747s with angled seats to be used for flights with greater demand.