http://blogs.usatoday.com/sky/2006/06/delta_2.html

So when is US going to wake up and see their (bankrupt) competition is actually putting money into UPGRADING the service, not removing F seats and then not replacing them.

http://blogs.usatoday.com/sky/2006/06/delta_2.html

So when is US going to wake up and see their (bankrupt) competition is actually putting money into UPGRADING the service, not removing F seats and then not replacing them.

In all fairness, many of the planes DL will be using for this service are formerly Song planes (i.e. all coach seating jets). Although the article draws certain inferences to UA's p.s. service, from what I hear, the DL product will be nothing even in the same ballpark as UA's p.s. --- I'm sure we're not going to see the lay-flat sleeper beds; 3 classes of service; access to international first lounges (considering DL doesn't even have an international F product) and all of the other bells and whistles from UA's p.s. service on DL.

DL's first class product is probably worse than US's or about on-par with HP's.

In all fairness, many of the planes DL will be using for this service are formerly Song planes (i.e. all coach seating jets). Although the article draws certain inferences to UA's p.s. service, from what I hear, the DL product will be nothing even in the same ballpark as UA's p.s. --- I'm sure we're not going to see the lay-flat sleeper beds; 3 classes of service; access to international first lounges (considering DL doesn't even have an international F product) and all of the other bells and whistles from UA's p.s. service on DL.

DL's first class product is probably worse than US's or about on-par with HP's.

True, but I guess the point is that other airlines are recognizing that people will pay for a quality product. CO is upgrading it's F product. AA just installed new lay-flat beds in their international 767. US just seems to be focusing on shipping bodies at this point.

However, my policy for US at this point is to give them a 1 year mulligan to complete the merger. After that they are officially on the clock in my book.

I recently made the switch from US to DL for most of my flying. I have both purchased F tickets and cleared on upgrade. These are my observations:

1. Lots of widebody service, especially transcon (777 form ATL to LAX). The interiors are a little dated but dated F is better than new Y. ^ ^

2. Phasing out Song flights but if you do get stuck on a Song configured aircraft at least there's free satellite TV. ^

3. Meals in F only on flights of 3.5 hours or longer. One meal option, not two. Served on china. Drinks in large plastic cups. Special cocktails served (this month mango martini and mojitos). ^ and :td:

4. Predeparture beverage in F and a snack basket passed a few times. ^

5. Upgrade system is easy to understand and there are large monitors at the gates in major DL cities showing upgrade lists, where everyone stands and how many seats are available. Diminishes the guessing game. ^

6. If you do not clear with your elite window you do not go back into the queue until you check in at the airport not when you check in on-line. :td:


My thoughts are that DL is positioning their F product to compete with AA and UA while US is positioning to compete with WN and B6. When you compare US to WN, US seems like the winner. When you compare US to DL and AA, well, you figure it out.

I had inadvertently started another thread on this subject, but I heard on Today this morning that DL plans to add F seating to the old Song aircraft as part of the transcon transformation. There was also an article in the Delta newsroom dated June 14 on the DL website about their new international BusinessElite service at this link: http://news.delta.com/article_display.cfm?article_id=10267

This is the link to the Today show video about DL's new transcon:
http://video.msn.com/v/us/msnbc.htm?g=c8d57969-b2b4-45db-9f0d-9c84c30001b8&f=00&fg=copy

I had inadvertently started another thread on this subject, but I heard on Today this morning that DL plans to add F seating to the old Song aircraft as part of the transcon transformation. There was also an article in the Delta newsroom dated June 14 on the DL website about their new international BusinessElite service at this link: http://news.delta.com/article_display.cfm?article_id=10267

This is the link to the Today show video about DL's new transcon:
http://video.msn.com/v/us/msnbc.htm?g=c8d57969-b2b4-45db-9f0d-9c84c30001b8&f=00&fg=copy

The old Song birds will be converted to first class in the same configuration as the current DL planes which have 24 F seats. The 757 is my favorite plane and sure beats the 8 on US.

In addition the coach seats keep the current pitch in the back as the old Song birds which is 33”/34”. Add in the new offerings and you have a much better plane for a transcon.

I attended a meeting about a month ago with most of the senior management of DL. They do get it and you can expect to see many more improvements in the coming year. The most impressive statement of the evening was made by the current COO (ex PM before joining DL), and odds on favorite to become the next CEO, Jim Whitehurst. He basically said the reason DL was in bankruptcy was they had cut too much and had to add back many services to effective compete for the VFF dollars. So far everything he told us was going to happen that evening is coming true with many more improvements coming.

The only thing I have missed on US is the CP angels, but I’ve since found out that DL has that covered as well. I doubt I will be coming back to US any time soon.

True, but I guess the point is that other airlines are recognizing that people will pay for a quality product.
Actually, they're hoping that people will pay for a quality product. I'd pay extra, and I imagine you would too. Whether there's enough of us to sustain an airline, only time will tell. AA's MRTC was a crashing failure. UA is trying it, but hasn't actually made any money. Time will tell whether DL is actually able to convert perks into revenue.

Actually, they're hoping that people will pay for a quality product. I'd pay extra, and I imagine you would too. Whether there's enough of us to sustain an airline, only time will tell. AA's MRTC was a crashing failure. UA is trying it, but hasn't actually made any money. Time will tell whether DL is actually able to convert perks into revenue.

Good point. I guess all these complaints/suggestions by VFFs about service enhancements are only as good as the bottom line for the airline. As it stands right now, US has proven to be "correct" over 90% of the competititon as they have turned a quarterly profit. As you said, only time will tell.

Good point. I guess all these complaints/suggestions by VFFs about service enhancements are only as good as the bottom line for the airline. As it stands right now, US has proven to be "correct" over 90% of the competititon as they have turned a quarterly profit. As you said, only time will tell.

Good point. The biggest area of complaint on the US transatlantic service has been the dated condition of the 767's. They are all due for a major refurb which will occur in waves later this year, to bring the 767 Envoy cabin up to A330 standard. Whatever I may personally think about the 'new US', it's encouraging to see investment in the premium product.

Good point. I guess all these complaints/suggestions by VFFs about service enhancements are only as good as the bottom line for the airline. As it stands right now, US has proven to be "correct" over 90% of the competititon as they have turned a quarterly profit. As you said, only time will tell.


For me US lost my $40K+ a year. I have 125+ segments on US since 1/1 and only will book flights on US if absolutely necessary. They have lost ALL of my money (ok, my company's $$$). I have gone to NW/CO. I know people complain about the skyteam and award trips, but I will NO LONGER have potato chips for breakfast on a 3 hour (+/-) flight!!! Wohoo!

And to tell you the truth, NW and CO have been VERY good to me!