Delta overtakes AA at RDU
Dec 29, 2010, 12:31 pm
#16
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I think that was BenA's point in that they could pressure those OALs. One of Delta's strongest assets domestically is their superior network. And when CO left SkyTeam, they lost a big chunk in South Texas. It's really the biggest hole in their network right now.
AUS would be fine and probably has better facilities to handle a focus city operation. But, nor anyone here I suspect, has any data on whether there is profit to made there. Most of the fares that I see into and out of south Texas are some of the lowest of anywhere in the country (sans to/from BRO). That, of course is due to the WN effect and a generally lower prevailing wage, the latter or which is a double edged stone. They have to offer lower fares but they can get employees to work for them for less money too.
AUS would be fine and probably has better facilities to handle a focus city operation. But, nor anyone here I suspect, has any data on whether there is profit to made there. Most of the fares that I see into and out of south Texas are some of the lowest of anywhere in the country (sans to/from BRO). That, of course is due to the WN effect and a generally lower prevailing wage, the latter or which is a double edged stone. They have to offer lower fares but they can get employees to work for them for less money too.
Dec 29, 2010, 1:30 pm
#17
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Back in the 70s I think RDU was considered an AA hub.
Between AA cut-backs over recent years and Delta's aggressive expansion this year... including the DBEQM promo that AA ended up matching, and several new routes, DL overtook AA this year to be the second largest carrier out of RDU (behind WN - didn't realize how far ahead they were as the no 1)
As an RDU based flyer, seems I was not alone in my move from AA to DL this year
http://www.rdu.com/aboutrdu/stats.htm
Between AA cut-backs over recent years and Delta's aggressive expansion this year... including the DBEQM promo that AA ended up matching, and several new routes, DL overtook AA this year to be the second largest carrier out of RDU (behind WN - didn't realize how far ahead they were as the no 1)
As an RDU based flyer, seems I was not alone in my move from AA to DL this year
http://www.rdu.com/aboutrdu/stats.htm
Not sure how aggressive DL will be, as Southwest seems intent on expanding. DL did add 3x daily to MCO recently.
Dec 29, 2010, 1:30 pm
#18
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Actually I believe most ATL pax did the 4-hr drive to BNA rather than the 8-hr haul to RDU. Certainly this one did 
Though the ones that did it thru RDU probably flew up rather than drove and pumped the pax #s even further.
Though the ones that did it thru RDU probably flew up rather than drove and pumped the pax #s even further.
Dec 29, 2010, 3:03 pm
#19
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We'll see how long it lasts. Delta added a bunch of flights this year but has already dropped LAX-RDU (for the third time) and their "new" RDU-MCO flight is merely a resumption of a dropped flight. If things stay this way through December, 2011 I will be delighted, but also surprised.
Dec 29, 2010, 3:25 pm
#20
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We'll see how long it lasts. Delta added a bunch of flights this year but has already dropped LAX-RDU (for the third time) and their "new" RDU-MCO flight is merely a resumption of a dropped flight. If things stay this way through December, 2011 I will be delighted, but also surprised.
And for the umpteenth time I really wish they would make RDU a complete focus city by resuming SLC service.
Dec 29, 2010, 3:39 pm
#21
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^ Yes, it would be great to have SLC back...miss that flight.
Dec 29, 2010, 3:43 pm
#22
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I agree. I was happy with RDU-LAX, but I would probably be much happier with RDU-SLC -- it's tough having to make two connections to some of the smaller spots on the west coast.
Dec 29, 2010, 3:48 pm
#23
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Dec 29, 2010, 5:38 pm
#24
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About 390 Highway Miles from ATL to RDU
I was fascinated with the fact that RDU is only 20 minutes less by air than BWI from Atlanta (55 minutes ATL-RDU, 75 minutes ATL-BWI). I think that the airline mileage is 357 ATL-RDU; 576 ATL-BWI. Raleigh is about 250 miles from Washington by road.
Dec 29, 2010, 7:17 pm
#26
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Even with the E175 it would be a good route. I don't know about the performance issues at SLC but the great circle map shows 1500nm and the standard E175 range is 1800nm.
Dec 30, 2010, 7:08 am
#27
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I would LOVE to see RDU-SLC return. As it stands WN's RDU-DEN is the only direct decent ski trip!
According to local biz rag Triangle Business Journal RDU-LAX is the most requested route, but I am sure they could make SLC work.
Thinking about it if WN can make PHX and DEN work don't see any reason DL can't make LAX and SLC work
Funny quote from about.com section on family ski resorts:
6 of 8
Prev Next
Family Skiing in Utah
"Photo © Teresa Plowright"
Alta Ski Resort.
short-cut to: family skiing in New England, Pennsylvania, New York State, Colorado, Canada.
"The Greatest Snow on Earth" - that's the slogan in Utah: Utah's Wasatch Range is part of the Rockies, and we're talking "champagne powder" -- very smooth, light, dry.
But that's not all Utah's got going for it. Salt Lake City is a major hub for airlines, and pretty much any city in the US has a direct flight of just a few hours to SLC
According to local biz rag Triangle Business Journal RDU-LAX is the most requested route, but I am sure they could make SLC work.
Thinking about it if WN can make PHX and DEN work don't see any reason DL can't make LAX and SLC work
Funny quote from about.com section on family ski resorts:
6 of 8
Prev Next
Family Skiing in Utah
"Photo © Teresa Plowright"
Alta Ski Resort.
short-cut to: family skiing in New England, Pennsylvania, New York State, Colorado, Canada.
"The Greatest Snow on Earth" - that's the slogan in Utah: Utah's Wasatch Range is part of the Rockies, and we're talking "champagne powder" -- very smooth, light, dry.
But that's not all Utah's got going for it. Salt Lake City is a major hub for airlines, and pretty much any city in the US has a direct flight of just a few hours to SLC
Dec 30, 2010, 9:01 am
#28
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Don't forget AA has some serious contracts in RDU....as in RDU - LHR.
AA has never gone bankrupt nor voided workers pensions.
AA has always been a conservative company, and will continue to be. Expect DFW to be a serious fortress. ORD is a massive AA hub. They have a large presence in NYC.
If I were AA, I'd be shopping.........probably for Jetblue.
Dave
AA has never gone bankrupt nor voided workers pensions.
AA has always been a conservative company, and will continue to be. Expect DFW to be a serious fortress. ORD is a massive AA hub. They have a large presence in NYC.
If I were AA, I'd be shopping.........probably for Jetblue.
Dave
AA has been way too slow to adapt to the current market.
Dec 30, 2010, 9:12 am
#29
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Interesting....
Mainline 2010 YTD through November
DL 585,440
NW 30,816
Total 616,256
Mainline 2009 YTD through November
DL 449,920
NW 190,452
Total 640,372
Change 2010 vs 2009 YTD = (24,116)
So even with the added flights (mostly regional) and the DMQM promo, the combined entity is off by 3.6% year on year, correct? Not promising, unless I am missing something.
Edit - cfischer beat me by 6 minutes.......
Mainline 2010 YTD through November
DL 585,440
NW 30,816
Total 616,256
Mainline 2009 YTD through November
DL 449,920
NW 190,452
Total 640,372
Change 2010 vs 2009 YTD = (24,116)
So even with the added flights (mostly regional) and the DMQM promo, the combined entity is off by 3.6% year on year, correct? Not promising, unless I am missing something.
Edit - cfischer beat me by 6 minutes.......
NW used to fly A319's to MSP, nowadays it's mostly CR9's, but there's 1-2x more frequency. So it's not apples to apples.
Dec 30, 2010, 11:25 am
#30
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DL could go along way to keeping me at RDU once the mileage promotion ends by improving the baggage unload - which seems to consistently be the worst in the system. A 30-40 minute wait is not unusual in the evening. Not sure if it is a terminal 2 layout problem, or a staffing and commitment problem but the result is pretty bad. On an arrival on US at terminal 1 earlier this week bags were out in < 10 minutes.