RUMOUR: DL to fly to MEL
Jul 14, 2014, 6:21 am
#1
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RUMOUR: DL to fly to MEL
According to a few sources, DL is likely to replace VA on MEL-LAX this coming September, which is less than 2 months away - what do you guys think? Would you use DL on MEL-LAX when theres the option of QF's A380 and soon UA's 789?
I think it might be a little too soon for September but it seems plausible.
I think it might be a little too soon for September but it seems plausible.
Jul 14, 2014, 7:03 am
#2
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In economy, significantly more seat width (18.5 inches on DL, versus 17.5 on QF A380 and 17.3 on the UA 787).
Jul 14, 2014, 8:44 am
#3
Join Date: May 2012
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September does seem a little too soon to be starting service, especially with the fall long-haul schedule being seemingly finalized at this point. But I would be neither surprised nor upset (I've never flown VA) to see this change happen at some point, especially if DL adds more frequency to the route.
Jul 14, 2014, 10:30 am
#4
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Seems too late to me to be making this announcement, but I suppose it would work.
I seem to recall a recent thread commenting on the use of the 77L, and that the only routes where a 77L was needed was ATL-JNB, ATL-DXB, and LAX-SYD. Doesn't DL have more 77L's than what is needed to support those three routes, so LAX-MEL would be a way to use up excess capacity?
I seem to recall a recent thread commenting on the use of the 77L, and that the only routes where a 77L was needed was ATL-JNB, ATL-DXB, and LAX-SYD. Doesn't DL have more 77L's than what is needed to support those three routes, so LAX-MEL would be a way to use up excess capacity?
Jul 14, 2014, 10:33 am
#5
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Seems too late to me to be making this announcement, but I suppose it would work.
I seem to recall a recent thread commenting on the use of the 77L, and that the only routes where a 77L was needed was ATL-JNB, ATL-DXB, and LAX-SYD. Doesn't DL have more 77L's than what is needed to support those three routes, so LAX-MEL would be a way to use up excess capacity?
I seem to recall a recent thread commenting on the use of the 77L, and that the only routes where a 77L was needed was ATL-JNB, ATL-DXB, and LAX-SYD. Doesn't DL have more 77L's than what is needed to support those three routes, so LAX-MEL would be a way to use up excess capacity?
Jul 14, 2014, 10:33 am
#6
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This is good to hear. I flew on a 006 ticket on the VA codeshare last year.
Due to the GUC option this year I booked my trip next week to MEL with a connection in SYD so I can hopefully sit up front. (Wide open at the moment)
I'm wondering if this will US seasonal switching between DL and VA due to the opposite seasons.
Due to the GUC option this year I booked my trip next week to MEL with a connection in SYD so I can hopefully sit up front. (Wide open at the moment)
I'm wondering if this will US seasonal switching between DL and VA due to the opposite seasons.
Jul 14, 2014, 11:10 am
#7
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Seems too late to me to be making this announcement, but I suppose it would work.
I seem to recall a recent thread commenting on the use of the 77L, and that the only routes where a 77L was needed was ATL-JNB, ATL-DXB, and LAX-SYD. Doesn't DL have more 77L's than what is needed to support those three routes, so LAX-MEL would be a way to use up excess capacity?
I seem to recall a recent thread commenting on the use of the 77L, and that the only routes where a 77L was needed was ATL-JNB, ATL-DXB, and LAX-SYD. Doesn't DL have more 77L's than what is needed to support those three routes, so LAX-MEL would be a way to use up excess capacity?
Jul 20, 2014, 7:09 pm
#9
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I think VA has already established that there is demand for <weekly LAX-MEL, has a few tickets sold, and a 777-200LR is easier to fill than a 777-300ER. I hope it's incremental DL-operated service to Australia and DL on LAX-SYD will see no reduction.
Jul 20, 2014, 11:01 pm
#11
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Jul 20, 2014, 11:39 pm
#12
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September does seem a little too soon to be starting service, especially with the fall long-haul schedule being seemingly finalized at this point. But I would be neither surprised nor upset (I've never flown VA) to see this change happen at some point, especially if DL adds more frequency to the route.
Jul 20, 2014, 11:47 pm
#13
Join Date: Nov 2009
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According to a few sources, DL is likely to replace VA on MEL-LAX this coming September, which is less than 2 months away - what do you guys think? Would you use DL on MEL-LAX when theres the option of QF's A380 and soon UA's 789?
I think it might be a little too soon for September but it seems plausible.
I think it might be a little too soon for September but it seems plausible.
What I have heard is that Delta would take over LAX-MEL allowing VA to go from 4x weekly to daily on LAX-BNE, Virgin does 3x weekly LAX-MEL and 4x weekly LAX-BNE. (also BNE is the large VA hub vs MEL)
maybe UA going non-stop will finally push DL/VA to go daily on LAX-MEL.
However, 1) I don't see it happening in September. Maybe, just because its a JV route, so not really starting a new flight, but I would think that if DL was going to go higher than 3x weekly they would give it more time than 2 months. 2) I don't think this will have an effect on LAX-SYD. Virgin doesn't have the aircraft to go double daily and I can't see DL/VA going less than 2x daily. Also can't really see them wanting to add more capacity at the moment.
Jul 21, 2014, 2:25 am
#14
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So if this happened, would VA go daily on BNE and DL go daily on MEL?
Wouldn't DL need 3 777's for this? Maybe if it's just a seasonal thing during the Northern Winter it could work...there's slack in the widebody fleet to potentially move pieces around. I can't see how they'd do it needing 3 aircraft during the Northern Summer.
Wouldn't DL need 3 777's for this? Maybe if it's just a seasonal thing during the Northern Winter it could work...there's slack in the widebody fleet to potentially move pieces around. I can't see how they'd do it needing 3 aircraft during the Northern Summer.
Jul 21, 2014, 5:54 am
#15
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So if this happened, would VA go daily on BNE and DL go daily on MEL?
Wouldn't DL need 3 777's for this? Maybe if it's just a seasonal thing during the Northern Winter it could work...there's slack in the widebody fleet to potentially move pieces around. I can't see how they'd do it needing 3 aircraft during the Northern Summer.
Wouldn't DL need 3 777's for this? Maybe if it's just a seasonal thing during the Northern Winter it could work...there's slack in the widebody fleet to potentially move pieces around. I can't see how they'd do it needing 3 aircraft during the Northern Summer.