Madone59

+1 It's still better then a stick in the eye.

MSPeconomist

I agree, but folks need to be aware of the problems.

kop84

It will be over the very nano-second one of the sides decides that no more $$$ can be made from the partnership...until that point comes they will deal with each other. DL or AS would code with JS if they thought there was a buck to be made (and it was legal...legalish)

rucksack

Right now it makes enormous sense for DL to buy AS -- they would effectively have a monopoly on many of the SEA routes. As others have pointed out though, this proposal would be subject to considerable DOJ scrutiny for this reason.

AA could buy AS as a preemptive strike, though I doubt that would happen any time soon given their ongoing merger with US Airways. I think if AA were to make a bid for AS, they would face less DOJ scrutiny because of Delta's competition in the SEA and ANC markets, but I'm still not sure how much tolerance the DOJ has for further consolidation within then industry.

SJC ORD LDR

Not much better. You can't get a better seat. The remaining prefered seats aren't any better than a regular Y seat that anyone can get. You have to pay for bags like any other non elite. I fail to see why the partnership even exists anymore.

Dieuwer

DL does fine in SEA without buying AS. Growing organically instead of going into debt to buy the competition usually is preferred.

anc-ord772

It is all about the network. I know the perks are disappearing, but out of LAX access to DL is a BIG plus. Also, when crediting to AS, mileage earnings on higher fares are generous.

SamuelS

It is largely DL that has driven/initiated most of these changes. DL took away EconomyComfort seats from MVP Golds. DL removed the free checked bag benefits from MVP(G). AS has simply reciprocated.

On the flip side, AS and AA continue to have full reciprocal benefits - including access to the AS bulkhead / exit seats for AA top tier members, priority boarding and free checked bag - just like AS top tier elites have access to MCE seating on AA, free bags, Priority Access etc.

While the partnership is certainly strained, DL and AS continue to have several codeshares in several markets where it makes sense - e.g. I flew last week on AS metal on a DL coded / DL ticketed itinerary with a connection on AS from TUS-SEA and DL onwards from SEA. Being able to purchase a DL through fare made me choose a r/t DL ticket that I probably would not have had the codeshare/through-fare not been available.

It's a shame DL has fallen out with AS as I like flying both carriers and both have a really solid operation these days. Even with MCE seating, PriorityAccess and free bags on AA, I would still far, far prefer to fly DL when not flying on AS.

HDQDD

I don't think it gets much better than it is now. The current admin rubber stamped every airline merger thrown their way; eliminating 3 airlines (CO, US, FL). AS is smaller than any of those...

apodo77

Same here. Much prefer AS's mileage plan to DL's and book all my DL travel to AS.

Not sure what I would do if the relationship ended for my weekly business travel. PBI is home airport now so I don't fly any AS metal. Almost all DL and a limited amount of AA.

MSPeconomist

At the moment, DL is still showing me the 7 am MSP-SEA flight operated by AS as sell as the DL 9 am flight when I search for TPAC destinations served from SEA.

Isn't the remaining value of the partnership the tiny chance of upgrades on the day of departure for DL elites riding on AS flights and AS eluted traveling on DL "domestic" flights?

gator21

deleted

carljanderson

Assuming the government doesn't block a DL/AS merger on grounds that US needs AS as a standalone, I don't see how else the gov't can scrutinize a DL/AS tie up. How is a potential DL/AS (or anyone/AS) merger any more anti-competitive than WN/FL, UA/CO, AA/US, and DL/NW? Yes, it would suck especially for those in the PacNW and AK, but when you look at from a national perspective, just how harmful is it relative to the above mergers?


SEA isn't slot controlled, so as far as routes go, maybe they would have to give up a SEA-JFK slot or two.

I could see the gov't forcing any potential new DL/AS to give up a fair number of gates in SEA. Something like all of N and some of either C or D.

As long as SEA can accommodate new entrants or have the space to allow another airline to grow in SEA, what else can the gov' object to? I don't think those in D.C. even know where SEA is, let alone the west coast. If it doesn't affect their beloved DCA, they seem to care less.

That being said, I don't think DL is going to make a play for AS anytime soon.

Agreed.

I don't think it matters who/what is in the administration. Big business will get its way more often than not. Someone has to fund the campaigns.

IsleOfMan

About 18 months ago I status-matched from DL to AS, mainly to be able to consolidate both DL and AA earnings in one account. What I didn't expect was the ease of upgrades on AS TCONs using Gold Guest certs and Instant Complimentary Upgrades. While AS F isn't Delta One by any means, it's consistent and I never have to worry about being 45/70 on a gate upgrade list. In 18 months I've only missed one TCON upgrade, and that was booked less than 2-weeks out. SEA being one of my main ports of call on the west coast, I can almost always make a swing through work even if my main business is elsewhere on the coast.

Since then, the deterioration of the partnership, especially earnings on lower fare-class DL flights, has pushed me to 80% or more AS/AA metal... this is a bigger deal than it may sound as someone based in ATL. So far I've only had 4 DL legs this year, 3 short hops right at/under the 500 mile min and one TCON that I booked well before the earnings cut.

If the partnership dissolved 100% tomorrow, I think I could still make it with AS/AA and only fly the occasional DL leg, letting it credit back to my SkyMiles account instead where I still earn miles from my SunTrust Debit Card (which is getting its own earnings cut later this year too).

Buster CT1K

I'd like a more robust alliance between DL and AS. Full access to comfort+ and exit row seating. SkyPriority, boarding priority, free checked bags.