Could Delta Capitalize On Their Better Transfer Cities?
#46
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
Posts: 9,957
For the record, the only DL hub I hate connecting through is SLC. I've never had a major issue with any of the others.
I can connect through ATL without thinking at this point, and the only bad experiences I've had have been ExpressJet-related. The other hub I use most is MSP, and while I don't like the SkyClub situation, the rest of the airport is fine.
I definitely want to try an RDU connection soon, and if CVG-MSY comes back, I will almost certainly connect there when flying DCA-Louisiana.
I can connect through ATL without thinking at this point, and the only bad experiences I've had have been ExpressJet-related. The other hub I use most is MSP, and while I don't like the SkyClub situation, the rest of the airport is fine.
I definitely want to try an RDU connection soon, and if CVG-MSY comes back, I will almost certainly connect there when flying DCA-Louisiana.
I guess one advantage of connecting at a non-hub airport is that there will be just a few gates, all in the same concourse. Thus tighter connections might be less risky. (Although as others have pointed out, if you do misconnect, recovery options are sure to be more limited.)
I flew from ATL to SLC once via Austin. It gave me a chance to see an airport I had never been to before. It was supposed to have a fantastic Texas barbeque place. Maybe I caught them on a bad day because I did not find it to be anything special.
#47
Join Date: May 2015
Location: DCA
Programs: AA EXP, DL FO, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 6,709
Since I live in SLC, I have never yet had the need to connect through it. What don't you like about it?
I guess one advantage of connecting at a non-hub airport is that there will be just a few gates, all in the same concourse. Thus tighter connections might be less risky. (Although as others have pointed out, if you do misconnect, recovery options are sure to be more limited.)
I flew from ATL to SLC once via Austin. It gave me a chance to see an airport I had never been to before. It was supposed to have a fantastic Texas barbeque place. Maybe I caught them on a bad day because I did not find it to be anything special.
I guess one advantage of connecting at a non-hub airport is that there will be just a few gates, all in the same concourse. Thus tighter connections might be less risky. (Although as others have pointed out, if you do misconnect, recovery options are sure to be more limited.)
I flew from ATL to SLC once via Austin. It gave me a chance to see an airport I had never been to before. It was supposed to have a fantastic Texas barbeque place. Maybe I caught them on a bad day because I did not find it to be anything special.
#48
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
Posts: 9,957
The airport IS cramped, 'tis true. Hopefully the new terminal and concourses now being built will solve those problems.
#49
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Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Minneapolis: DL DM charter 2.3MM
Programs: A3*Gold, SPG Plat, HyattDiamond, MarriottPP, LHW exAccess, ICI, Raffles Amb, NW PE MM, TWA Gold MM
Posts: 100,334
IMO/IME the PMNW airport staff at DTW lost their surliness when the new terminal was opened.
I don't know whether DL serves Surly beer on the MSP flights or at the MSP SCs.
I don't know whether DL serves Surly beer on the MSP flights or at the MSP SCs.
#50
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: Kansas City
Posts: 129
These airports with only a few connecting options are great because there aren't a lot of flights ... so they should add more flights to these airports ... then they won't be great as they get bigger ...
I avoid CVG because most flights from my home airport are on 50 seat CRJ's. (I was about to say all, but I checked and they have some scheduled CRJ-900's, one a week tops, and it's not consistent even at that). We don't even have consistent 7 day a week service here (some weekends don't have a Saturday or Sunday or both days flights, again, it's not consistent either).
I avoid CVG because most flights from my home airport are on 50 seat CRJ's. (I was about to say all, but I checked and they have some scheduled CRJ-900's, one a week tops, and it's not consistent even at that). We don't even have consistent 7 day a week service here (some weekends don't have a Saturday or Sunday or both days flights, again, it's not consistent either).
Speaking of KCI, a new airport would lend itself to a focus city for Delta. Lower cost, few delays and middle of the map.
#51
Join Date: May 2014
Location: DMV
Posts: 2,092
I find DTW and MSP to be pretty pleasant transfer airports. I know there are some bitter folks in CVG who can't handle the fact their airport drew the short end of the stick in the airline consolidation game, but I see little evidence that CVG would be better suited than either of the above cities as a primary hub for DL.
#52
Join Date: May 2015
Location: DCA
Programs: AA EXP, DL FO, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 6,709
I find DTW and MSP to be pretty pleasant transfer airports. I know there are some bitter folks in CVG who can't handle the fact their airport drew the short end of the stick in the airline consolidation game, but I see little evidence that CVG would be better suited than either of the above cities as a primary hub for DL.
No one is suggesting that CVG should still be a primary hub. It lost out for several good reasons. That being said, it still serves as a valuable secondary hub with a lot of high-dollar O/D traffic, and easy connections for those headed to/from the midwest.
#53
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Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Orlando, FL Area
Programs: Delta SkySponge ExtraAbsorbent, SPG Gold
Posts: 29,988
I find DTW and MSP to be pretty pleasant transfer airports. I know there are some bitter folks in CVG who can't handle the fact their airport drew the short end of the stick in the airline consolidation game, but I see little evidence that CVG would be better suited than either of the above cities as a primary hub for DL.
And while MSP is a nice airport it is by no means built for a quick connection. I'd be very worried with less than an hour.
#54
Join Date: Apr 2016
Posts: 1,867
The big downside of SLC is the airport is cramped. The last time I flew through there the gate we were at was not large enough to accommodate the crowd for an E175, but people are so nice and helpful, and if you are not at peak time, it is a nice airport, so I actually do try for SLC connections when possible.
#55
Join Date: Apr 2011
Posts: 3,394
It makes a lot of sense for some people. That's why DL still offers connections there. When I search for a flight from MCO-MEM I get two options, ATL and CVG. ATL of course has more options but I don't even get offered DTW or MSP as it would make no sense to fly that far out of the way. Not everyone lives in NYC, LA, or Chicago
And while MSP is a nice airport it is by no means built for a quick connection. I'd be very worried with less than an hour.
And while MSP is a nice airport it is by no means built for a quick connection. I'd be very worried with less than an hour.
I don't find MSP that bad for connections with the tram and the moving walkways for most of the airport.
Now I just wish they'd add one more SkyClub either in near the A/B gates or at the high G gates.
#56
Join Date: Feb 2013
Programs: Hilton Diamond
Posts: 4,195
I have to say I have been pleasantly surprised with DTW having only relatively recently connected there, much nicer and spacious experience compared to ATL. MSP I have only done twice also better than ATL. ATL is hard to avoid flying out of RIC, because I think there are only 2 MSP & DTWs per day and they don't tend to be the times of day I am heading out (especially MSP).
#57
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: MEM
Programs: DL DM, Hilton Gold, Marriott/SPG Gold, Hertz PC
Posts: 424
Changing to a CRJ900 will make me actually consider utilizing CVG. (Although it's still tough to argue against just going to ATL and then pretty much anywhere, when MEM-ATL runs 10-11 times per day.)