D1 Suites Surcharge
Aug 15, 2017, 9:52 am
#31
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
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: 100,399
I agree with others this seems like an arrogant move from DL. That being said I trust the market to bring these prices back down or else DL will be ceding traffic on some of these routes to competitors that have bigger J cabins they need to fill.
Remember these A350s also have fewer J seats vs. the planes that used to fly these routes so perhaps they think they can get away with sticking this surcharge in while relying primarily on those traveling on OPM to fill the cabin (who therefore could care less about the extra charge).
Remember these A350s also have fewer J seats vs. the planes that used to fly these routes so perhaps they think they can get away with sticking this surcharge in while relying primarily on those traveling on OPM to fill the cabin (who therefore could care less about the extra charge).
Even people subject to the FlyAmerica act are allowed to use foreign carriers as USA legacy codeshares.
Aug 15, 2017, 10:00 am
#32
Join Date: May 2001
Location: YVR
Posts: 3,918
Fresh off the press (loving that AusBT got the scoop first), seems that DL is adding a surcharge to A350 D1 bookings in business. God help us all if this is added to SM awards, too.
https://www.ausbt.com.au/delta-s-us-...business-class
From the article,
"Agents have been advised that when they "book the A350-900 with 'Delta One Suite', you will be charged a surcharge" above the ticket's base rate.
Delta One passengers booked under discounted I-class and Z-class fares will be charged US$500 "per direction", with a US$250 tariff on C, D and J ticket codes."
https://www.ausbt.com.au/delta-s-us-...business-class
From the article,
"Agents have been advised that when they "book the A350-900 with 'Delta One Suite', you will be charged a surcharge" above the ticket's base rate.
Delta One passengers booked under discounted I-class and Z-class fares will be charged US$500 "per direction", with a US$250 tariff on C, D and J ticket codes."
The surcharge also applies on Tokyo and Beijing flights operated by A350.
Last edited by jimyvr; Aug 15, 2017 at 10:33 am
Aug 15, 2017, 10:21 am
#33
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: BOS
Programs: DL DM 2MM, Marriott LT Titanium, Hertz PC, Avis PC
Posts: 15,186
Also of minor interest is the 75k mile cap on the tickets... with these prices and surcharges, pax are getting shortchanged out of a significant portion of their RDMs.
Aug 15, 2017, 10:45 am
#35
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2008
Programs: Formaldehyde Medallion DL DieMiles
Posts: 12,646
$500 each way for a thin, low door on a slightly wider 767 seat LMFAO, granted I haven't tried it yet, but its not even their best seat IMO...Don't understand all the hype about Delta's A350's with their cramped Delta One suites, to be honest they are on my 'avoid flying' list. Space wise it's a downgrade from their 767's.
Look at this photo:
Marketing took a short & slim asian model for a reason but still....the seat width may be fine, however, look at his shoulder/left arm. Even with the suite opened that shell is making the trip miserable/very uncomfortable, especially when having dinner or writing/working (I'm left handed).
Now replace the slim and short asian guy with a tall EU guy that plays rugby. Ooh the joys....
A330's ftw
Look at this photo:
Marketing took a short & slim asian model for a reason but still....the seat width may be fine, however, look at his shoulder/left arm. Even with the suite opened that shell is making the trip miserable/very uncomfortable, especially when having dinner or writing/working (I'm left handed).
Now replace the slim and short asian guy with a tall EU guy that plays rugby. Ooh the joys....
A330's ftw
My shoulders are broad enough that I would not be able to sit upright and vertical in that seat. I'd be leaning to the right or twisting my torso for the entire flight.
Just another example that perpetuates the impression that airlines, aircraft manufacturers, and seat manufacturers all share a single, tattered copy of an architectural standards book, printed in 1950, showing body proportions that were typical before vitamins became commercially widespread.
Probably designed by someone working in a Dilbertian cloth-walled cubicle who feels that everyone should experience the misery that he suffers every day.
It is more hubris than arrogance.
I think the point is the seats offset towards the window probably don't have the same arm space issue. They don't put a door over the window right? But I agree, it appears to be very poor ergonomics for at least half the seats, and possible my (not sure how the middle seats are packaged).
Watch for increased advertising by chiropractors in Sky Magazine.
Last edited by Canarsie; Aug 17, 2017 at 10:08 am Reason: Consolidation.
Aug 15, 2017, 10:48 am
#36
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: PHX, SEA
Programs: Avis President's Club, Global Entry, Hilton/Marriott Gold. No more DL/AA status.
Posts: 4,422
I don't care if they want to charge more for their A350s. That's a business decision. But for it to be a "Surcharge" is baloney. Delta wants their prices to look competitive when it won't be at checkout. I hope the US government gets involved and makes them stop that and advertise the rate with the $500 included, because this isn't a case of 'unbundling'. Plus, will the $500 even count towards Skymiles if it's part of "taxes and fees"? And what happens if there's an equipment swap?
Aug 15, 2017, 10:50 am
#37
Suspended
Join Date: Jun 2005
Programs: Delta Diamond, Marriott Ambassador & Lifetime Titanium, Hertz President's Circle, United Silver
Posts: 6,334
The worst part about this is that many customers are actually penalized for buying the super-expensive Delta business-class airfares, as Delta limits mileage earning to 75,000 per ticket.
Aug 15, 2017, 10:51 am
#38
Join Date: Mar 2010
Programs: DL PM, Bonvoy Gold
Posts: 8,414
I don't care if they want to charge more for their A350s. That's a business decision. But for it to be a "Surcharge" is baloney. Delta wants their prices to look competitive when it won't be at checkout. I hope the US government gets involved and makes them stop that and advertise the rate with the $500 included, because this isn't a case of 'unbundling'.
Good question.
Aug 15, 2017, 10:52 am
#40
Suspended
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: SEA
Programs: UA Silver, BA Gold, DL Gold
Posts: 9,779
There seems to be a wholesale misunderstanding on FT about the financial performance of the Asian carriers.
Aug 15, 2017, 10:54 am
#42
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2008
Programs: Formaldehyde Medallion DL DieMiles
Posts: 12,646
Aug 15, 2017, 11:02 am
#43
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 8,762
I don't care if they want to charge more for their A350s. That's a business decision. But for it to be a "Surcharge" is baloney. Delta wants their prices to look competitive when it won't be at checkout. I hope the US government gets involved and makes them stop that and advertise the rate with the $500 included, because this isn't a case of 'unbundling'. Plus, will the $500 even count towards Skymiles if it's part of "taxes and fees"? And what happens if there's an equipment swap?
It just means that DL doesn't have to file a whole separate range of fare codes for A350 flights, rather they can use the same fare codes across the board and the price just gets automatically adjusted for A350 flights within that.
Here's an example of how it works in practice, with the $500 extra built into the base fare:
Last edited by Ldnn1; Aug 15, 2017 at 11:14 am
Aug 15, 2017, 11:04 am
#44
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Back in Reds Country (DAY/CVG). Previously: SEA & SAT.
Programs: DL PM 1MM, AA PLAT, UA Silver, Marriott Bonvoy Titanium
Posts: 10,345
Aug 15, 2017, 11:08 am
#45
Join Date: Oct 2012
Programs: Previously top-tier everything, now a happy free agent
Posts: 1,003