While unfortunate, not surprising. The regulators and various other parts of the government are under the influence of the industry's big whigs to such extent that the result is not a surprise even as it does nothing to foster competition and rather undermines competition in the marketplace.
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Like TSA, DL SkyMiles management treats airline customers as if they are the enemy or sheep to be fleeced and it shows.
What, exactly, is the unfortune? Admittedly, I don't know much about the nuts and bolts of the offer, but as a frequent NYC flyer who prefers LGA, I see more as better here.
Here is the nuts and bolts from the Delta press release in May. It is not unfortunate that LGA will now bring in estimated 4 million more passengers to NYC which means more jobs and dollars for NYC. Also new destinations for LGA and a better terminal experience for delta FF's.
From Delta:
Delta's expanded operation at LaGuardia will allow more and improved connecting service in New York, and ensure economically viable service to small communities, while creating an expanded network that will be particularly valuable for New York business customers. The airline will approximately double the number of nonstop destinations it serves from LaGuardia, including top business destinations and many cities not currently served nonstop by Delta or US Airways.
Delta will replace turboprop aircraft currently operated by US Airways with larger jets, adding as many as 4 million additional roundtrip seats available at LaGuardia without increasing congestion.
As part of the agreement, Delta will take control of US Airways' Terminal C to create an expanded main terminal for customers. Delta will operate a total of 18 gates in Terminal C, and add one additional gate at Delta's Terminal D, for a total of 29 gates in the two terminals. A 600-foot connector will be built to connect the two terminals. Delta also will convert the existing US Airways lounge in Terminal C to a Sky Club, while continuing to operate its current Sky Club in Terminal D.
Delta will continue to operate its popular hourly Delta Shuttle from its six gates at the Marine Air Terminal. In addition, Delta will spend up to $117 million to expand, renovate and consolidate terminals C and D over the next two years. Overall, the transaction will directly and indirectly generate an estimated 6,000 new jobs in New York.
Since making a strategic decision to build New York into a hub earlier this decade, Delta has made major investments across the region, boosting its economic impact to more than $13 billion annually. The airline is currently constructing a $1.2 billion project that will enhance and expand Terminal 4 at John F. Kennedy International Airport, creating a state-of-the-art facility for New York's fastest growing global airline.
US Airways' popular hourly Shuttle service between LaGuardia, Reagan National and Boston that is operated on dual-class mainline jets will remain unchanged as a result of the transaction. Also, US Airways will continue to offer its customers high-frequency schedules from LaGuardia to its Charlotte, N.C. and Philadelphia hubs and Pittsburgh with more than 60 daily weekday flights. All US Airways flights from LaGuardia will continue to arrive and depart from nine gates and parking positions in Terminal C and US Airways will build a new, state-of-the-art 5,000-square foot US Airways Club.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by GUWonder
While unfortunate, not surprising. The regulators and various other parts of the government are under the influence of the industry's big whigs to such extent that the result is not a surprise even as it does nothing to foster competition and rather undermines competition in the marketplace.
While I don't necessarily disagree with your general sentiment, US on Monday will run 16 flights LGA-PHL, mostly on DH8s and some on CRJ/ERJs. That's a waste of slots and doesn't represent any meaningful competition.
DL isn't starved for competition at NYC... we've got COUA with the EWR hub, various carriers such as AA, B6, and WN, and almost every international carrier. US is a non-player.
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I was wondering if anyone knew whether:
- The slots being sold must go to any particular airline or type of airline
- US/DL pilot or other unions need to approve it and if so, whether they have
I was wondering if anyone knew whether:
- The slots being sold must go to any particular airline or type of airline
- US/DL pilot or other unions need to approve it and if so, whether they have
The slots must go to an airline that holds less than 5% of current slots and does not code share with, or operate on behalf of, an airline that has more than 5% of current slots. This includes Frontier, Jetblue, Spirit and Southwest/AirTran at both airports, plus Sun Country at DCA. Of course, slots could also go to a carrier that doesn't serve the airport.
Union approval isn't required, but DOJ approval is. No word if/when that will come.
What, exactly, is the unfortune? Admittedly, I don't know much about the nuts and bolts of the offer, but as a frequent NYC flyer who prefers LGA, I see more as better here.
Those of us in the DCA/IAD/BWI triangle who are DL flyers may disagree.
This is actually a win for most DL flyers (with the possible exception of DC based ones). May the speculation start on what routes they will add and if they (as I hope) add mainline to some routes (e.g. LGA-RDU).
I've been told that CO and US do well on their ITH to NYC flights so I'm hoping (but not holding my breath) for ITH-NYC (either JFK or LGA) service by DL. Right now Delta flies ITH to DTW only...
As a DCA-based DL flyer, I'm also really interested in seeing what flights will be retained and what flights will drop from the schedule.
I'm guessing most flights to hubs will be kept, but certain other non-hub flights have come in really handy for me. I'm guessing CRJ200 flights would be the first to go.
The positives will probably be a less crowded DCA Terminal B and fewer of the problems described in threads like DCA Terminal B - Chaos, so it could end up being a net positive for the DL experience at DCA. We'll just have to see what they end up doing.
I frequented the US MDT-LGA flight, and at times, aside from FA's in transit, was the only passenger on the plane. It's dead.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Burj
I've been told that CO and US do well on their ITH to NYC flights so I'm hoping (but not holding my breath) for ITH-NYC (either JFK or LGA) service by DL. Right now Delta flies ITH to DTW only...
