DL who tried ERJ before and they didn't workout too well. And now, DL will resume LAX-SEA nonstop. CR9 isn't horrible at all. It's very comfortable to flying.
Excellent news. SEA-LAX-KOA/OGG is way better than SEA-SLC-LAX-KOA/OGG for those who prefer DL metal/SWU use. It will be really nice to be able to connect easily to DL 16/17 and also to other carriers, A380s, etc @ LAX.
Doubtful that DL would "retaliate" against a strategic partner. More likely they this is intended to feed that TPAC flights and supplement AS service on the route. My guess is that DL and AS are in agreement and AS can then reposition an aircraft on another route if they cut a flight or two on the route.
Doubtful that DL would "retaliate" against a strategic partner. More likely they this is intended to feed that TPAC flights and supplement AS service on the route. My guess is that DL and AS are in agreement and AS can then reposition an aircraft on another route if they cut a flight or two on the route.
Except that your guess would mean that Delta and Alaska are engaged in market allocation and without antitrust immunity, such conduct would violate Sec 1 of the Sherman Act. So I'm positive (err, make that "fairly certain") that DL and AS have no such agreements.
DL and AS codeshare on each others' flights and have some reciprocal frequent flyer arrangements. In all other respects, they still compete on price, frequency and schedule. ATI would be required to excuse them from the requirement to compete.
It's not loaded yet, not to dl.dumb nor to other bookable sites.
Personally, I don't like the news at all. AS has plenty of flights b/w SEA and LAX and flies bigger planes (737s). There is a descent award availability to connect to LAX (for AZ, AF, KL, and SU flights to Europe and CZ and MH flights to Asia). Add DL to the mix and low-level award space on this route will decrease as AS will likely decrease the capacity. But hey we will be paying double or triple miles to get to the partners now because of the DL's short CR9 ride.
Upgrades for DL customers are a crapshoot on AS for DL metal improves the upgrade chances.
I'd say AS and DL are equal in terms of inflight service as DL does pre-flight drinks AS does not, but AS typically has some sort of fresh/healthy snack in F vs the DL sodium/carb/sugar basket, both have gogo, DL has wine from Y in F and AS typically has great Pacific Northwest beers and wines.
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Upgrades for DL customers are a crapshoot on AS for DL metal improves the upgrade chances.
You are right, but it's a short flight, so I am not really considering this to be of significant value over the very likely loss of low award space on this route.
Upgrades for DL customers are a crapshoot on AS for DL metal improves the upgrade chances.
I'd say AS and DL are equal in terms of inflight service as DL does pre-flight drinks AS does not, but AS typically has some sort of fresh/healthy snack in F vs the DL sodium/carb/sugar basket, both have gogo, DL has wine from Y in F and AS typically has great Pacific Northwest beers and wines.
So I'm no Delta apologist... but as a reluctant regular on AS's SEA-LAX flights, please don't make me break out my collection of hideously terrible AS catering photos. Because I will do it and turn everyone's stomach. Occasionally their food is actually good (cheese plate, once) - but much more frequently, especially ex-LAX, Alaska's food in F is absolutely inedible. The worst I ever got was a chicken skewer that was so rubbery I expected to find a pulley in the middle. For a while, they were serving potstickers so bad that my fellow SEA-based friends and I call Alaska F "potsticker class" in their honor.
If Alaska ever does another PR event with "Chef Cliff", let me know so I can go give him a piece of my mind
I could also rant about the lack of predeparture beverages... but catering aside, the real reason this change is awesome is Alaska's completely unfair upgrade system - while it skews in our favor as Delta elites, there are multiple ways I could easily end up with an upgrade as a partner elite while my AS MVP Gold girlfriend would be flying in coach. And I've lost out on upgrades on AS to lower-level DL elites before, too. In my eye, the consistency of Delta's fair and predictable system is far preferable.
Finally, while AS's 737-800s and 900s are really nice inside, the 400s are getting pretty tired...
I keep hoping DL will buy AS and raise them to Delta's service standards. Until that happens, Delta picking up this route gives me one more way to avoid a double-hop through SLC. Huge thumbs up in my book!
(In AS's defense, Horizon is the best regional carrier I've ever flown - free northwest microbrews and efficient ops. And their board rooms have pancake machines. Aww yeah!)
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Quote:
Originally Posted by itsaboutthejourney
Upgrades for DL customers are a crapshoot on AS for DL metal improves the upgrade chances.
I'd say AS and DL are equal in terms of inflight service as DL does pre-flight drinks AS does not, but AS typically has some sort of fresh/healthy snack in F vs the DL sodium/carb/sugar basket, both have gogo, DL has wine from Y in F and AS typically has great Pacific Northwest beers and wines.
+1 Y on AS as a DL medallion usually means sitting in Y
So I'm no Delta apologist... but as a reluctant regular on AS's SEA-LAX flights, please don't make me break out my collection of hideously terrible AS catering photos. Because I will do it and turn everyone's stomach. Occasionally their food is actually good (cheese plate, once) - but much more frequently, especially ex-LAX, Alaska's food in F is absolutely inedible. The worst I ever got was a chicken skewer that was so rubbery I expected to find a pulley in the middle.
I've had some pretty disgusting stuff too, but at least it looks healthy. The salad is nice. Then there was the large muffin served on a china plate with an orange slice... that was breakfast.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Vuelos
+1 Y on AS as a DL medallion usually means sitting in Y
and there is no Economy Comfort or HOOU for the non-upgrade on AS. But the exit rows as DL Elite help a bit.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by VladQ
You are right, but it's a short flight, so I am not really considering this to be of significant value over the very likely loss of low award space on this route.
Not really sure how you are coming to that conclusion. As it stands now there will be over 225 more seats each way per day which would mean more opportunities at award travel. Nothing has been mentioned about AS cutting capacity so I'm not too sure where you are getting your information or if you are just pulling stuff out of outer space.
I think in most people's mind (and economic theory), if the supply of seats increases and demand is equal, prices come down. That means they need to fill more seats and thus low level availability will likely be more available and have 3 new flight options to choose from in addition to all the AS flights. And for upgrades this will be very welcome news to DL Medallions as it will provide 36 seats each way per day in F. I guess it just goes to show that leave it to Flyertalk to have someone try to spin new service and more capacity as bad news for the consumer....
Not welcome in my book
