Pity. But, for what it's worth, looking at how the Trans-SoPac route has ballooned in the past weeks/coming months, let me make the following predictions:

1) Within 12-18 months of DL starting : either of DL or VA (going by past performance of US airlines other than PA/UA, my money is on DL walking) will exit the route, and codeshare 100% with the survivor. UA - assuming they survive the recession as such - will hang on to US/Aust. by their fingernails rather than exit.

2) Within 12-36 months, as VA grows into Asia as well, they join SkyTeam.

Maybe, maybe not. Let's see.