Originally Posted by NYBanker

Emirates is subsidized by a family controlled government of a resource rich land (UAE, not just Dubai). (NB: There are essentially no income taxes in the UAE. Americans: Imagine that!)

Delta, like all US carriers, is forced to compete and does not benefit from much government largesse.

Unfortunately, DL's situation (and all US carriers) is this: Nearly all US pax base their carrier selection primarily in price. If Emirates is $1,500 and Delta is $1,200 for the same route (example: JFK-DXB), most US customers will select Delta.

Until US customers are willing to pay up for service (30+ years of post-deregulation data shows otherwise), it will be a further race to the bottom in terms of service on US carriers.

Funny how that works...everyone wants a cheap seat at time of booking...but then complains enroute about the experience.