Originally Posted by
JFK-flyer
OK, I understand that DTW is the main domestic gateway for east Asia. Now, suppose DL turns some of their DTW operations to ATL, would that work out better? Correct me if I'm wrong, I think there are only ATL-NRT and ATL-PVG (2/week) at the moment?
No, DTW is actually more "along the way" for TPAC service from most East Coast cities.
Pre-merger DL didn't really have a choice but to use ATL as their primary TPAC East Coast gateway; their other hubs simply did not fit the bill in terms of O&D and connecting traffic for Asia. I frankly don't think you would find more nonstop ATL-Asia service in the future (long trip, high fuel costs, etc.). ATL-PVG was only recently restarted most probably because the China authority they obtained for ATL-PVG was only for ATL-PVG, and could not be transferred to another US gateway; they didn't want to lose it, so restarted it, obviously rather gingerly, with only 2x weekly service. Such long flights are expensive to operate in today's fuel environment....