Originally Posted by
FreequentFlier
DL has always had a love/hate relationship with LAX. As much as it thinks it has a hub at LAX, it is really a 4th bit player there (with UA, AA and WN all having a larger presence). DL is a pretend player at LAX, and probably always will be.
I think you are looking at DL's role at LAX in the wrong way. On it's own, strictly looking at DL metal; it falls short. But considering they have quite a bit of strong partnerships with multiple airlines at LAX that UA, AA, and WN dont have...they are far stronger than you think. Keep in mind, that with their JV - essentially the KL/AF/Alitalia flights are their own, along with the multiple Virgin Australia flights, and all the code-shared Alaska flights. You add those up, and they have quite a presence at LAX.
AA, other than its JV with BA, doesnt have that kind of strength, neither does UA (albeit, their combination with CO makes them a larger domestic player), and WN falls behind there as well.