Originally Posted by
GYEWorldTraveler
I'd venture to guess that unless DL needed a ton of cargo to be carried from ATL-LAX that a 777 on the route is a cost nightmare. The cost has to be far higher than operating a domestic 757/767 when you figure the pilot and crew requirements, the number of premium seats (most going to UGs), weight of the plane, cost allocated to the flight, etc. This flight is pretty much just being operated as a ferry flight but in revenue service.
Yep, it's a ferry flight, but one sees lots of paid FC, although probably a lot of this is just cannibalized from other flights on the same route. If you pay a fare that guarantees a FC seat, which aircraft would you pick? Even in coach, people like the seating configuration (not ten across like some carriers do the 777) and AVOD as well as the new, fresh, and clean interiors. Regardless of how you assess the revenue, using the plane is probably better than having it sit on the tarmac for most of the day, waiting for its next long haul performance.