FlyerTalk Forums - View Single Post - PHL-LHR: Delta or Virgin Atlantic?
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Old Nov 12, 2013 | 8:18 pm
  #3  
pbarnette
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Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: SEA
Programs: UA Silver, BA Gold, DL Gold
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Originally Posted by dmorbust
What are the chances DL or VS jumps on these slots to operate the route?
Hard to say. They are, in some ways, the "logical" choice, but I'm not sure how valuable the market is.

Originally Posted by kop84
I wonder if there is enough O/D feed for that from DL/VS.
From the same ruling:

Furthermore, the parties, supported by their joint venture partners of the Transatlantic Joint Business, committed to entering into special feed traffic agreements with the likely entrant airline.
Not sure exactly how extensive those need to be, or even if DL/VS are interested in effectively sharing the pie with AA/BA to get that feed, but there seems to be some opportunity there.

Even without relying on that feed, you could see DL trading the CDG flight for one-stop service via LHR. They would also have one-stop service to AMS, LIN, and FCO. Plus the African, ME, and Indian destinations served by VS. If DL can find the right aircraft without diluting the brand (maybe one of the low-J 767s?), they could maybe make a go of it.

Originally Posted by kop84
I would sooner expect if DL is able to get more slots in LHR they would add SLC.
As I read the ruling, they would have to use the slots for PHL, at least in the near-term.
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