Originally Posted by
pbarnette
Hard to say. They are, in some ways, the "logical" choice, but I'm not sure how valuable the market is.
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.
As I read the ruling, they would have to use the slots for PHL, at least in the near-term.
I think the PHL-CDG flight is operated for Air France as they weren't filling their A330. Rather than leave the market, Delta does the flight with a smaller aircraft. Since Delta's Alliance JV with AF-KL is separate from their JV with VS, I'm not sure it's a case of one or the other. It helps operationally that DL is already set up for international flights there with station personnel and crews. Delta is the third largest carrier at PHL with 6.22% share after Southwest's 7.85%.
The 767 with the smaller J cabin would make sense. Lower capacity but still maintains the policy of "all aisle-access."