Originally Posted by
MSPeconomist
I suspect that MSP has taken an even bigger hit on FC and BE capacity. For the NRT route, 747 to 777 to A330. For many domestic routes, the A319/320s with only 12 FC as well as fewer 757s and almost no wide bodies.
Much of the A319/A320 and B757 flying has been sent to SLC, ATL, and NYC. The increase in MD-88/MD-90 flying in MSP has been dramatic, if for no other reason than the noisier operations the MDs generate vs the Airbus.
Originally Posted by
Deadtail
MSP is getting the seats it deserves. This is how airlines remain viable.
Define "deserves". We've repeatedly heard how important/profitable MSP is to the Delta network, and in contrast we've heard how even major buildups like NYC have yet to make a profit, despite the large increase in seats.
I suspect what's going on here is nothing more than an extreme squeezing of a seemingly captive market. Reduce seats and raise fares to offset losses elsewhere in the network. Though interestingly the capacity Delta has removed from MSP in the last few years has largely been taken up by a surge in flying by LCC. Delta's "fortress hub" in MSP, directly linked to its profitability, may be in jeopardy as both MSP terminals are already at capacity, and the plan is to add more gates for LCCs, not Delta.