Originally Posted by
bocastephen
Business travelers will always work the system to make sure their preferences and benefits are maintained - anyone who doesn't understand this happens every day is very naive.
Delta E fares are only on certain routes where they compete with LCCs - not every route, not every flight.
My emphasis. The idea that DL E fares are found only where DL faces ULCC competition is a bit of a fiction. E fares can be found on routes where DL faces no such competiton; indeed, to/from airports that have no ULCC carriers! (Check ATL-GNV, for example.)
Delta has expanded the city pairs with E fares very significantly. IMHO they're looking a big fraction of people to show they're willing to pay for a seat assignment in advance, and for elites to show they'll pay for upgrade eligibility.