Originally Posted by
jdrtravel
I don't discount them for their product, as I mentioned. But for folks who care about elite status in programs with access to a real global network, this does not cut it. And white I don't know the numbers, it does seem like this is a very significant percentage of business travelers. I think that lots of people choose to take D1 on a 767 to earn the MQM's over the private suite on B6. So much so that DL does not have to throw suites on this route right away (though they may eventually).
We'll have to agree to disagree. I agree that loyalty programs and network makes a difference. But it is on the fringes. Based on pricing, B6 is clearly competitive with American. And I say competitive with American because Delta's fares are below both American and B6 on this route (which makes sense given that DL has the worst product - either the garbage 767 or the tired and tighter than A321 B757).
Admittedly B6 doesn't fly the same frequency as AA/DL on this route, but if B6 was having issues filling their planes, their fares would be lower. That slot falls to Delta. I am sure that if B6 increased frequency, they would run more into the "AA loyalist" or "DL loyalist" wall, but at least for now, there are enough free agents that it doesn't seem to matter.