I recently had to make a family related trip from JFK to India via DL/AF/KLM (for the international legs) and then Air Asia & Vistara (for the domestic legs). It made me think at least the following:

1: Delta’s only non-stop from JFK-BOM is no longer operating, and will evidently not for the foreseeable future. For Sky Team members, flying out of JFK for instance, one has to route either through Europe (LHR, CDG, AMS, FCO or SVO) or Asia (ICN or PVG). Whereas, Star Alliance, has many non-stops from both US east/west coasts flying to DEL and BOM (Air India & United). According to IATA, India is the fastest growing aviation market in the world. By not having direct flights between US-India, isn’t this a missed opportunity for Delta?

2: Delta’s code sharing partnership with Jet Airways unfortunately went bust last year. United, on the other hand, has established a code sharing agreement with Vistara Air - the newest, and perhaps most promising full-service carrier which is also a joint venture between the Tata Group & Singapore Airlines. While, in general, most Indian domestic passengers are cost conscious, there is a very large growing bunch of flyers who prefer and can afford to fly F — this is probably a reflection of why Vistara, for example, is trying to bring new products to cater this group. Delta and for that matter the Sky Team alliance, yet again, does not have any strong domestic partnership, which I believe is also a missed opportunity.

Just thought I will share my reflections with this group as a Delta loyalist