Originally Posted by
ethernal
Delta was #1 in Cirium's 2018 report. And against airlines that fly similar route networks, US airlines fare perfectly well.
You can continue to handicap airlines based on some arbitrary qualification of operating similar route networks, but that isn't really a relevant metric. Also I'm not really sure what defines a "mega airline", not familiar with that terminology.
Originally Posted by
ethernal
I think you just don't fly international airlines enough to know that the grass isn't greener on the other side.
In a normal year it's about a 50/50 split, but I tend to stick with US airlines only for domestic services. Of course, this past year has been a bit different for obvious reasons. The grass most certainly is greener however.
Originally Posted by
ethernal
Cut frequency but somehow add capacity? Sounds like a brilliant idea! Places that support larger planes are already served by A321/739s. Widebody economics don't work on short haul - even Japan is backing away from the "load a 747 for a 1.5 hour flight" model. Doubly so at airports mostly served by narrowbodies because it increases spacing requirements. Depending on the exact aircraft and mix at an airport, adding capacity with a bigger plane may actually reduce aggregate airport capacity because of spacing requirements.
Japan is a completely different market which has arguable one of the best alternatives to air transportation in the world on short haul routes. The reality is reducing the number of flights and the number of regional and smaller single aisle aircraft used will reduce congestion, especially in the aforementioned delay hotspots.
Originally Posted by
ethernal
Delta makes it very easy to rebook your flight if it is delayed. If the flight is delayed and you can find a better way home, then take it! You clearly don't understand that - unless you are at a hub, and even then things can go sideways during IRROPS (and at best you will probably have to make a double jump) - there is not magical capacity to redirect a cancelled flight to - especially during peak travel times. Absorbing 190 passengers onto alternative flights when load factors are at 90%+ doesn't just happen without many people losing the game. There is *zero* instance where anyone is made worse off by delaying the flight. If there are better options available, BOOK THEM! Delta makes it easy. If there are not better options? Then at least you have a guaranteed flight home. Rolling delays are annoying, but typically flights delayed 12-16+ hours are called early (they are usually crew timeout issues at outstations) - maybe a couple of hours of rolling delays and then it gets punted to the next day. Again, if you find a better flight, book it. No one is made worse off by the delay.
You're forgetting that then the flight is just delayed rather than being canceled, Delta is no longer on the hook to provide accommodation. That's the big difference. I'd rather get cancelled, put in a hotel, and figure out how I'm getting back later as opposed to being on the hook for a hotel of my own.
Originally Posted by
ethernal
Anyways, getting off topic here. Point is, Delta used to be pretty good at operational reliability - whether you look globally or domestically only. They are still doing well on BTS reports as of late but they are not as good as they used to be. Time will tell whether they recover or if was a permanent loss of skill and will.
The first sentence I agree with, and I don't think anyone is disagreeing with. The second, I don't agree with, more like marginal at best. I don't consider any airline with four major operational meltdowns in a year to be doing 'well' by any stretch of the meaning of that word.