Originally Posted by
FlyingBeanCounter
The logic that a money losing customer is good is insane. If I lose money on a customer (even soft costs) I would rather cut the soft cost and manage the more profitable revenue. Unprofitable is unprofitable. Having more or less profitable customers doesn't change that calculus.
Before the HVCs can provide the profit at the margins, DL must first drive enough revenue to meet cost of operations. It doesn't matter how they do it, but every business needs this ballast of revenue before they get into the black. That's why selling a seat for anything is better than letting it go empty, since you have set fixed and variable costs for that flight.