<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by ToddETurner:
CSR was talking about Delta reducing flights to Tokyo. In fact, he mentioned that 'Only the Airlines flying 747's can make money on that route'. Said that the real money maker was the cargo, which the 747 can handle much better than the 777.
Found it interesting to have a Delta rep be so frank out things..</font>
Although your Delta rep was "frank" about things, he was also sadly misinformed.
Delta operated the MD-11 on their NRT routes, which has a lower deck cargo hold capacity of 6850 cubic feet, as opposed the 747-400 which has lower deck cargo hold capacity of only 6025 cubic feet.
Contrary to popular perception, the 747 does NOT have the largest cargo capacity in its class. That honor rests with the 777-300 which has lower deck capacity of a whopping 7552 cubic feet.
Delta's 777 cannot operate Pacific routes for a number of reasons, not least of which are ETOPS and insurance. For the record, the 777-200ER in Delta configuration has 5656 cubic feet underfloor cargo capacity.