Though I dont know all the logistics; it appears that it may be easier for NW to "just" offer its own 744 metal from the USA to Australia, in hopes that the feed boost from both DL and CO should be sufficient to suppliment its own O&D and pax.

At least this way, such an operation could [theoretically] be done nonstop and therefor avoid Japanese politics. Also, it would be yet another strike to the already weakened UA.

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Faire du ciel le plus bel endroit de la terre c'est impossible sans Concorde!
~ConcordeBoy

Try the Unofficial Continental Airlines Dictionary