Well, for me it is not obvious that the FC upgrade is for everyone the only reason to choose NW, it will be interesting to continue to hear more people chime in.

I agree, the days of having a WBC recliner seat and a three course meal with wine & cognac on a 45 min AMS-LHR flight are behind us. On the other hand, there are a lot of announcements and new products of first and business class being introduced, particularly by the Asian carriers. As income inequality continues to grow there may be sufficient demand on the one hand for a small but real First Class that is paid for and on the other hand tons of tight, skinny seats for everyone else.

Europe hasn't had a decent business class product on AF and especially on KL for years now. However, they do make (very) good money by coupling "any flexibility whatsoever" = "higher fare" = "up front" rather than just giving it away to their elites. I am sure that this is one of the areas that the management of Delta would be looking at.

I know that for me the only reason I fly NW in the US for destinations where I have a choice and where it is offered is because of the FC upgrades that I get as a European elite member of Worldperks (sublet by NW to Flying Blue). On Delta there are essentially no upgrades for us. If that is also the future situation on the new Delta then there is going to be little to no reason for FB elites flying from Europe to the States to choose Delta...unless they come up with something else that is interesting...or they are still the best alternative out there after the dust settles.