Temporary Jealousy of Delta’s Expanding International Service
Oct 20, 2009, 8:55 pm
#16
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If I had to guess, I'd say that DL is just throwing darts and launching these routes. They're probably not taking the time to cultivate the relationships in the market to help generate traffic. Fly it and they will come? Doesn't exactly work in the airline industry.
Oct 20, 2009, 9:35 pm
#17
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It's a good strategy if you ask me. DL has been reasonably successful in Africa, likely because it's the only carrier on many of those routes. DL is adapt at thinking outside of the box, not just in Africa but in Europe and Asia as well. DL has been flying to Africa for the better part of five years now, one would think if they weren't doing well there, they wouldn't continue to expand into Africa.
Oct 20, 2009, 9:42 pm
#18
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MAH4546,
1. United confirmed today the rollout of the new Business and First flat beds will commence on the 777s from February 2010.
2. Continental's flat bed rollout will be across its entire longhaul fleet, including the 767s.
1. United confirmed today the rollout of the new Business and First flat beds will commence on the 777s from February 2010.
2. Continental's flat bed rollout will be across its entire longhaul fleet, including the 767s.
Oct 20, 2009, 9:52 pm
#19
Join Date: May 2008
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Programs: DL PM; UA 1K; AA 1MM
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One can reach most of the places noted with AA and OW just not always on AA metal, and as long as you get a code share, you get status bonus, etc. IMHO, the real benefit of flying on your own FFP's metal is to enjoy whatever major benefits that your carrier provides. For example, EPs get SWUs on AA which we can use on any published mileage earning fare. That is (one of) the major benefit to being EP and flying AA. With DL, the route structure is great, but you are paying "full fare coach" if you want to use miles or DL's version of the SWU to get into its "business elite cabin". FWIW and for me personally, if I am stuck in Y (with some exception) and not in a premium class cabin, I don't much care if its my own FFP's metal or not provided I am earning EQMs and RDMs. I grant YMMV totally on this one.
Safe Travels
Safe Travels
I live in a Chicago, so I can get just about anywhere on AA/OW nonstop, or with one stop. This isn't true at outstations though. I lived in Austin for many years, and in order o get to many cities in Europe for work, I had to fly AUS-(DFW/ORD)-LHR-XXX, a double-stop itinerary. Or, I could have flown AUS-ATL-XXX (one stop) in numerous cases. This is a common situation for those not living in hub cities. I'm a happy AAdvantage member, so you know what choice I made. But I think I'm an exception and that most people will take the more direct itinerary (if price is similar).
My point being that we can get just about anywhere with codeshares, but it could involve multiple stops. Is that competitive enough?
Oct 20, 2009, 9:52 pm
#20
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: los angeles, calif.
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2. Continental's flat bed rollout will be across its entire longhaul fleet, including the 767s.
[QUOTE]
Truth is that APA will stop Dallas routes because nobody else is going to fly them. APA won't stop other routes, because then the routes will be "out sourced" to other carriers (i.e., if APA hypothetically rejects ORD-HKG, then CX will fly it), and that destroys APA's argument that AA is attempting to outsource flying through ATI.
Oct 20, 2009, 10:05 pm
#21
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Good point: AA seems to rely on its OW partners more than does DL or CO on ST carriers. However, AA has upside: the airline could expland its international footprint. AA has unrealized value.
Oct 20, 2009, 10:13 pm
#22
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It's a good strategy if you ask me. DL has been reasonably successful in Africa, likely because it's the only carrier on many of those routes. DL is adapt at thinking outside of the box, not just in Africa but in Europe and Asia as well. DL has been flying to Africa for the better part of five years now, one would think if they weren't doing well there, they wouldn't continue to expand into Africa.
Oct 20, 2009, 10:15 pm
#23
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We'll also get an update in a few weeks about the DL expansion of its true, lie-flat seats.
Oct 20, 2009, 10:24 pm
#24
Join Date: May 2008
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Let me add to my thoughts: It's pretty clear to me that the LCCs are stealing more and more of the domestic market share in the US from the legacy carriers. In order to stay competitive, it seems the LCCs must look abroad. AA's seeming lack of motivation to expand internationally (past a couple of routes like PEK) is deeply troubling to me for the airline's well-being. Especially when the competition is expanding its international service. AA seems to just be stagnating.
I can only hope that they have grand plans hidden behind the curtains for post-ATI (assuming ATI approval happens)
I can only hope that they have grand plans hidden behind the curtains for post-ATI (assuming ATI approval happens)
Oct 21, 2009, 2:01 am
#25
Join Date: Mar 2008
Posts: 468
and Africa is developing - it essentially only has one way to go: UP. If AA was smart, they would have started these routes themselves to entrench themselves as the key player to Africa like they do to Latin America via MIA.
Oct 21, 2009, 2:10 am
#26
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with all due respect, I think both you and MAH4546 seem to forget that we plunged into a worldwide, deep recession. How on earth do you expect Delta to make those routes work if business travel is down as much as it is? I think it was smart on Delta's behalf - they now have DOT approval to run those routes so when the economy picks up again they are ready to go.
and Africa is developing - it essentially only has one way to go: UP. If AA was smart, they would have started these routes themselves to entrench themselves as the key player to Africa like they do to Latin America via MIA.
and Africa is developing - it essentially only has one way to go: UP. If AA was smart, they would have started these routes themselves to entrench themselves as the key player to Africa like they do to Latin America via MIA.
Travel to Africa and Latin America are nowhere near as badly hurt in the current recession. Both remain quite robust.
Oct 21, 2009, 4:52 am
#27
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I enjoy connecting to BA @ LHR to international destinations not flown by AA metal. I prefer BA first/business over AA. Effective 2010, my only AA international route will be to LHR. Any destinations beyond LHR will be flown on BA or EK. I also prefer JFK/DXB Dubai connections.
Oct 21, 2009, 7:35 am
#28
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With great risks, comes great reward. On the other hand, you have AA trying to play it safe.
Oct 21, 2009, 8:01 am
#29
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Oct 21, 2009, 8:08 am
#30
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