Delta pressures on AA
Apr 23, 2008, 8:51 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Seattle, WA
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Delta pressures on AA
My partner just flew Delta for the first time yesterday and as luck would have it, he flew on a wide body SEA to Atlanta that had gourmet food choices, in seat entertainment and, to hear him tell it, every amenity ever presented to man.
Now he want's me to start flying Delta everywhere we go. Not a chance I say I'm nearly platinum this year.
Oh the pressure, oh the humanity.
Now he want's me to start flying Delta everywhere we go. Not a chance I say I'm nearly platinum this year.
Oh the pressure, oh the humanity.
Apr 23, 2008, 8:57 pm
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: NYC
Programs: AA EXP / LT PLT / 3MM, Marriott LT Gold
Posts: 35,399
This happened to me as well. I had to put my partner on a DL flight for less than $500 in F, when the corresponding AA flight was nearly $900 in Y. She's a heavy AA flyer (EXP/PLT/soon-to-be-EXP 2006-2008) but has been raving about how wonderful the in-flight service was, and suggesting that maybe we should fly more on DL. I'm trying to nip this in the bud right quick. 
And DL now actually serves snacks for purchase in F outside of traditional meal windows! Go figure.
And DL now actually serves snacks for purchase in F outside of traditional meal windows! Go figure.
Apr 23, 2008, 10:00 pm
#3
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: OKC/DFW
Programs: AA EXP/2 MM
Posts: 9,999
Obviously neither of you has a partner as well-trained* as mine.
* I can say this because mine doesn't read FT.
* I can say this because mine doesn't read FT.
Apr 23, 2008, 11:29 pm
#4
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Join Date: May 1998
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Apr 23, 2008, 11:55 pm
#5
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: ORD
Programs: AA EXP,2MM, DL Gold,Starwood PLT
Posts: 3,876
Not surprised to hear. DL now generally has a superior product in Y vs. AA. They've done some major investments in new interiors, inseat entertainment etc over the last couple of years. Their buy on board product is also miles ahead of the chips and nuts I hear they sell in the back on AA. Fortunately, I'm rarely back there so AA's Y product doesn't bother me
DL's flight crews are also generally not the drill sergeant’s we've become accustomed to on AA.
DL's flight crews are also generally not the drill sergeant’s we've become accustomed to on AA.
Apr 24, 2008, 12:12 am
#6
Join Date: Sep 2006
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Not surprised to hear. DL now generally has a superior product in Y vs. AA. They've done some major investments in new interiors, inseat entertainment etc over the last couple of years. Their buy on board product is also miles ahead of the chips and nuts I hear they sell in the back on AA. Fortunately, I'm rarely back there so AA's Y product doesn't bother me
DL's flight crews are also generally not the drill sergeant’s we've become accustomed to on AA.
DL's flight crews are also generally not the drill sergeant’s we've become accustomed to on AA.
i think most of the benefits I get overshadow the entertainment/food options from other airlines
Apr 24, 2008, 2:37 am
#7
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: USA & UK -- AA EXP 3.5MM, Hyatt Diamond, SPG Plat, Avis President's Club
Posts: 6,411
DL's main drawback, from a FF point of view, is their upgrade processing. On DL, fare class counts more than status. On AA, status counts more than fare class.
I'm sticking with AA.
I'm sticking with AA.
Apr 24, 2008, 2:45 am
#8
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: ORD
Programs: AA EXP,2MM, DL Gold,Starwood PLT
Posts: 3,876
Like you, I stick with AA. I almost always get the upgrade and that outways a better onboard product in Y (or even F) from DL. AA "knows why I fly" and in this case they are correct. Without the ugrades, my loyalty would vanish.
Apr 24, 2008, 2:55 am
#9
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: YYZ
Programs: NH Plat, AA Gold
Posts: 542
I am with AA becoz of the OW alliance as I do a fair bit of travel to Asia and CX is my preferred carrier to Asia.
Apr 24, 2008, 7:09 am
#10
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Cote d'Ivoire
Programs: OW Emerald - HH Diamond
Posts: 3,418
Have you checked the Delta board? They're up in arms about the "meals" in first class. They're glowing in praise of AA's offerings.
Apr 24, 2008, 7:19 am
#11
Moderator: American AAdvantage
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I've been with AA a while, so I think I'll stick around. Not to mention, the proposed DL-NW merger will possibly put a few sticks in the spokes of this bicycle. It's one thing to upgrade the DL widebodies, but now they will have to struggle for parity upgrading Northworst's metal. That should make for a nice money sink, not that fuel prices aren't already one - given DL and NW horrible losses for Q1 just reported. This story isn't over by a long shot.
Last edited by JDiver; Apr 24, 2008 at 9:52 am Reason: add "proposed" as afterthought
Apr 24, 2008, 7:25 am
#12
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Austin
Posts: 4,629
I flew DL for the first time since 1993 to get home from NY during the S80 problems. The flight was great. I have to say that it has got me thinking seriously about switching.
Apr 24, 2008, 7:37 am
#13
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Tampa, FL
Programs: AAMM & PLT; UA Gold, DL Silver, Marriott LT Titanium Elite, Hilton Diamond, Hertz #1 Gold Club
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My partner just flew Delta for the first time yesterday and as luck would have it, he flew on a wide body SEA to Atlanta that had gourmet food choices, in seat entertainment and, to hear him tell it, every amenity ever presented to man.
Now he want's me to start flying Delta everywhere we go. Not a chance I say I'm nearly platinum this year.
Oh the pressure, oh the humanity.
Now he want's me to start flying Delta everywhere we go. Not a chance I say I'm nearly platinum this year.
Oh the pressure, oh the humanity.
and am not looking forward to flying AA again next week (fortunately Co priced itself out of trip - so no issue with coorporate police). If it wasnt for the current double bonuses there is no way I would have flown AA.
Edit to add - yesterday was the first time I was ticked off that a flight was not delayed - man, I wish we circled for atleast 30 mins. I was watching the ManU-Barca Champions League semifinal LIVE - had to get off the plane with about 30 minutes remaining.
Apr 24, 2008, 7:42 am
#14
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Apr 24, 2008, 7:51 am
#15
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Just be aware that DL's frequent flyer program is in for a major award chart pricing overhaul.