As a Diamond, I'm sure you'll be fine.

I can understand the disappointment, but as the Skymiles program offers no guarantee of upgrades, and there is certainly no guarantee that there won't ever be changes in routes/schedules/aircraft, I can't say that I see it as a blow to the program's integrity. Just my .02 though.

There has to be some integrity there in the first place before it can suffer a blow.

The bigger thing was the fact that SNA has lost all 757s now, with ATL being all 737-700 or A319 - a cut in half of the F seats.

That being said, Delta's first responsibility is to make money - if they think they can make more money with the new configuration, then more power to them.

The fact that it's on a 319/737-700 says one of 3 things:

1 - 757/737-800 was too big to fill
2 - 757/737-800 wasn't profitable enough
3 - 757/737-800 had too many F seats and not enough demand

All 3 of those would leave me saying...at least DL is still flying there.

I'm not sure that I would call it a blow to DL's integrity. The percentage of F seats is 9.5%. DL has some other planes with a smaller F percentage. There are some comparable 737s that have only 12 F seats too. It's not like Delta is touting unlimited comp upgrades with planes that have 4 F seats.

four rows of first on these planes was a very nice ratio of FC/Y. But, you also have to take into account that DL is ADDING First Class seats to the MD-90 planes and some MD-80's. I think the airline is trying for a particular uniform percentage of FC seats relative to Y. The 319's had too many FC seats. The 90's too few.

whether you like it or not, +1 for "calling it like it is"

Not to mention +9 FC seats in all CR7s

Welcome to FlyerTalk, overdahill! ^

Actually, this is one adjustment you will hardly feel at all. You can bet those seats will fill with DM's. Book your flights early enough -- or book Y fares -- and you can bet you will be in the front of the bus.

Those who will lose the most UG's here will be PM's, GM's and the always hopeful FO's...

And a word of advice to all...do not find yourself booked in row 4 of an A319. DL can easily pull an equipment swap (like for like - A319 in their eyes) that suddenly loses row 4 of the FC cabin.

-RM

Boo hoo. The UA A319's have only 8 F seats.

the missing row (continued)
 

i would like to thank all that either read and/or responded to my notice of the removal of row four on the airbus.

However, out of respect for all the frequent fliers out there, I would add some commentary to the responses received to more fully illustrate the depth of the dastardly deed.

Some responses and my thinking...

"As a Diamond, I'm sure you'll be fine." Sorry not true, even with four rows of 1st, often not enough to fill upgrades for Just diamonds. With one row chopped, many diamonds will be left out routinely. Orange county has a very high density of major travelers. I have seen UA flights where ALL on board were top level. Thats 120 out of 120 more or less. The 319's were configured like this for 20 years. First class seats, I do believe, sell for a higher average fare. So give up four average + for six average - and I am not sure where it all hangs out.

Note there were no notices given, that would have at least been a minimum amount of respect. Same thing with routes discontinued.
.

"I can understand the disappointment, but as the Skymiles program offers no guarantee of upgrades, and there is certainly no guarantee that there won't ever be changes in routes/schedules/aircraft,"

Lets say that as a diamond, you can no longer get more than one in five flights to your home city upgraded. And to even get those, you had to spend more that %50% more per ticket. How would that make you feel? We are not talking about a few or random upgrades missed, but the big cahunas.


"The bigger thing was the fact that SNA has lost all 757s now, with ATL being all 737-700 or A319 - a cut in half of the F seats."

3 cheers for that observation....but did we lose the 757's for other good reasons?


"That being said, Delta's first responsibility is to make money - if they think they can make more money with the new configuration,
then more power to them."

I think who ever did the math had a sign loose on one of the variables. As having done optimization work for airline capacity, i find the result difficult to accept as accurate. Maybe they can make more money and get rid of all first class! How about more seats and less leg room, we don't need any leg room. lets stand all the way. The absurdity of extremes and need for balance.


"The fact that it's on a 319/737-700 says one of 3 things:

1 - 757/737-800 was too big to fill
2 - 757/737-800 wasn't profitable enough
3 - 757/737-800 had too many F seats and not enough demand"

Maybe with runway time pressure the 757's had to go for other reasons, like they require more separation due to their massively higher
turbulence generation.


"All 3 of those would leave me saying...at least DL is still flying there."

Maybe....maybe not


" I'm not sure that I would call it a blow to DL's integrity. The percentage of F seats is 9.5%. DL has some other planes with a smaller F percentage. There are some comparable 737s that have only 12 F seats too.
It's not like Delta is touting unlimited comp upgrades with planes that have 4 F seats."

Orange county was a cash cow to American. Maybe delta/nw missed the boat...


"four rows of first on these planes was a very nice ratio of FC/Y. But, you also have to take into account that DL is ADDING First Class seats to the MD-90 planes and some MD-80's. I think the airline is trying for
a particular uniform percentage of FC seats relative to Y. The 319's had too many FC seats. The 90's too few."

Ashes to ashes and.... There is a the perfect % of first class inscribed on the pyramids tails.

I get it...The Mel Brooks 11th commandment.... all planes must have the same ratio of f/c seats. I missed that tablet.

Depends on market and $$$ passengers will pay for premium seats.

"Actually, this is one adjustment you will hardly feel at all. You can bet those seats will fill with DM's
. Book your flights early enough -- or book Y fares -- and you can bet you will be in the front of the bus."

Why should i have to pay a full y fare, being a diamond, anyone pays a y and gets a kick. Early won't do it because of complex rules on fare categories and purchase dates. Never had a firm grip on the rule.....


"Those who will lose the most UG's here will be PM's, GM's and the always hopeful FO's..."

Nope, Plats will now almost never and diamonds frequently will have no u/g.

"And a word of advice to all...do not find yourself booked in row 4 of an A319. DL can easily pull an equipment swap
(like for like - A319 in their eyes) that suddenly loses row 4 of the FC cabin."

good advice....


"Boo hoo. The UA A319's have only 8 F seats."

Yes..send this person a turkey...maybe the rows of economy plus more than make up for that......


I really don't think that delta "management" has any kind of handle on the preferences of their most frequent fliers. Their frequent fliers do not appear to understand the economic discrimination factors.

Otherwise, would not it seem that they would be strategizing in partitioning the group to strengthen each's service?

good luck to all you newbies.... looks like the sounding bell for the system has rung.....

me... da old turkey.

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