When will DL get another nonstop to HKG
Aug 12, 2012, 8:25 pm
#16
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It's incorrect information anyway. The largest expat HKG community is in YVR, not YYZ. It's why CX has so much service there for a city its size.
Aug 12, 2012, 8:32 pm
#17
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DTW HKG is always packed in Y and BE relatively empty except for DM op-up. SO if the freight business does not justify to volume the route will get cut.
DTW HKG was implemented due to the proximity of DTW to YYZ which has the second largest ex-HK population in all of North America.
DTW HKG was implemented due to the proximity of DTW to YYZ which has the second largest ex-HK population in all of North America.
Aug 12, 2012, 8:32 pm
#18
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 5,679
The Solution is 787
The issue DL has is it needs a smaller more fuel efficient plane to fly those routes. NW ordered the 787 with overflying NRT in mind. I hear that directly from a number of PMNW folks on the 787 program. There's a premium for the NonStop, the loads are easier to manage than a 747 or 777, and the plane has the range for TPAC missions.
DL could do a JFK-NRT, but it's a long mission that only a subset of their WB fleet could do and it could be a blood bath if it turns into a fare war.
DL could do a JFK-NRT, but it's a long mission that only a subset of their WB fleet could do and it could be a blood bath if it turns into a fare war.
Aug 12, 2012, 8:41 pm
#19
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The issue DL has is it needs a smaller more fuel efficient plane to fly those routes. NW ordered the 787 with overflying NRT in mind. I hear that directly from a number of PMNW folks on the 787 program. There's a premium for the NonStop, the loads are easier to manage than a 747 or 777, and the plane has the range for TPAC missions.
DL could do a JFK-NRT, but it's a long mission that only a subset of their WB fleet could do and it could be a blood bath if it turns into a fare war.
DL could do a JFK-NRT, but it's a long mission that only a subset of their WB fleet could do and it could be a blood bath if it turns into a fare war.
Aug 12, 2012, 10:58 pm
#20
Join Date: May 2012
Posts: 349
The thing to keep in mind about a possible JFK-HKG (and why I think that route will get the nod over ATL or SEA) is that, with the LGA expansion, Delta is starting to look more attractive to business pax in NYC. Of course, whether there are enough of those pax for DL to make JFK-HKG work remains to be seen.
Aug 12, 2012, 11:28 pm
#21
Join Date: May 2006
Posts: 304
The thing to keep in mind about a possible JFK-HKG (and why I think that route will get the nod over ATL or SEA) is that, with the LGA expansion, Delta is starting to look more attractive to business pax in NYC. Of course, whether there are enough of those pax for DL to make JFK-HKG work remains to be seen.
It's just a hunch but maybe they're looking at LAX-HKG. Decent network outlet at the night bank, a pretty decent premium market that might be persuaded by a good product, only one competitor in the market, and Delta does a pretty heavy cargo business out of LA and cargo might be enough to put the route in the black. Who ever thought Sydney would work -- as competitive as it is -- and Delta's done well with that. Maybe HKG is a natural extension of what they've done with both Tokyo markets, Sydney, and Guatemala.
Aug 13, 2012, 12:30 am
#22
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I agree with this, and why I think JFK-HKG is the most likely replacement. If Delta is wrangling away a lot of corporate traffic in NYC from other carriers/alliances, then it might have enough of a base to make JFK-HKG work. Although JFK-HKG is a relatively terrible connection to HKG for the rest of the network.
It's just a hunch but maybe they're looking at LAX-HKG. Decent network outlet at the night bank, a pretty decent premium market that might be persuaded by a good product, only one competitor in the market, and Delta does a pretty heavy cargo business out of LA and cargo might be enough to put the route in the black. Who ever thought Sydney would work -- as competitive as it is -- and Delta's done well with that. Maybe HKG is a natural extension of what they've done with both Tokyo markets, Sydney, and Guatemala.
It's just a hunch but maybe they're looking at LAX-HKG. Decent network outlet at the night bank, a pretty decent premium market that might be persuaded by a good product, only one competitor in the market, and Delta does a pretty heavy cargo business out of LA and cargo might be enough to put the route in the black. Who ever thought Sydney would work -- as competitive as it is -- and Delta's done well with that. Maybe HKG is a natural extension of what they've done with both Tokyo markets, Sydney, and Guatemala.
Aug 13, 2012, 5:39 am
#23
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. You also know beforehand that your chance of an UG is 0%.
Aug 13, 2012, 6:42 am
#24
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BUT
I notice the HK targeted travel agencies around Greater Toronto pushing DL YYZ DTW HKG and their lower cost over CX YYX HKG, until HainanAir undercut DL by $100 doing YYZ PEK HKG.
Aug 13, 2012, 7:46 am
#25
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I hope all the time for an ATL-HKG route. I am lazy, and even if the Delta international product is pretty awful, I will put up with it to get on a plane once and fly non stop. I have hoped that this leg would come along for years especially with the Delta buy out of Northwest, but I am starting to believe it wont. I will just having to continue flying to LAX, EWR, SFO, JFK, or ORD and picking up Cathay Pacific, Eva, etc.
Aug 13, 2012, 8:55 am
#26
Join Date: Jan 2007
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Aug 13, 2012, 9:03 am
#27
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That not an indication that DL ever operated the route to cater to the YYZ-HKG market, it's just an indication that DL was the cheapest and allowed the travel agents to put the best price in their windows.
Aug 13, 2012, 9:06 am
#28
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I don't enjoy early morning departures either, but this is no different than the countless people in spokes who wake up to catch 5:45 AM departures to the nearest hub cities.
Aug 13, 2012, 9:16 am
#29
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Agreed. I got up at 2:30 am the last time I was in HEL and perhaps 3:30 am in HKG and next week I am up at 3:30 am for OKC on to ATH. This kind of schedule is normal for me.
Aug 13, 2012, 9:28 am
#30
Join Date: May 2012
Posts: 349
It's just a hunch but maybe they're looking at LAX-HKG. Decent network outlet at the night bank, a pretty decent premium market that might be persuaded by a good product, only one competitor in the market, and Delta does a pretty heavy cargo business out of LA and cargo might be enough to put the route in the black. Who ever thought Sydney would work -- as competitive as it is -- and Delta's done well with that. Maybe HKG is a natural extension of what they've done with both Tokyo markets, Sydney, and Guatemala.