Rumor: 747 B/E seat reduction
#91
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: MSP; SM with status & many BIS miles
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I was under the impression that this could not be done anymore.
If you have been successful, what is the process or procedure, were you able to get extra miles (RDM/MQM) for doing so?
#92
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RealHJ does make a good point. Why does DL have such an aversion to accommodating passengers on another airline when they cancel one of their flights? There was a member on FT who posted not too long ago that DL canceled their flight home from Mexico and told them they wouldn't be able to get on another DL flight for a few days. Why not put them on an Alaska or Aeromexico flight and get them home?
#93
Join Date: Jun 2013
Programs: UA,DL
Posts: 279
Well its only a rumor for now but I hope this isn't true, and it will basically mean that J won't be as fun to ride on a 747 as it will feel the same as if your riding a 777.
#94
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: HNL
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The fact is that DL really is at the head at the pack - of the worst, that is - among service recovery, on all but the few routes where it has a lot of its own flights. Vast majority of other airlines will put you on another airline flight (same and often even different alliance) no ifs or buts about it if there is a cancellation (some, like UA, even if there are 10s of other comparable schedule UA options, will still put you on another airline flight that you prefer, last minute full fare, if you simply ask for it), but DL will outright refuse to do so. That alone puts DL as one of the very worst at that.
#95
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 6
I think that DL is only "best at service recovery" on routes where it has the most flights (e.g. 10 daily flights XXX-YYY) - as any other airline would be in such a situation. Those who keep peddling the lie that DL is in any shape or form better than others at service recovery (if anything, UA is 1000s of times better than DL at service recovery, both domestic and int'l) likely only fly on a few limited routes where DL has lots of flights and oooh and awe when DL puts them on the next DL flight an hour later - as again any other similarly situated airline would.
The fact is that DL really is at the head at the pack - of the worst, that is - among service recovery, on all but the few routes where it has a lot of its own flights. Vast majority of other airlines will put you on another airline flight (same and often even different alliance) no ifs or buts about it if there is a cancellation (some, like UA, even if there are 10s of other comparable schedule UA options, will still put you on another airline flight that you prefer, last minute full fare, if you simply ask for it), but DL will outright refuse to do so. That alone puts DL as one of the very worst at that.
The fact is that DL really is at the head at the pack - of the worst, that is - among service recovery, on all but the few routes where it has a lot of its own flights. Vast majority of other airlines will put you on another airline flight (same and often even different alliance) no ifs or buts about it if there is a cancellation (some, like UA, even if there are 10s of other comparable schedule UA options, will still put you on another airline flight that you prefer, last minute full fare, if you simply ask for it), but DL will outright refuse to do so. That alone puts DL as one of the very worst at that.
#96
Join Date: Sep 2012
Programs: DL DM, MM
Posts: 2,970
I strongly disagree. I've had multiple Delta experiences with great service recovery. I love that I can rebook my own flights on Delta.com or using the Fly Delta app. I have also had Delta rebook me on other airlines when Delta would get me in 1 1/2 hours later on a different than on the other airline.
I do think they have a limitation when buying an oversold seat. I've had an agent be "unable to see any space" when i was looking at 1 seat available on an OTA. I ended up having to book it myself and apply for a refund from DL. That was frustrating but it could have been an oversell.
Last edited by StuckOnSegments; Mar 23, 2014 at 8:58 pm
#97
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While the 777 isn't bad (I like the beds better, but like the 767 cabins better), the BE cabin just isn't that private compared to 747.
#98
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: HKG/MEX
Programs: DL/PM/2MM TK*G
Posts: 199
As all of you know here at Delta thread, Delta now welcomes and give more for those highly revenue customers but give less for paying cheap.
For those paying real business class ticket, Delta gives more miles!
Those flying cheap, Delta gives way less than before!
So therefore Delta removing BE from U/D and replace it with EC is the great idea for them no matter what we think here.
All Delta got to do is not allowing upgrades from any Y ticket then BE won't be filled up, Delta knows that most of BE customers are upgraded customers so Delta rather to have more Y seats in 747-400 fleet for better revenue and that makes sense a lot!
Hoping DL sells Y ticket less and I welcome Delta's move of course!
For those paying real business class ticket, Delta gives more miles!
Those flying cheap, Delta gives way less than before!
So therefore Delta removing BE from U/D and replace it with EC is the great idea for them no matter what we think here.
All Delta got to do is not allowing upgrades from any Y ticket then BE won't be filled up, Delta knows that most of BE customers are upgraded customers so Delta rather to have more Y seats in 747-400 fleet for better revenue and that makes sense a lot!
Hoping DL sells Y ticket less and I welcome Delta's move of course!
#99
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Maybe it depends on your medallion level, but I've never really had an issue getting put on another airline due to a Delta cancellation.
I do think they have a limitation when buying an oversold seat. I've had an agent be "unable to see any space" when i was looking at 1 seat available on an OTA. I ended up having to book it myself and apply for a refund from DL. That was frustrating but it could have been an oversell.
I do think they have a limitation when buying an oversold seat. I've had an agent be "unable to see any space" when i was looking at 1 seat available on an OTA. I ended up having to book it myself and apply for a refund from DL. That was frustrating but it could have been an oversell.
#100
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: ORD/MDW
Programs: DL DM; SPG Gold
Posts: 1,733
My 75 year old grandmother was flying MEM-IAH a few months ago and Delta canceled her flight that evening due to a crew issue. This was on a Friday evening and the last flight that could have connected her through ATL had already left. I called Delta and they refused to put her on a direct flight on United. They told me she would have to fly the next day. Delta does not fly MEM-IAH on Saturdays so they had to connect her through ATL. They gave her a 40 minute connection in Atlanta. My grandmother does not travel often and always books nonstop flights. She had never been to ATL. I finally convinced an agent to give her a longer connection after I explained over and over that my grandmother would most likely miss her connecting flight with such a short connection. They could have avoided the whole mess by putting her on the nonstop UA flight.
Happened to me once when coming home with a friend, my DL connecting flight was cancelled and was told to get on next day flight. Had to do my own research and found a direct flight on US air leaving in 40 min. Was told several times by check in counter agent that it was not possible tot get on that flight I would have to wait until next morning. I finally asked about rule 240. Then off to the direct US air ;-)
#101
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#102
Join Date: Nov 2012
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Could we please stay on topic? This thread is about the DL 747, not about IROPS or service recovery.
#103
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: NYC
Programs: DL PM, DL MM
Posts: 4,246
Sorry for not reading this thread as I have been in Palestine, but 73A on the 744 is my favorite seat for the whole of DL equipment. I have yet to get a newly configured 332/3 but would be more than sad to lost the 744 UP as I have been going out of my way to get on the 744s.
Back on topic...I would be surprised to see the UD being converted....747 flights from the US are TLV & NRT and both are usually pretty jammed in J. Doesn't seem like it would make sense to remove a bunch of seats
#104
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 5,679
Isn't this a negative feedback loop at some point? DL wants higher fares up front, so they remove seats thereby reducing availability of discounted BE fares. Some pax with pockets overflowing with cash don't care and buy anyway (corp discounts, opm). Other pax who are price sensitive or try to spend their company money smarter book to other airlines with lower fares instead. DL ends up with open seats and has to offer discount I/Z fares lest DMs on an X fare using a global cert sit up front. Repeat downward spiral.
Here is a first hand example... had to send some employees to Italy. Booked Emirates to MXP since it was less expensive than DL and has a world-class product.
Here is a first hand example... had to send some employees to Italy. Booked Emirates to MXP since it was less expensive than DL and has a world-class product.
I think this is partly to juice loads and pricing, and the other part is to make it operationally easier to sub out 744s as they start to get replaced with smaller wide bodies. It's not going to be a quick transition and I suspect MXs are going to be brutal towards the end of the transition for some Y PAX.
#105
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 1,117
Now that DL announced Wifi on the 747 fleet, does it make this rumor seem more likely to be true?
Are they doing things like that together? The PR piece says 3/16 already have Wifi installed, so maybe it's unrelated?
Are they doing things like that together? The PR piece says 3/16 already have Wifi installed, so maybe it's unrelated?