ChiefNWA

Per internal release and Delta.com.

http://news.delta.com/subsidized-gulf-carrier-competition-forces-delta-cancel-atl-dubai

"Delta will no longer fly between Atlanta and Dubai effective Feb. 11, 2016. The announcement comes amid overcapacity on U.S. routes to the Middle East operated by government-owned and heavily subsidized airlines, and less than a month after Delta reduced service between the world’s busiest airport and the Middle East’s largest hub.

The 777 aircraft used to operate ATL-DXB will be redeployed to other Trans-Atlantic markets where it can compete on a level playing field that’s not distorted by subsidized state-owned airlines."

ClipperDelta

Here you go:

http://news.delta.com/subsidized-gul...ncel-atl-dubai

ChiefNWA

Thanks, edited OP

Emirates202

LOL about their reason for ending it, but they can't even get the name of EY right. It's Etihad Airways, not airlines.

woodford02A

Any guesses on how long until EK announces ATL? It has got to be one of the largest metros in the US that they are not in....

woodford02A

I think you are reading the sentence wrong, but it's a poorly written sentence... "...flown by Gulf carriers Emirates, Qatar and Etihad airlines"

Should be "...flown by Gulf airlines Emirates, Qatar and Etihad"

AAerSTL

That PR makes it sounds like DL is running away with their tail between their legs. Funny DL is all talk about many of these issues (like the issue with Ex-Im, and other "subsidies" or the HND slot case with US DOT) yet goes along with them as they see fit. It's very clear DL was the one pushing this action against the Gulf carriers and AA/UA more or less jumped in for the ride.

Anyone with the willingness or desire to fly to/through DXB would have a much better experience on EK regardless.

AvidFlyer1990

It was only a matter of time, I guess!

SOBE ER DOC

Having flown the Gulf carriers (even the discount ones) I would never fly a North American airline again if given the option. DL really screwed the pooch on this one. The best thing they could have done was to try and get a FF and codeshare agreement with Emirates or Etihad and let those carriers handle the GCC routes while DL focuses on its Asian expansion.

ashill

Now, I generally agree with DL that the structural subsidies received particularly by QR and EY (less so EK at present, though perhaps different in the past) are questionable at best. But this line is laughable:
Well, yeah, that's what happens when airlines grow connecting hubs. What about DL's growth in SEA, which sure doesn't reflect an enormous growth in SEA O&D traffic? Is that objectionable for similar reasons?

Depends on the cabin. In coach, EY at least is miserable (having flown them SYD-AUH-Europe and back on a 10-across 777 which manages to be even less comfortable than AF's 10-across 777s). I'd take DL any day in coach over EY, and my understanding is that EK is comparable to EY in coach. (I've never flown EK.) When I lived in SYD, I normally used CZ to get to Europe; much nicer than EY in coach, believe it or not.

javabytes

Quite the mini tantrum.

HDQDD

You forgot the qualifying part: "...in first class". On 777's, in business EK is 7 wide compared to 4 on DL, hardly a "better" experience. In Economy, 10 wide on a 777 also isn't considered a "better" experience than 9.

Dieuwer

Maybe DL should complain about FI too. After all, not too many people flying OD to Iceland!

rylan

Wow talk about whining on DL's part. Apparently they couldn't compete even though they frequently sell out the J cabin for this route for big bucks?

TrojanTraveler

But I think they really tried hard with this route, with their lousy J service and inadequate catering.