Delta Non-Competes with Spirit on SAN-LAS
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: San Diego
Programs: IHG Spire Amb, HH Diamond, DL Diamond and 1MM
Posts: 3,610
Delta Non-Competes with Spirit on SAN-LAS
In January, Delta goes head-to-head with Spirit by startling nonstop service SAN-LAS. Silly me; I thought this was going to be good news.
A week or so ago, SAN-(LAX)-LAS rt was available as low as $163 until the end of the year on Delta, and the same for the nonstop beginning in January.
Now, the price is the same, but it books into "Basic Economy" (an E fare). The lowest Delta fare is now an E fare even if the underlying fare basis is higher than V, like an X for example. On the Delta app, you can select among First, Comfort Plus, Main Cabin, and Basic Economy on this route.
Meanwhile, Spirit's lowest fare is $98 rt. Delta is greedy or out of touch with the market. A price-sensitive consumer is going to go with Spirit instead of paying $65 more for an E fare on Delta. A Delta frequent flier is just going to be annoyed with having to pay more for the benefits that used to be included in the $163 price point.
A week or so ago, SAN-(LAX)-LAS rt was available as low as $163 until the end of the year on Delta, and the same for the nonstop beginning in January.
Now, the price is the same, but it books into "Basic Economy" (an E fare). The lowest Delta fare is now an E fare even if the underlying fare basis is higher than V, like an X for example. On the Delta app, you can select among First, Comfort Plus, Main Cabin, and Basic Economy on this route.
Meanwhile, Spirit's lowest fare is $98 rt. Delta is greedy or out of touch with the market. A price-sensitive consumer is going to go with Spirit instead of paying $65 more for an E fare on Delta. A Delta frequent flier is just going to be annoyed with having to pay more for the benefits that used to be included in the $163 price point.
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: MSP
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Spirit? Where you have to pay extra for carryon bags, drink on plane, printing BP @ airport, etc?
Why bother?
Why bother?
#4
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: MSP
Programs: Delta PM, Hyatt Discoverist, Hertz PC
Posts: 2,303
Delta really doesn't compete on price with Spirit in very many markets. At least on a match basis. It'll usually set its price, even on an E fare, $20-$30 more than Spirit at a minimum.
#5
Join Date: May 2015
Location: DCA
Programs: AA EXP, DL FO, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 6,709
I know a lot of people who won't fly the discount carriers due to hidden fees, safety concerns, etc.
DL obviously sees value here, or they wouldn't have gone out of their way to start a point-to-point between outstations.
DL obviously sees value here, or they wouldn't have gone out of their way to start a point-to-point between outstations.
#6
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Join Date: May 2005
Location: PIT
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Having flown Frontier very recently on a similar length flight - PIT/ORD, (+ RyanAir & EasyJet) I'd say that, if you're taking a short trip of a day or 2, and can carry on your bag, and you're not worried about an IROPS situation, Spirit should be fine, particularly if you want to spend the extra $$$ in LAS!
If your situation involves checking bags, and you're a DL Medallion, flying DL might make more sense.
If your situation involves checking bags, and you're a DL Medallion, flying DL might make more sense.
#7
Join Date: May 2015
Posts: 2,881
LLCs work for me on trips where I'm tolerant for IROPs, not checking bags, and traveling alone. I don't care about seat assignments, and I prefer self-service technology, so I avoid nearly all extra fees. My 3 trips on LLCs so far have taught me that if I just lower my expectations for their operations, it's a pleasant trip. Every flight was running about 30 minutes late, and that worked for me. Lowering my expectations made me feel better, and the employees were all nice (maybe because I was also nice to them). My point is: LLCs don't compete for the same customer base with Delta. I consider a LLC for a weekend in Vegas to save money and I'm flexible. I fly Delta to weddings and funerals to make sure I get there on time or I have rebooking options if not. Given all this, I accept that I'm willing to pay more to fly Delta when I'm going somewhere that's time-sensitive. It all depends on the purpose for my travel.
#8
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 2,425
LLCs work for me on trips where I'm tolerant for IROPs, not checking bags, and traveling alone. I don't care about seat assignments, and I prefer self-service technology, so I avoid nearly all extra fees. My 3 trips on LLCs so far have taught me that if I just lower my expectations for their operations, it's a pleasant trip. Every flight was running about 30 minutes late, and that worked for me. Lowering my expectations made me feel better, and the employees were all nice (maybe because I was also nice to them). My point is: LLCs don't compete for the same customer base with Delta. I consider a LLC for a weekend in Vegas to save money and I'm flexible. I fly Delta to weddings and funerals to make sure I get there on time or I have rebooking options if not. Given all this, I accept that I'm willing to pay more to fly Delta when I'm going somewhere that's time-sensitive. It all depends on the purpose for my travel.
#9
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2010
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Posts: 50,262
DL doesn't compete against NK. It's that simple.
Those fare comparisons are pretty much true on pretty much every route NK flies, whether it's up against UA, AA, or DL.
E fares are E fares. People who need to save, use them. At least they get a safe aircraft and IRROPS rebooking. Others stick with the standard fares and DL does quite well with them.
If your marketing data shows otherwise, maybe DL will drop its fares. But, DL does pretty well at pricing. So, my guess is that DL is right within a few bucks and DL will do just fine.
Those fare comparisons are pretty much true on pretty much every route NK flies, whether it's up against UA, AA, or DL.
E fares are E fares. People who need to save, use them. At least they get a safe aircraft and IRROPS rebooking. Others stick with the standard fares and DL does quite well with them.
If your marketing data shows otherwise, maybe DL will drop its fares. But, DL does pretty well at pricing. So, my guess is that DL is right within a few bucks and DL will do just fine.
#10
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: SJC
Programs: DL PM MM, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 3,276
I'd never fly NK with it's paltry 28" pitch. I don't care how much cheaper they are than their competitors, I'm not ever flying NK.
OTOH, there are those who will give up creature comforts to save a few bucks. That's why they exist.
OTOH, there are those who will give up creature comforts to save a few bucks. That's why they exist.
Last edited by SJC ORD LDR; Oct 12, 2016 at 10:23 pm
#11
Moderator: Manufactured Spending
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 6,576
I've noticed that over the last few years, airlines have been less price-competitive. They don't immediately match prices when a LCC enters the market like they used to. Perhaps Delta feels that it is big and strong enough that some passengers will be willing to pay more to fly them, and they don't care about the rest. It's now about profits, not market share like it was a few years ago.
#12
Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: Greater Seattle Area
Programs: Star Alliance
Posts: 134
Agree with Widgets that it's for leisure weekend trips, for formal occasions I would still book Delta or others. But for domestic flights to visit friends and families, i don't see the huge damage of flying with Spirit. But in a honest opinion, LCC has also gotten more and more stingy on their fees and enforcement as the year goes on, so probably the reason why Delta isn't attempting to match the price anymore since their service standard has gotten further apart anyway.
#13
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: PHX
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Posts: 1,095
I've noticed that over the last few years, airlines have been less price-competitive. They don't immediately match prices when a LCC enters the market like they used to. Perhaps Delta feels that it is big and strong enough that some passengers will be willing to pay more to fly them, and they don't care about the rest. It's now about profits, not market share like it was a few years ago.
Last edited by PHXflier; Oct 13, 2016 at 10:33 am
#15
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