What keeps you on Delta?
#91
Join Date: May 2015
Location: DCA
Programs: AA EXP, DL FO, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 6,712
For domestic trips:
Based in ATL.
Better experience at ATL DTW MSP compared to ORD EWR DFW.
Crews always try hard to ensure on time departure.
For international trips:
A350!
Strong SkyTeam presence in mainland China, where I commute twice a year. I can redeem SM on China domestic flight by China Eastern, China Southern and Xiamen Airlines for a very cheap price for both economy and first.
SkyTeam elite plus got me recognition in domestic China flights and even one upgrade to first on China Eastern.
Based in ATL.
Better experience at ATL DTW MSP compared to ORD EWR DFW.
Crews always try hard to ensure on time departure.
For international trips:
A350!
Strong SkyTeam presence in mainland China, where I commute twice a year. I can redeem SM on China domestic flight by China Eastern, China Southern and Xiamen Airlines for a very cheap price for both economy and first.
SkyTeam elite plus got me recognition in domestic China flights and even one upgrade to first on China Eastern.
#92
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: HNL
Programs: DL PM/1MM, BW DE (lifetime), HH DE, Marriott PE (lifetime), National Emerald Executive
Posts: 7,205
Yeah OP is wrong here. ST is the worst of the three, and DL makes it impossible to use much of the time. Traveling outside of a JV? Good luck getting DL to issue a ticket. Buying one directly? Prepare to get fleeced on mileage earnings.
It's absurd that a JV has supposedly been signed, but KE is still group 4.
It's absurd that a JV has supposedly been signed, but KE is still group 4.
The SkyTeam mileage earning can be at times pathetic, but, well, it's not that much better in OW or *A either. That's a global trend.
There's no reason to get DL to issue the ticket. On revenue flights, have whichever carrier will provide the lowest fare issue the ticket.
#94
Join Date: May 2015
Location: DCA
Programs: AA EXP, DL FO, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 6,712
Delta can being really entertaining at times. Just pull up a chair next to the service counter at major SCs, get the popcorn, and watch the show.
"I'm a super-triple Diamond who flew 1 million light years last year, why haven't I been upgraded?"
"Sorry sir, first is full of paid passengers today."
"I'm a super-triple Diamond who flew 1 million light years last year, why haven't I been upgraded?"
"Sorry sir, first is full of paid passengers today."
#95
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2012
Location: MCO
Programs: AA, B6, DL, EK, EY, QR, SQ, UA, Amex Plat, Marriott Tit, HHonors Gold
Posts: 12,809
In terms of routes, global reach, schedules, and product, SkyTeam is far ahead of OneWorld and, depending on where you go to, either ahead of or just behind Star Alliance. (Out of HNL SkyTeam blows *A out of the water. You can go CI to TPE or NRT, KE to ICN or NRT, DL to NRT, NGO, KIX or FUK, while with *A all you have is UA to NRT one measily daily flight, NH to NRT, HND, OZ to ICN, and AC to PEK - that's it! OW of course JAL dominates, but that's just one airline, the rest of the alliance is rather weak reach wise.)
The SkyTeam mileage earning can be at times pathetic, but, well, it's not that much better in OW or *A either. That's a global trend.
There's no reason to get DL to issue the ticket. On revenue flights, have whichever carrier will provide the lowest fare issue the ticket.
The SkyTeam mileage earning can be at times pathetic, but, well, it's not that much better in OW or *A either. That's a global trend.
There's no reason to get DL to issue the ticket. On revenue flights, have whichever carrier will provide the lowest fare issue the ticket.
I could see routes and schedule being arguable depending on your location and needs, but I don't see product as ever being something SkyTeam will widely be considered the leader in.
#96
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: HNL
Programs: DL PM/1MM, BW DE (lifetime), HH DE, Marriott PE (lifetime), National Emerald Executive
Posts: 7,205
Routes maybe, global reach maybe, schedules depend heavily where you are and where you want to go, but product, no way. DL, KL, and KE are decent enough, though not notably better than any of their competitors. Outside of AF's new F and J products which have limited availability at the moment, AF is quite unimpressive. Alitalia, while decent may not exist by the time I hit post. I've heard good things about Garuda recently, but can't comment as I haven't flown with them, and they operate a pretty limited network. Outside of that, the rest of the alliance ranges from airlines I would consider forgettable down to ones I would never even consider flying on.
I could see routes and schedule being arguable depending on your location and needs, but I don't see product as ever being something SkyTeam will widely be considered the leader in.
I could see routes and schedule being arguable depending on your location and needs, but I don't see product as ever being something SkyTeam will widely be considered the leader in.
pork + beef burger patty": the whole cabin smelled horrible and some pax literally threw up - and most went hungry, and that is what NH serves on its flagship routes between two mega *A hubs, so it is its 'best of the best'), CA has some good product like A330s (same seats as LOT, LAN, and other airlines with excellent J product) and some really ancient product, UA has 2-4-2 J class, LH has 2-3-2 "footsie" J seats in brand new refurbished 747-8s, OZ uses angled lie flats for many or most of its long-haul flights and only a few of its aircraft have true lie flats, and so on.
So, product wise SkyTeam wins hands down leaps and bounds over Star Alliance, while with OneWorld it's more or less of a tie, but keep in mind that OneWorld has very limited reach in many parts of the world. AY does a good job of providing connections through HEL between most major airports in EU, Asia and some in N. America, but still that will only get you so far, and while AY product is good, the in-flight service is the slowest and most frustrating of any airline.
#97
Join Date: May 2008
Location: NYC
Programs: DL PM; UA 1K; AA 1MM
Posts: 4,516
#98
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: HNL
Programs: DL PM/1MM, BW DE (lifetime), HH DE, Marriott PE (lifetime), National Emerald Executive
Posts: 7,205
So, just by the numbers, SkyTeam is bigger than One World by 33% in terms of airlines, by 18% in terms of destinations.
I mean that's just plain facts.
Star Alliance has far greater reach with 1300+ destinations and 28 airlines, but many of its airlines have a rather subpar product on many of their long-haul flights.
#99
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: DFW or Somewhere Else
Programs: UA Plt /Delta DM/ Marriott Platinum Prem./Hilton Diamond / Hyatt Globalist /Hertz PS / National EE
Posts: 1,107
Aside from some stupid PR stuff that's hurt United I have been downright blown away by how much more I enjoy flying them. Especially in F. Much more space. Economy plus is easy to grab seats and the cabins are huge. Meals in F are more substantial and done nicely in courses. Even short morning flights serve a hot muffin and coffee in first. United is trying harder that's for sure. I don't like their approach to Basic Economy and I do agree that their Econ plus seats could use more padding.
Overall between far more (and I mean FAR more ) useful miles and some improvements in service Delta doesn't have a slam dunk anymore. American is trying harde too. Their biggest downfall is lack of technology for IRROPs. What idiots. Seems like a simple Capital investment that will pay off
Overall between far more (and I mean FAR more ) useful miles and some improvements in service Delta doesn't have a slam dunk anymore. American is trying harde too. Their biggest downfall is lack of technology for IRROPs. What idiots. Seems like a simple Capital investment that will pay off
#100
Suspended
Join Date: Jun 2005
Programs: Delta Diamond, Marriott Ambassador & Lifetime Titanium, Hertz President's Circle, United Silver
Posts: 6,334
In terms of routes, global reach, schedules, and product, SkyTeam is far ahead of OneWorld and, depending on where you go to, either ahead of or just behind Star Alliance. (Out of HNL SkyTeam blows *A out of the water. You can go CI to TPE or NRT, KE to ICN or NRT, DL to NRT, NGO, KIX or FUK, while with *A all you have is UA to NRT one measily daily flight, NH to NRT, HND, OZ to ICN, and AC to PEK - that's it! OW of course JAL dominates, but that's just one airline, the rest of the alliance is rather weak reach wise.)
The SkyTeam mileage earning can be at times pathetic, but, well, it's not that much better in OW or *A either. That's a global trend.
There's no reason to get DL to issue the ticket. On revenue flights, have whichever carrier will provide the lowest fare issue the ticket.
The SkyTeam mileage earning can be at times pathetic, but, well, it's not that much better in OW or *A either. That's a global trend.
There's no reason to get DL to issue the ticket. On revenue flights, have whichever carrier will provide the lowest fare issue the ticket.
#101
Join Date: May 2008
Location: NYC
Programs: DL PM; UA 1K; AA 1MM
Posts: 4,516
Factually, OneWorld has 15 airlines that serve a total of about 900 destinations (ref. http://www.iberia.com/us/our-allianc...lobal-network/), while factually SkyTeam has 20 airlines and more than 1060 destinations (ref. https://www.skyteam.com/en/flights-and-destinations/).
So, just by the numbers, SkyTeam is bigger than One World by 33% in terms of airlines, by 18% in terms of destinations.
I mean that's just plain facts.
Star Alliance has far greater reach with 1300+ destinations and 28 airlines, but many of its airlines have a rather subpar product on many of their long-haul flights.
So, just by the numbers, SkyTeam is bigger than One World by 33% in terms of airlines, by 18% in terms of destinations.
I mean that's just plain facts.
Star Alliance has far greater reach with 1300+ destinations and 28 airlines, but many of its airlines have a rather subpar product on many of their long-haul flights.
#102
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2001
Location: SoFla (formerly NYC Metro)
Programs: DL PM, UA Prem1K, Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Platinum, IHG Platinum
Posts: 25,694
I am still with Delta because:
A. My origin airports are NYC, typically JFK. When I fly T2 (or T4), I can utilize the CLEAR lane at T2 and be landside to airside in <5 minutes.
B. My travel is 99% TRANSCON or TATL. Where I fly, domestically, DL has better pricing and product. TATL is a mixed bag. Sometimes Skyteam is better, sometimes *A is. Loyalty to one airline or alliance is dead, so folks who fly a lot are better served by having a primary and a secondary alliance.
C. Amex partnership.
D. Overall familiarity with the program
E. Lately, I have noticed an effort to be more customer-focused by the customer-facing folks. At least they seem more enthusiastic in their greetings, etc.
Points & Miles aren't like 401K. They are much more "smoke'em if you got'em". The value will always decrease and devalue over time.
N.B. Call in to book and have them add to your PNR that you are a honeymoon couple. Same with your hotel.
O/H
A. My origin airports are NYC, typically JFK. When I fly T2 (or T4), I can utilize the CLEAR lane at T2 and be landside to airside in <5 minutes.
B. My travel is 99% TRANSCON or TATL. Where I fly, domestically, DL has better pricing and product. TATL is a mixed bag. Sometimes Skyteam is better, sometimes *A is. Loyalty to one airline or alliance is dead, so folks who fly a lot are better served by having a primary and a secondary alliance.
C. Amex partnership.
D. Overall familiarity with the program
E. Lately, I have noticed an effort to be more customer-focused by the customer-facing folks. At least they seem more enthusiastic in their greetings, etc.
My only real regret about investing so much of my travel time in Delta is how hard it has been to get any real value out of Skymiles. I've been banking for an upcoming honeymoon, and even with close to 400,000 Skymiles it's hard to find a business class itinerary that works well.
N.B. Call in to book and have them add to your PNR that you are a honeymoon couple. Same with your hotel.
O/H
#103
Suspended
Join Date: Jun 2005
Programs: Delta Diamond, Marriott Ambassador & Lifetime Titanium, Hertz President's Circle, United Silver
Posts: 6,334
I am still with Delta because:
A. My origin airports are NYC, typically JFK. When I fly T2 (or T4), I can utilize the CLEAR lane at T2 and be landside to airside in <5 minutes.
B. My travel is 99% TRANSCON or TATL. Where I fly, domestically, DL has better pricing and product. TATL is a mixed bag. Sometimes Skyteam is better, sometimes *A is. Loyalty to one airline or alliance is dead, so folks who fly a lot are better served by having a primary and a secondary alliance.
A. My origin airports are NYC, typically JFK. When I fly T2 (or T4), I can utilize the CLEAR lane at T2 and be landside to airside in <5 minutes.
B. My travel is 99% TRANSCON or TATL. Where I fly, domestically, DL has better pricing and product. TATL is a mixed bag. Sometimes Skyteam is better, sometimes *A is. Loyalty to one airline or alliance is dead, so folks who fly a lot are better served by having a primary and a secondary alliance.
#104
Join Date: May 2008
Location: NYC
Programs: DL PM; UA 1K; AA 1MM
Posts: 4,516
I have to say, I have come to really appreciate when I flights arrive/depart T2 instead of T4 at JFK, as crazy as that sounds. T4 is obviously much nicer, the SkyClub is great with the nice SkyDeck to boot. But T2 is so *easy*. Other than the drawback to having to cross the street outside to/from the AirTrain, the Pre-Check line is always short at T2 and you are never more than a 2 minute walk from your gate. Plus the refurbished T2 SkyClub is quite nice, if not T4 nice.
#105
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Virginia
Posts: 110
Pros:
-Largest market share from my home airport
-Mainline aircraft going to ATL (vs. regional jets to CLT on AA, and some regionals to UA hubs). UA sometimes routes me through EWR...no thanks!
-I like ATL much better than CLT or IAD. Running from one end to the other of CLT in foot is no fun. IAD isn't the worst airport, but has its downsides (shabby overall, mobile lounges).
-As mentioned by other posters, they seem to be run the best in terms of professional crews, schedule integrity, cleaner/nicer gate areas than the other airlines, etc.
Cons:
-This spring and summer the storms around ATL have been bad when I happen to have been flying. Not Delta's fault, but still can be a downside when other hubs have had fewer storms. In winter, ATL is a positive.
-Reward program isn't as good as the others.
-Largest market share from my home airport
-Mainline aircraft going to ATL (vs. regional jets to CLT on AA, and some regionals to UA hubs). UA sometimes routes me through EWR...no thanks!
-I like ATL much better than CLT or IAD. Running from one end to the other of CLT in foot is no fun. IAD isn't the worst airport, but has its downsides (shabby overall, mobile lounges).
-As mentioned by other posters, they seem to be run the best in terms of professional crews, schedule integrity, cleaner/nicer gate areas than the other airlines, etc.
Cons:
-This spring and summer the storms around ATL have been bad when I happen to have been flying. Not Delta's fault, but still can be a downside when other hubs have had fewer storms. In winter, ATL is a positive.
-Reward program isn't as good as the others.
Last edited by STVA; Aug 20, 2017 at 12:03 pm