flyerCO

I thought it was still owed, but for OPUPs DL paid it and nonrevs had to pay it to fly in D1. Of course the rules have changed over the years, so no way tp be certain.

TTT

The Twitter desk still has no idea what's going on with TATL segments. The standard "C+ is completely booked" response is all I am getting.

3Cforme

If Delta calls Comfort+ a separate cabin of service it must collect more APD.

A 'reduced rate' is in effect for the lowest cabin of service. The 'standard' rate applies to other cabins.

https://www.gov.uk/government/public...passenger-duty

dilbertsdaddy

If they are going to do it they need to honor all previous free seat assignments (like the OP) and update the policy

bretthexum

I just checked a ATL-MAD trip for next month and it shows just a main cabin in the seat map (although its still a C+ seat). What a mess

C W

How can any benefits of separate faring outweigh the huge APD that basically comes right out of the premium DL can charge? Now Ł75, Ł78 in April.

MSPeconomist

Better inventory control versus giving the C+ seats for free to the first elites who purchase tickets for the flight? Also better revenue management, with the "upcharge" implicitly depending on the purchased fare class, compared to the current fixed seat reservation fee system.

C W

Yes, but how much of a revenue premium can Delta really charge? Then deduct ~$100 from that for each seat. Seems to eat a lot of the revenue.

Regardless, with the inability to upgrade right now, people getting booted from their seats, and no communication or announcement from Delta, this is shameful way to roll out this change, @SkyMilesTeam

MSPeconomist

I'm wondering what the applicable regulations (DOT and EC261) say about disclosing the tax (as part of the price?) when selling "upgrades". Maybe DL doesn't need to include London's APD in the upgrade fee, just like airlines could once advertise on the basis of fare only rather than total price including fuel surcharges, taxes, and other fees.

I can recall two cases where I got instrument supported TATL D1 upgrades from LHR and CDG at the time of ticket purchase but no additional tax payment was mentioned until I called to question why my ticket hadn't yet been reissued with the confirmed upgrade.

jak456

what a mess indeed.

I had a paid C+ reservation CDG-CVG-CDG. was downgraded to main cabin.

I called Delta and the fist line of response was that there was an equipment change and that all C+ is full. this is notably for a end Feb/early March trip ! I tried a dummy booking and not a SINGLE C+ seat is actually booked on these flights. I declined the offer of a refund and asked for a supervisor.

The supervisor promised me to fix the issue and call/email back, we will see what happens next ...

With the change of selling C+ as a separate cabin comes a significant up-charge vs previous C+ paid upgrades (looking at my booking it is about a 2x). I think the current approach of refunding and having people rebook can be seen as a way of cashing in on this even for "legacy" bookings [if one was a cynical kind of person ...]

MSPeconomist

It also seems like a way of booting elites from C+ seats that they booked for free in favor of selling them to others.

For TATL flights exEU, it could be interesting if people pursue the mandated EC261 75% downgrade compensation on the basis of a C+ reservation at the time of ticketing. AFAIK this applies even if the involuntary downgrade is done in advance, but people might want to consult the advice in some of the European carrier fora, especially the extensive and well informed discussion in the BA forum.

IndyDave

I had the exact conversation with a supervisor on Saturday with the "equipment change" reason. I was also promised a call back today. So far crickets.

TTT

Per usual, Delta has failed to communicate changes like this to both their customers and their frontline employees.

3Cforme

Delta does serve European destinations where departures don't call for UK APD. It would represent the majority of Delta's TATL passengers, actually.

MSPeconomist

Still, the routes with APD (or similar taxes/fees) are a significant fraction of DL's TATL traffic. In fact, most DL passengers on the LHR routes would be originating there rather than connecting (like CDG and AMS) since VS doesn't offer many connecting flights and KLM/AF (and AZ, RIP, etc.) connections would be pretty much limited to their hubs, which would just needlessly add a connection.