Delta to add Seattle-Osaka, Drops SEA-HKG
May 23, 2019, 5:58 am
#377
Join Date: Jul 2012
Programs: Delta
Posts: 7
If all the good people reading this who want direct to HKG on Delta planes would write a letter maybe Mr. Bastian will build a "better airline", not just a "bigger airline". You can't be world class and not fly to HKG!!!! Connections on other airlines don't count.
May 23, 2019, 9:18 am
#378
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: San Antonio
Programs: DL DM, Former AA EXP now AY Plat, AC 75K, NW Plat, Former CO Gold, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 27,042
No if people were willing to pay DL would be willing to fly to HKG. Problem is that right now that's not the case.
May 23, 2019, 9:58 am
#379
Join Date: Dec 2018
Location: PHX
Programs: Delta DM, Marriott Lifetime Titanium, HHonrs Diamond
Posts: 1,336
Do you want "your" airline to declare bankruptcy every 10-15 years?
Ed and the management are doing everything they can to prevent that, and keep a consistent, market-leading product for our lifetimes.
This is the definition of a better airline.
AA has 100 more planes and carries more passengers than DL.
UA has more employees than DL.
Yet DL has a higher market cap, total asset value and is more profitable than both.
So losing $20 million a year on SEA-HKG doesn't fit that. I got that figure from another board, but if true, it would be erased by charging $109 more per seat each way (assuming 500 seats round trip daily). Most TPAC markets cannot bear that right now but TATL markets and TATL to Africa can. So DL expands there.
And yes, I wish they fley to HKG too. Guess my next trip will incorporate a weekend in London before continuing on VS.
Ed and the management are doing everything they can to prevent that, and keep a consistent, market-leading product for our lifetimes.
This is the definition of a better airline.
AA has 100 more planes and carries more passengers than DL.
UA has more employees than DL.
Yet DL has a higher market cap, total asset value and is more profitable than both.
So losing $20 million a year on SEA-HKG doesn't fit that. I got that figure from another board, but if true, it would be erased by charging $109 more per seat each way (assuming 500 seats round trip daily). Most TPAC markets cannot bear that right now but TATL markets and TATL to Africa can. So DL expands there.
And yes, I wish they fley to HKG too. Guess my next trip will incorporate a weekend in London before continuing on VS.
Last edited by FlyBitcoin; May 23, 2019 at 10:03 am
May 23, 2019, 10:20 am
#380
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: RDU
Programs: DL(PM), UA(Silver), AA(EXP) Marriott(Ti), HH(Gold), Hertz(PC)
Posts: 2,669
May 23, 2019, 10:29 am
#381
Join Date: Dec 2018
Location: PHX
Programs: Delta DM, Marriott Lifetime Titanium, HHonrs Diamond
Posts: 1,336
Take KE back and make it a "round the world" trip.
That being said, I think DL returns to HKG when they are pretty sure they can at least break even on the route for a few years.
May 23, 2019, 10:39 am
#382
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Minneapolis: DL DM charter 2.3MM
Programs: A3*Gold, SPG Plat, HyattDiamond, MarriottPP, LHW exAccess, ICI, Raffles Amb, NW PE MM, TWA Gold MM
Posts: 100,413
May 23, 2019, 11:44 am
#383
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: RDU
Programs: DL(PM), UA(Silver), AA(EXP) Marriott(Ti), HH(Gold), Hertz(PC)
Posts: 2,669
I was at the KE lounge in ICN T2 (both east and west) this past November. I found them functional and not horrid (to be fair, on the return to the US I was there in the evening and it was full, though not crowded... wait for the shower wasn't bad, about 15-20 minutes I think) but I realize this is all very subjective. The food choices were OK, nothing spectacular. I don't drink alcohol so I can't opine on the wine/beer/liquor offerings.
May 23, 2019, 12:50 pm
#385
Join Date: Apr 2016
Posts: 1,885
I think the only aspect I recall the KE lounges at ICN being better than the skyclub at NRT was that they had a relatively expensive scotch or cognac (I have forgotten which in the two years since my last trip). Comfort of seating, food options, other wine/beer/liquor options, and cleanliness (especially of the restrooms at the KE lounge) left a lot to be desired. Is it better than sitting in the terminal, yes, but every DL skyclub I have been to has been better than the KE lounges (and that is not saying much considering the mediocre (but fine for the location) skyclubs at some of the smaller airports.
NRT is clean, comfortable, has good views, great employees and a good variety of good food options.
May 23, 2019, 3:07 pm
#386
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: RDU
Programs: DL(PM), UA(Silver), AA(EXP) Marriott(Ti), HH(Gold), Hertz(PC)
Posts: 2,669
In what aspect?
I think the only aspect I recall the KE lounges at ICN being better than the skyclub at NRT was that they had a relatively expensive scotch or cognac (I have forgotten which in the two years since my last trip). Comfort of seating, food options, other wine/beer/liquor options, and cleanliness (especially of the restrooms at the KE lounge) left a lot to be desired. Is it better than sitting in the terminal, yes, but every DL skyclub I have been to has been better than the KE lounges (and that is not saying much considering the mediocre (but fine for the location) skyclubs at some of the smaller airports.
NRT is clean, comfortable, has good views, great employees and a good variety of good food options.
I think the only aspect I recall the KE lounges at ICN being better than the skyclub at NRT was that they had a relatively expensive scotch or cognac (I have forgotten which in the two years since my last trip). Comfort of seating, food options, other wine/beer/liquor options, and cleanliness (especially of the restrooms at the KE lounge) left a lot to be desired. Is it better than sitting in the terminal, yes, but every DL skyclub I have been to has been better than the KE lounges (and that is not saying much considering the mediocre (but fine for the location) skyclubs at some of the smaller airports.
NRT is clean, comfortable, has good views, great employees and a good variety of good food options.
May 24, 2019, 2:36 am
#387
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Tokyo
Programs: DL Diamond, ANA Platinum
Posts: 1,532
In what aspect?
I think the only aspect I recall the KE lounges at ICN being better than the skyclub at NRT was that they had a relatively expensive scotch or cognac (I have forgotten which in the two years since my last trip). Comfort of seating, food options, other wine/beer/liquor options, and cleanliness (especially of the restrooms at the KE lounge) left a lot to be desired. Is it better than sitting in the terminal, yes, but every DL skyclub I have been to has been better than the KE lounges (and that is not saying much considering the mediocre (but fine for the location) skyclubs at some of the smaller airports.
NRT is clean, comfortable, has good views, great employees and a good variety of good food options.
I think the only aspect I recall the KE lounges at ICN being better than the skyclub at NRT was that they had a relatively expensive scotch or cognac (I have forgotten which in the two years since my last trip). Comfort of seating, food options, other wine/beer/liquor options, and cleanliness (especially of the restrooms at the KE lounge) left a lot to be desired. Is it better than sitting in the terminal, yes, but every DL skyclub I have been to has been better than the KE lounges (and that is not saying much considering the mediocre (but fine for the location) skyclubs at some of the smaller airports.
NRT is clean, comfortable, has good views, great employees and a good variety of good food options.
As someone based in TYO, I've never been impressed with the NRT SC, even before the newly remodeled US SCs like SFO, SEA and JFK popped up. It certainly pales in comparison to JAL and ANA's offerings. Therefore, even though Y fares don't get any lounge access at HND, I've always chosen it over NRT with maybe 3 or 4 exceptions in the last 8 years, and none during the last 3. The SC in NRT isn't worth it.
May 24, 2019, 3:31 pm
#388
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: ZOA, SFO, HKG
Programs: UA 1K 0.9MM, Marriott Gold, HHonors Gold, Hertz PC, SBux Gold, TSA Pre✓
Posts: 13,811
Seriously, when AA can get a piece of the pie from CX at LAX, I don't see why DL can't.
May 24, 2019, 4:17 pm
#389
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Seattle, WA
Programs: DL Diamond 1.7MM, Starlux Insighter, Bonvoy Titanium, Hilton Gold, Hertz PC
Posts: 3,947
??? AA and CX are alliance partners, and can sell onward connections including each other’s flights at either end of the trip. Delta has no partner in Hong Kong, so can only compete for local O&D traffic.
May 24, 2019, 4:19 pm
#390
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Seattle, WA
Programs: DL Diamond 1.7MM, Starlux Insighter, Bonvoy Titanium, Hilton Gold, Hertz PC
Posts: 3,947
The new lounges at T2 are more spacious, modern and offer food on par with the NRT SC (rice, soup, meats, cup noodles, snacks). Maybe you're referring to the T1 lounges, which are mediocre?
As someone based in TYO, I've never been impressed with the NRT SC, even before the newly remodeled US SCs like SFO, SEA and JFK popped up. It certainly pales in comparison to JAL and ANA's offerings. Therefore, even though Y fares don't get any lounge access at HND, I've always chosen it over NRT with maybe 3 or 4 exceptions in the last 8 years, and none during the last 3. The SC in NRT isn't worth it.
As someone based in TYO, I've never been impressed with the NRT SC, even before the newly remodeled US SCs like SFO, SEA and JFK popped up. It certainly pales in comparison to JAL and ANA's offerings. Therefore, even though Y fares don't get any lounge access at HND, I've always chosen it over NRT with maybe 3 or 4 exceptions in the last 8 years, and none during the last 3. The SC in NRT isn't worth it.