DL SEA <-> KIX Cancelled after Nov
Feb 6, 2019, 9:17 pm
#76
Join Date: Feb 2018
Programs: Delta Skymiles, Southwest Rapid Rewards
Posts: 13
I'd blame them for even trying to be honest.
Delta needs to decide what they want to do with TPAC. If their strategy is to wait out the capacity glut / bloodbath then they should just do it - stop trying new weird secondary routes that likely won't be successful (e.g. SEA-KIX). The alternative (i.e., the United approach) is to actually invest in meaningful TPAC service and run losses in hope that they can retain market share when the glut subsides. Delta does not seem willing to do that (which is totally justifiable).
Delta is of course challenged by their lack of real TPAC hub (too much competition in LAX and not enough high value O/D relative to, e.g., SFO) which is why they made SEA. Unfortunately SEA is not exactly the best geographic location for a TPAC hub and Delta will always be playing second-fiddle to United on the west coast.
If Detroit wasn't dying, it would almost make more sense for Delta to try to re-invigorate DTW as a TPAC hub, but I don't see that happening with the current economic environment there.
Delta needs to decide what they want to do with TPAC. If their strategy is to wait out the capacity glut / bloodbath then they should just do it - stop trying new weird secondary routes that likely won't be successful (e.g. SEA-KIX). The alternative (i.e., the United approach) is to actually invest in meaningful TPAC service and run losses in hope that they can retain market share when the glut subsides. Delta does not seem willing to do that (which is totally justifiable).
Delta is of course challenged by their lack of real TPAC hub (too much competition in LAX and not enough high value O/D relative to, e.g., SFO) which is why they made SEA. Unfortunately SEA is not exactly the best geographic location for a TPAC hub and Delta will always be playing second-fiddle to United on the west coast.
If Detroit wasn't dying, it would almost make more sense for Delta to try to re-invigorate DTW as a TPAC hub, but I don't see that happening with the current economic environment there.
Feb 6, 2019, 9:23 pm
#77
Suspended
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Orlando, FL Area
Programs: Delta SkySponge ExtraAbsorbent, SPG Gold
Posts: 29,988
I'm not wanting to inject politics into this but Detroit was saved by pure luck. If GM and Chrysler bottom out under this administration or another GOP adminstration in the future then they are done for. The taxpayers won't bail them out again. But even DC wasn't able to save Detroit from bankruptcy.
Feb 7, 2019, 11:18 am
#78
Join Date: Feb 2017
Programs: DL DM, UA Gold, Alaska MVP, Bonvoy (lol) Ambassador
Posts: 2,994
Did you read my follow-up on this? Detroit is, at best, stagnating. Population continues to decline and per capita GDP lags the rest of the country (both in static value as well as growth rate). These are facts. Detroit is not unique - most midwestern cities face the same challenges.
Mar 4, 2020, 4:42 pm
#79
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: SEA, NW/DL 1.6Million Miler
Programs: DL 1MM Annual Silver,AS 100K 22-24, AS 75K 15-21
Posts: 4,278
Seem gone again for 2020
Aha, finally... here’s something relatively authoritative - in this news dispatch from Delta’s VP of Seattle, the Osaka flight is advertised as “seasonal”. This wasn’t true in the original press release, for sure, but it seems like a good indication that they currently intend to bring it back for 2020:
Delta Air Lines - Tony's Regional Update - SEA - Winter 2019 ? Page 5
Delta Air Lines - Tony's Regional Update - SEA - Winter 2019 ? Page 5
Jiburi
Last edited by jiburi; Mar 4, 2020 at 4:52 pm
Mar 4, 2020, 5:21 pm
#80
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2013
Programs: DL PM, MR Titanium/LTP, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 10,130
Will be curious if it comes back at all.
https://news.delta.com/delta-reduces...e-due-covid-19