FlyBitcoin

Strange that DL just changed ATL-NRT to the A350 beginning this September while concentrating the TPAC 777's at LAX.

Mountain Explorer

They'll likely have 2 777s out of service starting in Sept for mods. A350 needs to fill in temporarily

FireEmblemPride

Overall great news for DL.

LAX-HND is going to become a bloodbath. Both UA and AA getting its slot requests means that we could hit as many as 11 daily LAX-TYO flights if JL adds LAX-HND, keeps LAX-NRT (both which are very likely) and AA moves its NRT service over (very likely). Fares are already pretty low on this route (much lower than SFO) as well. My guess is SQ will eventually leave the market in favor of its direct SIN flights (or maybe change to via HKG); I'm not sure UA will keep its LAX-NRT around either; perhaps they replace it with a second SFO-NRT instead down the line.

If NH decides to add a daytime LAX-HND while keeping its two NRT services (which are oriented towards connecting pax), then let the good times roll.

ab2013

deleted

SFTNYC

I know the trend has been to smaller business cabins on DL lately but does anyone think it's unusual that PDX gets the aircraft with the most business class seats? Is there more premium demand there than the others (granted any of the other types, aside from a low-J 767 adds a ton of economy seats too)...

jamiestr

The big customer keeping PDX-TYO alive is Nike and they probably have enough front cabin demand to justify so many seats.

FlyBitcoin

ATL-NRT is remaining A350 until March 29, 2020 when it becomes a 77L curiously.
I imagine that will change when they load in the JFK-BOM flights that start late 2019.

joejones

JAL will still have a lot of US flights out of NRT; there aren't enough HND slots available for them to transition their entire operation. Also don't forget KE's NRT-HNL route.

ab2013

RealHJ

Which awarded slots will DL be the first to abandon?

As https://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/2019/0...a-flight-slot/ rightly points out,

After two years, how many of the five slots will DL still operate and how many DoT will end up taking away and given to other more reliable airlines (who actually use the slots awarded)?

Longboater

Easy answer in all caps. NONE. ZIP. ZILCH. ZERO. Unless the Japanese economy enters a severe recession, all are staying. Why? First of all, no nighttime slots. The nighttime flights primarily killed the first iterations of DTW/SEA-HND. Coupled that with continued service to NRT from those cities, they never had much of a chance. Two, a year from now, Delta will have exited NRT completely, including abandoning the two Sky Clubs on the property and NRT-MNL/SIN ending. With NRT ending, if Delta were to give up a HND slot, it would mean the end of service to Tokyo and in Delta's case, several cities only Tokyo access. Think Delta will end a nonstop flight to Tokyo from ATL/DTW? The Lions will win the Super Bowl before that happens. Maybe MSP-HND? Really, Delta has had nonstop service from MSP to TYO for decades. Ending MSP-HND, ends service to Tokyo with close to zero chance of a ANA/JAL setting up shot. Downgauge to A330-200 in the future? Possible, but unlikely as the A330-200s will stay mostly TATL as the 767-300ERs begin to disappear. If downgauge, most likely an A330-900neo. Delta has repeatedly stated since the start of MSP-HND, which coincided with the end of MSP-NRT and already dwindling onward connections, the financial performance has improved. And no, if downgauge goes to an A330-900neo in the future, say 2020 or 2021, I believe its beyond the deadline where AA can file protest and demand a second DFW-HND flight. So no, MSP-HND isn't going anywhere. Really think Delta, who combined with Northwest Orient, has been flying LAX-TWO for almost four decades will pack up and leave? And don't give me the JFK-NRT comparison. The only somewhat remotely successful Delta HND nighttime flight they could make work alongside flying a daytime LAX-NRT flight was LAX-HND. Now since its daytime and no LAX-NRT flight, Delta is in to stay. Delta will exit the LAX-PVG bloodbath before exiting LAX-HND. Delta couldn't make SEA-HND initially work due to nighttime hours. This time, no nighttime hours and it will be the single Delta flight from SEA to TYO, flying their brand new A330-900neo, which was designed for a route such as this. Really think Delta will just roll over in SEA and give up TYO market at one of their hubs to ANA/JAL and have the Japanese carriers establish a duopoly with no US3 metal competition? Again, this isn't NYC-TYO, where UAL will shortly begin EWR-HND. Delta has sole market share of the biggest international O&D route for PDX, TYO. Delta wanted PDX-HND as they had no desire to keep NRT open just to have a nonstop flight from PDX to TYO. Also, they don't want either ANA or JAL to swoop in. With the award, this all but guarantees Delta for the long term will have a monopoly on PDX-TYO. I firmly believe they will eventually start PDX-ICN with an A330-200, but this will be for PDX-Seoul/Asia rather than just TYO. Lastly, HNL. Delta wanted HNL-HND as they still, despite many contrary opinions, are stubbornly committed to making HNL-Japan work. Assuming HAL/JAL JV goes ahead, Skyteam would be left with just KAL flying HNL-NRT on HNL-TYO. Of course Delta was going to awarded a HND slot if they applied for HNL-HND as HAL already has 11 times weekly flights and will soon go to 18 times weekly.

This is nothing more than just a smear against Delta for the hometown airline as HAL essentially wanted to offer more capacity on HNL-TYO than Delta/NW ever did.

KDCAflyer

WillBarrett_68

There are 40 million people in the tokyo metro area.

flyerCO

Just don't see it happening. If anything maybe they'll push for a Skyteam lounge. Regardless something will need to be done to give all STE+ flying DL a lounge.

WillBarrett_68

I don't see it happening either. DL has historically done everything it can to avoid operating clubs overseas. NRT was a necessity because of the hub. As an O/D outstation, there's much less need for it (in DL's opinion, obviously).

DL has leaned heavily on partners for overseas lounges. Seems like they would try to lean on KE here.