This assertion is absurd.

The only thing I've seen airlines keep over the years, is fees which added to their bottom line (fuel surcharges/baggage etc). They make zero profit on masks and were handing them out freely to people who didn't have any, so I seriously doubt Delta is looking to make a added cost a permanent thing. What they are looking to do is reduce transmission for their customers as well as employees; after all, they need both healthy to stay in business.

This is a completely absurd statement.

I'm not sure why you say that. Delta obviously thinks they can demand a revenue premium by playing tough with masks and middle seats. If that works then why wouldn't they continue it from now on? They can claim their passengers will be less likely to catch a cold, flu, etc on their flights and that the higher price and mandatory masks is worth it.

Please provide some evidence that Delta is "demanding a revenue premium." They are requiring customers to wear masks (along with limiting capacity to 60%, etc.) so people don't get sick and die, not so they can pad their profits.

I applaud Delta for taking the lead on this and while I'm avoiding flying right now if I do have to fly I absolutely will be flying Delta because they seem to be doing the best job of all the airlines in limiting risk to passengers. Specifically because they've removed people such as yourself from their passenger lists.

DL obviously thinks that they can protect their employees and their passengers and help limit the spread of the virus. Period.

They have done no such thing to me. Are you familiar with libel laws? You might get away with such statements on an online message board but I'd take caution when talking to someone and making such statements.

Lol. Sure thing bud.

I hope all airlines follow Delta's lead.

Finally a voice of reason in the madness.

I don't think Delta expects a premium, and really they don't have a choice. A mixture of irrational fear and paralyzing groupthink has pretty much forced the airlines to do this. All of the airlines are probably headed to bankruptcy court sooner rather than later...there's just no way they can survive in this current environment. The sooner they get reorganized the better because then the long-term cost structure of flying will be apparent and might bring back some rationality to the overall situation.

Yea it’s kinda difficult to reply to a thread that’s locked.

Why would DL or other airlines that compete via offering a more premium product (relative to industry standards) keep in place a requirement that limits their ability to either market their product as more premium or their ability to sell items for revenue? FC bookings are almost certainly way down resulting in less revenue because the advantages of a First/Business product are greatly reduced right now. Even the wider seat isn’t a benefit because a blocked middle seat or blocked aisle seat yields more room than what you can take advantage of in a seat with fixed armrests in FC.

if you had performed one ounce of research before posting i.e. mask vs food/drink, most likely this post wouldn't need to have been started...but we love to debate...carryon

Guessing the possibility of a Direct Threat would protect Delta from ADA lawsuits.