Why is Delta so weak to Asia?
Feb 6, 2023, 9:23 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2022
Posts: 184
Is DL tapped out to Asia?
Don’t think the China situation is going to smooth over anytime soon and with barebone service to PEK & PVG, is DL stuck with just HND & ICN now that they dropped NGO?
Miss the days of flying DL NRT to BKK or SIN. Would DL
be able to make a route like SEA-SIN on an A350 work?
SEA-TPE on an A339 possibly?
Miss the days of flying DL NRT to BKK or SIN. Would DL
be able to make a route like SEA-SIN on an A350 work?
SEA-TPE on an A339 possibly?
Feb 6, 2023, 9:42 pm
#2
Join Date: Nov 2018
Programs: DL PM
Posts: 254
I thought that was their strategy anyways once they entered the KE JV, regardless of the covid situations the past few years. We were gonna end up through ICN for 99.999982% of East/SE Asia, just as I end up in AMS/CDG for 99.999934% of my TATL trips.
CMIIW, of course.
CMIIW, of course.
Feb 6, 2023, 9:55 pm
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2022
Posts: 184
The KE JV is probably how DL sees their Asia strategy for now.
I may be wrong but I thought I read (pre-COVID) that DL worked overtime to get KE on board with the JV and that it took a lot of convincing KE as DL was set to benefit way more than KE was. My understanding is DL wanted access to KE’s extensive Chinese network/routes.
DL has added service to ICN from MSP and alleges they’re adding PDX-ICN. Correct me if I’m wrong but the only new route I can recall KE has started in the last decade to the US is BOS and I believe they started BOS before the JV with DL went into effect and before DL officially called BOS a hub.
I may be wrong but I thought I read (pre-COVID) that DL worked overtime to get KE on board with the JV and that it took a lot of convincing KE as DL was set to benefit way more than KE was. My understanding is DL wanted access to KE’s extensive Chinese network/routes.
DL has added service to ICN from MSP and alleges they’re adding PDX-ICN. Correct me if I’m wrong but the only new route I can recall KE has started in the last decade to the US is BOS and I believe they started BOS before the JV with DL went into effect and before DL officially called BOS a hub.
Feb 6, 2023, 10:16 pm
#4
Join Date: May 2009
Location: SEA
Programs: AS MVPG, DL FO, Marriott Gold, Hertz 5 Whatevers
Posts: 1,099
I remember reading that DL closed the stations @ TPE and SIN so no staff there anymore. I can't imagine that they are planning SEA-SIN/TPE anytime soon. SEA-SIN almost certainly won't happen - SQ already operates a nonstop and they have a partnership with AS. SEA-TPE would be nice though. AFAIK China Airlines (CI) has a pretty significant morning connection bank @ TPE so departures to TPE work best as redeyes, which I prefer. (Most of CI's existing US and Canada departures are redeyes going to TPE) I'd imagine there's enough local demand for SEA-TPE, because pre-covid I think Eva (BR) had 2 daily departures during peak-season travel.
Too bad DL treats CI as a bottom-tier partner (literally). It'd be nice if DL was closer to CI (even if it's not as close as they are to KE) - it would help with connectivity to Asia.
Too bad DL treats CI as a bottom-tier partner (literally). It'd be nice if DL was closer to CI (even if it's not as close as they are to KE) - it would help with connectivity to Asia.
Last edited by ab2013; Feb 6, 2023 at 10:25 pm
Feb 6, 2023, 10:17 pm
#5
Join Date: Aug 2012
Programs: National Executive Elite, Avis Chairmans Club, Hertz Presidents Circle
Posts: 328
Being a call center manager with frequent trips to Philippines I'd love for them to add LAX-MNL SEA-MN. Or even ICN-MNL on the 339 like they'd planned before COVID would be great.
Feb 7, 2023, 2:19 am
#8
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
The KE JV is probably how DL sees their Asia strategy for now.
I may be wrong but I thought I read (pre-COVID) that DL worked overtime to get KE on board with the JV and that it took a lot of convincing KE as DL was set to benefit way more than KE was. My understanding is DL wanted access to KE’s extensive Chinese network/routes.
DL has added service to ICN from MSP and alleges they’re adding PDX-ICN. Correct me if I’m wrong but the only new route I can recall KE has started in the last decade to the US is BOS and I believe they started BOS before the JV with DL went into effect and before DL officially called BOS a hub.
I may be wrong but I thought I read (pre-COVID) that DL worked overtime to get KE on board with the JV and that it took a lot of convincing KE as DL was set to benefit way more than KE was. My understanding is DL wanted access to KE’s extensive Chinese network/routes.
DL has added service to ICN from MSP and alleges they’re adding PDX-ICN. Correct me if I’m wrong but the only new route I can recall KE has started in the last decade to the US is BOS and I believe they started BOS before the JV with DL went into effect and before DL officially called BOS a hub.
Originally Posted by BAS, E
China is outside of the joint venture because we do not have open skies with China," Bastian says. "This will have no impact on the flying we do into China.
Last edited by flyerCO; Feb 7, 2023 at 2:35 am
Feb 7, 2023, 2:20 am
#9
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Haining (1 hr from Shanghai) China
Programs: DL DM, AA Lifetime Plat, IHG SE
Posts: 1,466
KL means full miles and MQM, Vietnam Airlines can be full, or 50% or 25%. But be careful with Premium Select : Vietnam Airlines often offers a PS, very similar to DL's, but even with DL codeshare G class ticket on the HAN-ICN leg, I was still in economy. Finally found out the underlying class was normal economy. KL doesn't offer PS so always will be economy.
Feb 7, 2023, 6:24 am
#10
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 23,056
I've flown and looked at US to Hanoi a lot lately -- Haneda has the Vietnam Airlines option, and ICN will often have both KAL and Vietnam Airlines options. Might depend on transit times --I'm mostly looking to fly out of SEA.
KL means full miles and MQM, Vietnam Airlines can be full, or 50% or 25%. But be careful with Premium Select : Vietnam Airlines often offers a PS, very similar to DL's, but even with DL codeshare G class ticket on the HAN-ICN leg, I was still in economy. Finally found out the underlying class was normal economy. KL doesn't offer PS so always will be economy.
KL means full miles and MQM, Vietnam Airlines can be full, or 50% or 25%. But be careful with Premium Select : Vietnam Airlines often offers a PS, very similar to DL's, but even with DL codeshare G class ticket on the HAN-ICN leg, I was still in economy. Finally found out the underlying class was normal economy. KL doesn't offer PS so always will be economy.
Last edited by xliioper; Feb 7, 2023 at 7:13 am
Feb 7, 2023, 6:27 am
#11
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KL has equipment with PE cabins now. DL P/A/G fares will put you into that cabin and booking class will be P/A/G on equipment that has it. It is fairly typical for equipment without PE cabins to have a coach booking class when booked as part of a PS fare. The same can happen with FC and D1 fares on equipment that doesn't have a separate cabin up front. Yes, they will earn at reduced coach rates.
Feb 7, 2023, 6:32 am
#12
Join Date: Feb 2007
Programs: Delta DM, Hyatt Globalist, AA Plat
Posts: 236
I wonder why it's so difficult to find CI availability on Delta marketed flights now? Just about everything I see is KE flights routed thru ICN. Not very efficient when CI has non-stops from JFK to TPE.
Feb 7, 2023, 6:37 am
#13
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This has always been an issue. You have to call in and have agent piecemeal together. Even then, agent will initially quote wrong price.
Feb 7, 2023, 7:24 am
#14
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Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 23,056
You won't find any decent redemptions out of US/Canada on CI metal anyway as their award levels to Asia have been harmonized with DL award levels just like KE metal awards. You'll need to begin/end journey outside of US/Canada for lower award levels. Award levels from US/Canada to/from Asia are also variable based on individual route (rather than being region based) due to harmonization. There are also different rates available for roundtrip vs. one-way bookings (as long as you meet advance purchase and min stay requirements for cheaper roundtrip award levels).
Feb 7, 2023, 8:58 am
#15
Join Date: Feb 2007
Programs: Delta DM, Hyatt Globalist, AA Plat
Posts: 236
You won't find any decent redemptions out of US/Canada on CI metal anyway as their award levels to Asia have been harmonized with DL award levels just like KE metal awards. You'll need to begin/end journey outside of US/Canada for lower award levels. Award levels from US/Canada to/from Asia are also variable based on individual route (rather than being region based) due to harmonization. There are also different rates available for roundtrip vs. one-way bookings (as long as you meet advance purchase and min stay requirements for cheaper roundtrip award levels).
almost impossible to find DL marketed cash/price inventory flights on non-stop JFK/TPE on CI.