Delta vs. B6
Sep 30, 2019 | 12:08 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2018
Programs: UA, TrueBlue, SkyMiles, HH SM, Marriott Silver, Amtrak Guest Rewards
Posts: 232
Delta vs. B6
If you are a lowest tier member status with both TrueBlue and SkyMiles and have a choice b/w B6 and Delta at the same exact price from BOS to ORD, which would you pick and why?
Sep 30, 2019 | 12:47 pm
#2
Join Date: Aug 2004
Programs: SPG Lifetime Platinum, Hyatt Diamond, JetBlue Mosaic, AA Platinum, National Executive Elite
Posts: 635
For the exact price? I'd pick B6, for two reasons: free wifi & the E190s on that route are the most spacious Y seat in the USA (and no middle seats). Neither airline has 'hubs' in ORD, but as a lowest-tier member, that would probably hurt more than help you anyway.
Sep 30, 2019 | 12:55 pm
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2018
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Thanks. Could you clarify what you mean by a hub would actually hurt?
Sep 30, 2019 | 1:17 pm
#4
Join Date: Feb 2014
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Posts: 92
I'd definitely go with B6. Not only does B6 has the most spacious coach seat than any other airline, the fare for delta is probably a basic economy fare which restricts you in every way possible, including not allowing you to choose your own seat, while JetBlue does not have basic economy. The same amount you pay B6 you get standard economy benefit
Sep 30, 2019 | 1:49 pm
#5
Join Date: Aug 2004
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Posts: 635
Sure. Since weather is bound to cause cancellations & delays (esp. in the winter) in ORD, if it were a hub for either airline it would help elite flyers, as they'd get priority on rebooking. Since neither B6 or DL has a hub in ORD, no real difference there--and the benefit of it not being a hub is that you (hopefully) won't have extremely long check-ins & rebooking at ORD gates, too.
Also, dpy makes a good point about Jetblue standard econ ticket vs. delta basic economy. So if you're comparing those two tickets, B6 also wins because you can select a seat & won't automatically be in the last boarding group.
Also, dpy makes a good point about Jetblue standard econ ticket vs. delta basic economy. So if you're comparing those two tickets, B6 also wins because you can select a seat & won't automatically be in the last boarding group.
Sep 30, 2019 | 7:49 pm
#6
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Join Date: Dec 2018
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Thx for the responses so far. If a flight is two weeks out and you notice only a half-booked flight, would you expect prices to go down in the coming days?
Oct 1, 2019 | 7:16 am
#7
Join Date: Jun 2019
Location: PDX
Programs: DL Platinum, Bonvoy Gold, HH Gold, National Executive, Hertz Presidents Circle
Posts: 136
I would 100% pick DL. Even though it is DL Connection I find they are still more reliable than B6, they have better customer service than B6, and B6 is terrible in IRROPS when DL is not.
Oct 1, 2019 | 8:08 am
#8
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Miami, FL, USA
Posts: 4,104
They are BOTH terrible in IRROPS. And since (as mentioned above) it's not a hub for DL, their options are limited anyway during IRROPS. However, BOS is a hub (focus city?) for B6, so they would probably perform better in case of mechanical outbound. I would base it on comfort, unless you are trying to gain status on one or the other.
Oct 1, 2019 | 8:16 am
#9
Join Date: Jun 2019
Location: PDX
Programs: DL Platinum, Bonvoy Gold, HH Gold, National Executive, Hertz Presidents Circle
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They are BOTH terrible in IRROPS. And since (as mentioned above) it's not a hub for DL, their options are limited anyway during IRROPS. However, BOS is a hub (focus city?) for B6, so they would probably perform better in case of mechanical outbound. I would base it on comfort, unless you are trying to gain status on one or the other.
Oct 1, 2019 | 8:40 am
#10
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Miami, FL, USA
Posts: 4,104
I have only had wonderful experiences during IRROPS with DL, as they always give you the option to choose another flight for free on the app and they automatically rebook and take care of their medallion members. Also, DL has a much larger operation in ORD going to 10 cities with multiple flights a day while B6 goes to 3 cities. SO, if IRROPS were to occur, it would be easier to get out on DL vs. B6. Also, BOS is also a hub for DL as well, so they do perform very well in that city. Personally, I'd rather get to my destination on time and have 1 inch less of legroom.
Oct 1, 2019 | 9:53 am
#11
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: BOS
Programs: Marriott LTG
Posts: 3,583
I have only had wonderful experiences during IRROPS with DL, as they always give you the option to choose another flight for free on the app and they automatically rebook and take care of their medallion members. Also, DL has a much larger operation in ORD going to 10 cities with multiple flights a day while B6 goes to 3 cities. SO, if IRROPS were to occur, it would be easier to get out on DL vs. B6. Also, BOS is also a hub for DL as well, so they do perform very well in that city. Personally, I'd rather get to my destination on time and have 1 inch less of legroom.
Coming from ORD specifically, though, the fact that DL has a ton of flights to nearby DTW and MSP every day does give them more 1-stop options to get you home.
Both DL and B6 are usually pretty slow to cancel flights, which I think gives them both an advantage over AA or UA in many cases.
Oct 1, 2019 | 10:11 am
#12
FlyerTalk Evangelist
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JetBlue will have the better onboard experience (legroom, free wifi).
Delta is more likely to be on time. Also, Coca-Cola beverages.
Are you trying to get elite status with either carrier?
-J.
Delta is more likely to be on time. Also, Coca-Cola beverages.
Are you trying to get elite status with either carrier?
-J.
Oct 2, 2019 | 5:59 am
#13
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Cape Cod
Programs: Free agent
Posts: 1,535
I fit both of these requirements now so personally I'd pick B6 because I want to stack more points for the TATL rollout that's coming. DL points are near valueless for my travel at the moment. I'd consider the hard products mostly even with B6 having an edge in faster free wifi as GW mentioned.
If I was traveling for business with hard time requirements I'd probably choose DL.
As to the second posted question, prices are variable but at T-14 I'd book it. Very unlikely to decrease as airlines expect last minute business travellers to suck up the higher priced tickets.
If I was traveling for business with hard time requirements I'd probably choose DL.
As to the second posted question, prices are variable but at T-14 I'd book it. Very unlikely to decrease as airlines expect last minute business travellers to suck up the higher priced tickets.
Oct 2, 2019 | 8:51 am
#14
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: DCA
Posts: 480
I'd go with Delta. You're far more likely to be on time and far less likely to get screwed in the event of IRROPS. Also Biscoff > mini mustache chocolate chip cookies. I've had too many bad experiences getting screwed by B6 in IRROPS and too many good experiences with Delta to choose B6 over DL when price is in the same ballpark.
Oct 2, 2019 | 8:54 am
#15
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I'd go with Delta. You're far more likely to be on time and far less likely to get screwed in the event of IRROPS. Also Biscoff > mini mustache chocolate chip cookies. I've had too many bad experiences getting screwed by B6 in IRROPS and too many good experiences with Delta to choose B6 over DL when price is in the same ballpark.
Personally on JetBlue, however, I go for the Cheez-Its.
-J.