While some routes via DTW are being downsized or eliminated, two routes I frequent quite a bit DTW-LAS and DTW-MYR I have noticed in the fall and winter schedules more frequency.

DTW-LAS now includes 6 daily non stops (up from the 4 currently, and the usual 5 in the fall months). Included is a 7AM, 9AM, 12PM, 2PM, 5PM, and 7PM. On the return, for the first time that I can recall, there is now a 7AM departure back to DTW, the usual first return is the 11AM return of the 9AM inbound flight. Also showing 6 flights back to DTW.

DTW-MYR now includes 2 daily non stops (up from the 1 usual). Both are now scheduled as mainline as well. Usually in the fall and winter NWA goes to a CRJ for this route, and sometimes during xmas time goes to a CR9 or E75.

Why no WC access @ DTW? I am a WC member and they have a club in the B/C concourse there. I plan some CRJ "preparation" there! ;)

I think this is the first non-cut I've seen :)

DTW-BUF goes from 5 daily flights to 6 starting August 18th, but... the catch is, it's 6xCRJ, as opposed to 4xDC-9 and 1xCRJ. So, they're cutting capacity back.

550 to 300 seats (Loss of 250 seats) -- A reduction of 45% of capacity!
5 to 6 flights (Gain of 1 flight, but due to smaller aircraft they needed to increase)
4 of 5 planes with First Class before, 0 of 6 planes with First Class after (Loss of 5).
It appears that Buffalo may have lost its flight from Minneapolis starting August 18th.

Because you used get into the WorldClub with a first class intl ticket to YYZ, and it was an easy upgrade too...even as a silver... now of course, since everyone is first class (or is it best in class?), its the friendly confines of the B gates instead.

I am a member of the WorldClub, so I can still get in. :)

I agree. Going from a DC9 to CRJ is going from bad to worse.

The new fall schedule to DCA-DTW is out. It is really nasty...

Old schedule:
7x 319
1x 320
1x 752
Approx 1204 Seats

New Schedule:
1x 320
2x DC93
3x CR9!
3x 319
Approx 948 seats

The most amazing change for me is that the 4:24 flight DCA-DTW goes from a 752 to a CR9. Delta has really never found a route it doesn't like a CRJ on, has it?

Nuts
 

And most of these flights are full everyday except the 6:40AM flight to MSP. I do not get it. :confused:

On a Thursday there are usually more elites on the upgrade list for that 4:24 then there will be seats on the flight once it moves to the CR9. People are going to have to book well in advance in order to grab one of the 76 seats leaving at the peak of the consultant rush hour.

100% correct. What are they thinking? Or is it they want us to PE override at $1600 RT? BTW Friday is the Congress rush home also. Booked solid.

Well, at least a CR9 isn't a CRJ. But, no I'm totally with you.

It seems to me they're cutting back capacity so they can artifically raise fares.

After doing some research of the situation here in SYR, apparently Delta cut SYR-ATL a few years back (see link below for article from 2007) which resulted in fewer seats on an already heavily traveled route, and increased fares.

http://blog.syracuse.com/news/2007/0..._to_impro.html

Don't you all remember the Delta and NW execs talking about how the two networks had very little overlap and they complemented each other? And that little cuts in service would result? I remember that wonderful website that you could pick a city on the map and it would tell you all the wonderful advantages of the Delta/NW merger. What a bunch of BS.

Smaller planes = fewer seats = better ability to increase fares = better company profits (sorely needed in the airline industry). Makes sense to me.

yes... but with most companies these days... DL ticket = $325, UA ticket = $300 guess what fare gets purchased... and which company profits.

Not all routes are that way, and of course other factors such as what the company does to keep flyers loyal also influence the purchase decision. In my case, Delta's SM program and internet access are enough to get me to pay more when they aren't the cheapest. I know that not everyone shares this view.

Exactly, and US also flies DCA-DTW NS.