Delta Shuttle: LAX-SFO hourly. How does UA respond?
#31
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: LAX
Programs: AA Exec Plat; UA Plat
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So, UA generally flies mainline planes on this route all day. Today delta announced more or less all RJ service between the cities. Why are we not bashing DL for the RJ service ?, or are we only allowed to bash UA when it's the other way around. Forgive me, I'm trying to stay up to date on the forum rules
#32
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Columbia, SC
Programs: UAL 1KMM,Hilton Diamond
Posts: 758
UA's response:
Jeff wlll talk about UA is the first US airline to have the 787 and then talk about our world wide network. That's his answer for everything.
Recently, I was on UA CAE-ORD-LAS. There was mechanical problems on UA and I was moved to DL in CAE. Problems over at DL and there was a several hour delay. While we waited, DL passed out $50 Master card vouchers for us to use in Atlanta Airport in the next 48 hours. I was floored. As a 1K on UA, I have never seen anything like this.
Jeff wlll talk about UA is the first US airline to have the 787 and then talk about our world wide network. That's his answer for everything.
Recently, I was on UA CAE-ORD-LAS. There was mechanical problems on UA and I was moved to DL in CAE. Problems over at DL and there was a several hour delay. While we waited, DL passed out $50 Master card vouchers for us to use in Atlanta Airport in the next 48 hours. I was floored. As a 1K on UA, I have never seen anything like this.
#33
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 3,361
Delta's domestic capacity post-merger is down, and there are no plans to grow it much beyond the extra seats added from flying larger aircraft. Right now, Delta is moving a lot of capacity around, which results in growth in some markets.
#35
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I think this is largely because DL switched regional carriers here (to Compass) so that the route would be operated exclusively by E175's. As others have noted, they really don't feel like an RJ the way the other regional equipment does -- in fact, in some ways it's better than mainline because there are no middle seats.
DL's schedule of 14 E175s puts 168 F seats on the route. It is ambitious.
This E175 config is so much better than a Delta CR7 or CR9 in coach the uninitiated won't believe it.
#36
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#37
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Although it's a shame UA has not been able to yet bring any kind of real food to any RJs, wifi or IFE to any RJs, etc....
#38
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2008
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Posts: 504
Yes! hahaha.
anyway as people have noted aptly, good points on RJs getting delayed faster than mainline at SFO, and that RJs are somewhat annoying.
However the E70 is ok. Overhead wise still sucks In comparison especially to how FULL the bins get on a 757 LAX-SFO.
The amenities are what caught my eye though. It's almost as if Delta wants people to ENJOY this route.
Whatever all of this will be irrelevant when california finishes its high speed rail
anyway as people have noted aptly, good points on RJs getting delayed faster than mainline at SFO, and that RJs are somewhat annoying.
However the E70 is ok. Overhead wise still sucks In comparison especially to how FULL the bins get on a 757 LAX-SFO.
The amenities are what caught my eye though. It's almost as if Delta wants people to ENJOY this route.
Whatever all of this will be irrelevant when california finishes its high speed rail
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#39
Join Date: Feb 2008
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For our Jefferson Avenue crew though, ignore this at your peril. DL is making a huge west coast push, LAX and SEA. Then they infill at SFO (likely with a VX tie up). The goal is to make DL the go to airline at LAX (same as at NYC). DL is adding massive service at LAX, and will have a newly refinished terminal. UAL? Dumpy old terminal and service cuts.
You can play all the games you want, try to convince yourself that UAL is doing well, DAL posted 9.7B in revenue, and $685M in profit. UAL had 10B in revenue, and only $468M,
Moving forward, DL will have (1) lie flat, isle access, (2) upgaged planes, less RJ, (3) expanded LAX/NYC/SEA service, (4) the VS tie up (and no 2 at LHR), (5) adding IFE/power to all A319/320s, and now (5) this shuttle.
What new advantages will UA have? They will have a bunch of A319/320s with tigher seating and IFE taken out. And they have gone to cheaper/broken/stale nuts in F/C, saving $100,000/year. Can you think of any new wonderful things they are doing?
DAL is targeting UA directly, they see a change to pick up high value fliers (at LAX, NYC) and they expect those fliers to come from UAL, not some other airline. Anyone who thinks there target is SW, or VX (or AA) is mistaken...
#40
Join Date: May 2005
Programs: Million Miler, 1K - Basically spend a lot of time on planes
Posts: 2,202
Wifi on LAX-SFO is usually pretty patchy at best, so that isn't really a bug deal to myself, but it is nice thing to know that every hour on the hour that flight exists rather than having to check schedules
I truly believe that if DL announced tomorrow that they were bringing mileage reception for awards and upgrades in line with that UA offers, that most elites would seriously leave in droves. Every time I look for a DL award, it's like 325,000 mies for anything longhaul business, where as on UA I find Business and First awards pretty much every time I look for saver amounts of 50k, and 67k
It's the only thing that UA is currently better than DL for.
Last edited by CO_Nonrev_elite; Aug 1, 2013 at 5:23 pm
#42
Join Date: Feb 2008
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Its also an effort to poach customers when UAL is weak, and before AA becomes stronger.
Its the opposite strategy of what UA is doing.
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#43
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So, UA generally flies mainline planes on this route all day. Today delta announced more or less all RJ service between the cities. Why are we not bashing DL for the RJ service ?, or are we only allowed to bash UA when it's the other way around. Forgive me, I'm trying to stay up to date on the forum rules
RJs don't have to be a sucky experience - UA just makes them that way
#44
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Location: TPA for now. Hopefully LIS for retirement
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So, UA generally flies mainline planes on this route all day. Today delta announced more or less all RJ service between the cities. Why are we not bashing DL for the RJ service ?, or are we only allowed to bash UA when it's the other way around. Forgive me, I'm trying to stay up to date on the forum rules
![Big Grin](https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/images/smilies/biggrin.gif)
I was having this same thought.
ETA: Especially when they are offering additional amenities that the competition is not.
OK . . .
But does that also hold true when UA does it?
![Confused](https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/images/smilies/confused.gif)
Last edited by iluv2fly; Aug 2, 2013 at 12:46 am Reason: merge
#45
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: BUR / LAX
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And there are a LOT of suits on the BUR-OAK and OAK-BUR flights to the point of sell outs at the times you would expect. Drink coupons, A list, and business select help, but Delta sounds close. Come on, Delta, if you really wanna be west coasty you need to discover BUR-NoCal routes.
I'll deal with regionals for a one hour flight if I know it will be reasonably comfortable, priced right, and convenient (have I mentioned BUR?).
My real hope is that moves like this will put some price and scheduling pressure on everyone.
Last edited by abaheti; Aug 1, 2013 at 5:46 pm