pqdtw From Netherlands, joined Aug 2008, 145 posts, RR: 0 Posted (3 years 2 months 2 weeks 2 days 23 hours ago) and read 8720 times:
Interesting development going on in the ATL-FRA market. All winter, DL has switched from a 767-300ER to an A332 in the ATL-FRA market. I'm wondering if this is more a competitive strategy than a capacity issue, in that the 767-300ERs are not equipped with IFE in Economy and Delta wants to offer a more premium product to compete with LH.
Now, looking at the summer schedules, DL is putting a 77L on ATL-FRA. Obviously this is because the 77L comes into ATL and needs a 'short' rotation (as compared to long hauls like JNB and DXB) to get the most of its usage. But also, it's interesting that FRA was chosen for this short rotation above say a CDG or AMS. Looks to me like DL is really going head-to-head with LH in this market by offering its best product, i.e. Lie-flat seats.
BMI727 From United States of America, joined Feb 2009, 14352 posts, RR: 26 Reply 1, posted (3 years 2 months 2 weeks 2 days 23 hours ago) and read 8632 times:
Quoting pqdtw (Thread starter): Looks to me like DL is really going head-to-head with LH in this market by offering its best product, i.e. Lie-flat seats.
Could be, but I would be more inclined to think that it is just rightsizing in the wake of the merger followed by a seasonal capacity bump. (276 seats vs. 243) If DL is really trying to place their best product on the route, there is a good chance that we will see a retrofitted 764 or 763 this winter.
Why do Aerospace Engineering students have to turn things in on time?
deltal1011man From United States of America, joined Sep 2005, 8590 posts, RR: 8 Reply 2, posted (3 years 2 months 2 weeks 2 days 23 hours ago) and read 8619 times:
OA412 From United States of America, joined Dec 2000, 4980 posts, RR: 25 Reply 3, posted (3 years 2 months 2 weeks 2 days 23 hours ago) and read 8602 times:
I'm not sure that it's really any sort of competitive response to LH. DL has always done quite well on ATL-FRA and has often flown it 2x daily in summers past. I just think they're trying to match capacity to demand. That they needed a shorter hop to utilize the 77L on didn't hurt.
laca773 From United States of America, joined Nov 2004, 3749 posts, RR: 2 Reply 4, posted (3 years 2 months 2 weeks 2 days 22 hours ago) and read 8388 times:
Since they will only be flying ATL-FRA once daily this summer, could this be a reason to upgrade to a 77L/E ?
What are the average load factors on this route year round?
L1011Lover From Germany, joined Oct 2003, 971 posts, RR: 15 Reply 5, posted (3 years 2 months 2 weeks 2 days 16 hours ago) and read 7751 times:
Quoting OA412 (Reply 3): I'm not sure that it's really any sort of competitive response to LH. DL has always done quite well on ATL-FRA and has often flown it 2x daily in summers past.
ATL-FRA-ATL was actually served twice daily year-round for years until last summer!
DL14 ATL-FRA
DL15 FRA-ATL
and
DL20 ATL-FRA
DL27 FRA-ATL
So I was actually quite shocked when I realized that DL did not only suspended the CVG-FRA-CVG flight (which by the way at one point - during the DL FRA hub days of course - was served twice daily as well) but also cancelled the 2nd daily ATL flight. How times have changed.
But I'm glad seeing that DL isn't completely ignoring the FRA market.
ca2ohHP From United States of America, joined Sep 2005, 932 posts, RR: 2 Reply 6, posted (3 years 2 months 2 weeks 2 days 14 hours ago) and read 7467 times:
Quoting pqdtw (Thread starter): Looks to me like DL is really going head-to-head with LH in this market by offering its best product, i.e. Lie-flat seats.
Sorry, DL is no LH - no US carrier is. Like posted above, I'd say it's simply right-sizing the market with a 332. Odd use of a 77L this summer, however.
Cubsrule From United States of America, joined May 2004, 21244 posts, RR: 19 Reply 7, posted (3 years 2 months 2 weeks 2 days 14 hours ago) and read 7263 times:
Quoting OA412 (Reply 3): I'm not sure that it's really any sort of competitive response to LH. DL has always done quite well on ATL-FRA and has often flown it 2x daily in summers past. I just think they're trying to match capacity to demand. That they needed a shorter hop to utilize the 77L on didn't hurt.
Bingo. With CVG-FRA gone, DL needs more connecting capacity somewhere - and JFK, which has gone from 752 to 763, and ATL are those "somewheres." The southeast has strong business connections to Germany (indeed, the business connections of the region to Germany are probably stronger than those to any other country), and the need for capacity is certainly there for that reason too.
I can't decide whether I miss the tulip or the bowling shoe more
sydaircargo From Australia, joined Jun 2008, 240 posts, RR: 0 Reply 8, posted (3 years 2 months 2 weeks 2 days 13 hours ago) and read 7220 times:
Quoting pqdtw (Thread starter): Interesting development going on in the ATL-FRA market. All winter, DL has switched from a 767-300ER to an A332 in the ATL-FRA market. I'm wondering if this is more a competitive strategy than a capacity issue, in that the 767-300ERs are not equipped with IFE in Economy and Delta wants to offer a more premium product to compete with LH.
well i can only talk about the cargo sector and there Deltas service was everything but competitive over the past few
month. maybe the A332 can improve that a bit. still nothing to compete with LH on that sector.
catiii From United States of America, joined Mar 2008, 2279 posts, RR: 3 Reply 9, posted (3 years 2 months 2 weeks 2 days 13 hours ago) and read 7183 times:
Quoting pqdtw (Thread starter): and Delta wants to offer a more premium product to compete with LH.
Also, keep in mind that these are two different markets. For most LH passengers, ATL is their final destination, having connected on LH through FRA from another city. For DL pax, ATL is a transit point to FRA, which is their final destination. I think that although they fly the same route, they aren't necessarily "competing" on it. I would imagine the O/D on ATL-FRA is a small percentage of overall pax.
LHCVG From United States of America, joined May 2009, 1369 posts, RR: 1 Reply 10, posted (3 years 2 months 2 weeks 2 days 12 hours ago) and read 6945 times:
Quoting catiii (Reply 9): Also, keep in mind that these are two different markets. For most LH passengers, ATL is their final destination, having connected on LH through FRA from another city. For DL pax, ATL is a transit point to FRA, which is their final destination. I think that although they fly the same route, they aren't necessarily "competing" on it. I would imagine the O/D on ATL-FRA is a small percentage of overall pax.
That's a good point to bring up. On that note, is this why LH has a SEN lounge in ATL? I didn't realize they had until someone mentioned it on FlyerTalk a couple weeks ago, and it kind of surprised me since ATL is certainly a spoke route for LH, but I guess they must really have a good market for that single daily FRA trip.
MaverickM11 From United States of America, joined Apr 2000, 15733 posts, RR: 48 Reply 11, posted (3 years 2 months 2 weeks 2 days 12 hours ago) and read 6920 times:
Quoting pqdtw (Thread starter): Now, looking at the summer schedules, DL is putting a 77L on ATL-FRA. Obviously this is because the 77L comes into ATL and needs a 'short' rotation
From another thread, and from DL.com it looks like the second ATL/LAXNRT on the 77L has been axed, so there's your free 77L time for at least one Transatlantic trip
Cubsrule From United States of America, joined May 2004, 21244 posts, RR: 19 Reply 12, posted (3 years 2 months 2 weeks 2 days 12 hours ago) and read 6840 times:
Quoting LHCVG (Reply 10): On that note, is this why LH has a SEN lounge in ATL?
Carriers are much more likely to have a lounge in small outstations when those outstations see longhaul flights. AA, for instance, has lounges in BOG, FRA, PTY, and NRT.
I can't decide whether I miss the tulip or the bowling shoe more
Davescj From United States of America, joined Jun 2007, 2244 posts, RR: 0 Reply 14, posted (3 years 2 months 2 weeks 2 days 10 hours ago) and read 5466 times:
Quoting LHCVG (Reply 10): That's a good point to bring up. On that note, is this why LH has a SEN lounge in ATL? I didn't realize they had until someone mentioned it on FlyerTalk a couple weeks ago, and it kind of surprised me since ATL is certainly a spoke route for LH, but I guess they must really have a good market for that single daily FRA trip.
BA has a lounge in ATL also, and has only one flight per day. Interestingly, no AAdmirals Club. And there is a SC in FRA, probably due to the fact it used to be a DL hub.
I think DL is right sizing the route. Further, DL probably wants as few people as possible changing plans in JFK with the drama of the runway work.
dlphoenix From United States of America, joined Aug 2007, 412 posts, RR: 0 Reply 16, posted (3 years 2 months 2 weeks 2 days 9 hours ago) and read 5079 times:
Quoting chootie (Reply 13): The LH product in all classes seems to be much more complete(IMO)
The DL A330 hard product is similar to the LH hard product on the route. The 77L BE hard product is superior.
As for chosing who to fly - read the quote below
Quoting catiii (Reply 9): Also, keep in mind that these are two different markets. For most LH passengers, ATL is their final destination, having connected on LH through FRA from another city. For DL pax, ATL is a transit point to FRA, which is their final destination. I think that although they fly the same route, they aren't necessarily "competing" on it. I would imagine the O/D on ATL-FRA is a small percentage of overall pax.
==============================
Quoting pqdtw (Thread starter): it's interesting that FRA was chosen for this short rotation above say a CDG or AMS. Looks to me like DL is really going head-to-head with LH in this market by offering its best product, i.e. Lie-flat seats.
Anyone else here think this is the strategy?
DL offers a consistent service to LHR.
It will gain nothing from offering a better product on routes to CDG/AMS unless AF/KL with whom it has a revenue sharing agreement upgrade their hard products as well. This leaves FRA as the highest yield market where they can utilize the 77L "short hop".
Let Delta try, but in the long run...... I am sure that most will fly and N-JOY the LH service.
(a given that DL frequent flyers will stay with them)
The LH product in all classes seems to be much more complete(IMO)
So let the best competitor win!!!!!
Well personally spoken I'd take DL over LH any day. DL's Y product is definitely far superior to LH's in my opinion. Especially with more legroom. And I personally prefer DL's C-Class service over LH's inconsistent service as well.
4 hours into the flight they still have the lights on on LH transatlantic flights... they simply don't get it done... They torture you with cart after cart and hours of waiting in between. And LH's C-class seats are horrible! The worst (new generation) C-class seat I've ever had the misfortune of sitting in!
DL's service is by far more efficient than LH's and really smooth compared to the hectic, chaotic and noisy LH onboard atmosphere!
Plus: Who wants to be on an Airbus A340/330 when another airline deploys a 777 on the same route! Well okay... I admit this is all personal. But I'm sure other people might look at it the same way.
ssides From United States of America, joined Feb 2001, 4059 posts, RR: 23 Reply 18, posted (3 years 2 months 2 weeks 2 days 9 hours ago) and read 4958 times:
Quoting ca2ohHP (Reply 6): Sorry, DL is no LH - no US carrier is. Like posted above, I'd say it's simply right-sizing the market with a 332.
This.
LH is extremely good at competing with US airlines at their fortress hubs, and have done a great job of keeping local customers in the US market. They have done phenomenally well at some of the mid-size transatlantic US markets like DFW, SEA, ATL and IAH. I don't think Delta's move is a response to LH at all.
airbazar From United States of America, joined Sep 2003, 6884 posts, RR: 7 Reply 19, posted (3 years 2 months 2 weeks 2 days 9 hours ago) and read 4835 times:
Quoting L1011Lover (Reply 17): Plus: Who wants to be on an Airbus A340/330 when another airline deploys a 777 on the same route! Well okay... I admit this is all personal. But I'm sure other people might look at it the same way.
As you say it's personal. All things being equal I'll take the much quieter, and roomier 2-4-2 across A340/A333 over the cramped 777 with 3-3-3 across, every time. I've never flown DL on a TATL route but I've done many on NW and their A333's and in the process have experienced DL's ground personel and I can tell you that there's no comparison. I find LH's service from the minute I reach the check-in counter until I get my bags at the other end to be far superior, more professional and a lot pleasant.
OA412 From United States of America, joined Dec 2000, 4980 posts, RR: 25 Reply 20, posted (3 years 2 months 2 weeks 2 days 9 hours ago) and read 4720 times:
Quoting chootie (Reply 13): Let Delta try, but in the long run...... I am sure that most will fly and N-JOY the LH service.
Not really. I like LHs service, but they've both been able to coexist just fine on ATL-FRA for many, many years. I think you'll see them continue to coexist on the route.
deltal1011man From United States of America, joined Sep 2005, 8590 posts, RR: 8 Reply 21, posted (3 years 2 months 2 weeks 2 days 5 hours ago) and read 3731 times:
Quoting L1011Lover (Reply 5): So I was actually quite shocked when I realized that DL did not only suspended the CVG-FRA-CVG flight (which by the way at one point - during the DL FRA hub days of course - was served twice daily as well) but also cancelled the 2nd daily ATL flight. How times have changed.
they did move it to JFK.....but IIRC DTW-FRA got downgraded.
Quoting MaverickM11 (Reply 11): From another thread, and from DL.com it looks like the second ATL/LAXNRT on the 77L has been axed, so there's your free 77L time for at least one Transatlantic trip
It is but i would wait till the upload again and see what it looks like. Delta has done this before with NRT routes. The zero it out only to change it back a day or to later. (plus I would be shocked if DL just ran a single 332 on LAX-NRT and a single 777 on ATL-NRT.)
"Oh look at the sUGAr falling out of the sky! Look at the sUGAr falling out of the sky!" LM 1922-2011 Go Dawgs! G.A.T.A.
laca773 From United States of America, joined Nov 2004, 3749 posts, RR: 2 Reply 22, posted (3 years 2 months 2 weeks 2 days 4 hours ago) and read 3311 times:
Quoting deltal1011man (Reply 21):
It is but i would wait till the upload again and see what it looks like. Delta has done this before with NRT routes. The zero it out only to change it back a day or to later. (plus I would be shocked if DL just ran a single 332 on LAX-NRT and a single 777 on ATL-NRT.)
I wouldn't be surprised to see this route go 77L vs the 332. Or perhaps run 77L daily and run the 332 4X a week. The 77L is a much more competitive product when you put it up against NH, JL, SQ, KE (J/Y) and beats UA & AA product wise.
deltal1011man From United States of America, joined Sep 2005, 8590 posts, RR: 8 Reply 23, posted (3 years 2 months 2 weeks 2 days 3 hours ago) and read 3244 times:
Cubsrule From United States of America, joined May 2004, 21244 posts, RR: 19 Reply 24, posted (3 years 2 months 2 weeks 2 days 2 hours ago) and read 2930 times:
Quoting deltal1011man (Reply 21): they did move it to JFK.....but IIRC DTW-FRA got downgraded.
DTW+CVG+JFK (i.e. all non-ATL capacity) went from 333/763/752 the last summer CVG operated to 2x763 this summer.
Total seats to FRA are down quite a bit from Delta's peak, which featured four daily flights.
I can't decide whether I miss the tulip or the bowling shoe more
25 L1011Lover: What you mean? They moved what to JFK? I don't really understand? The FRA-JFK flight has been around ever since DL took over the route from PA in 199
26 deltal1011man: Sorry, they moved the 767 to JFK. It was on a 757
27 hypercott: Hi there, wow. I had to read your post twice -- to me what you say is rather ironic. I am a Delta Diamond Medallion (last year 135k) and a LH frequent
28 lucky777: Well, according to seatguru, LH's much quieter and "roomier" A340/333's (31-32" seat pitch, 17-17.5 width) are actually smaller and more cramped than
29 L1011Lover: Well I can't! Especially the recline and legroom issue. If seatguru states that LH's and DL's legroom is the same (which seems hard for me to believe
30 ca2ohHP: Just how many times have you actually flown LH international service? Granted every carrier has it's "bad eggs," but those are some pretty bold state
31 L1011Lover: I fly them monthly![Edited 2010-03-11 06:22:39]
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