questions From Australia, joined Sep 2011, 309 posts, RR: 0 Posted (5 months 1 week 19 hours ago) and read 8902 times:
How might Delta and Virgin Atlantic use "metal neutral" to more effectively capture premium traffic, manage demand, and utilize aircraft types across both airlines' fleets?
TWA772LR From United States of America, joined Nov 2011, 756 posts, RR: 1 Reply 1, posted (5 months 1 week 18 hours ago) and read 8780 times:
I can see Virgin flights to DL hubs. Like LHR-SLC in the winter and LHR-ATL year-round, or at least in the summer. Could we also see Virgin scede some LHR slots to DL so DL can set up a smaller, AMS-type base?
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vgnatl747 From United States of America, joined Apr 2001, 1492 posts, RR: 2 Reply 2, posted (5 months 1 week 11 hours ago) and read 7367 times:
Something I've been pondering since the start of this announcement is the still vast gap in premium service between DL and VS. "Metal Neutral" is an interesting term as it relates to capturing premium traffic. If I paid a premium for J class VS service and ended up on DL metal I'd be pretty disappointed. It's a win-win for DL passengers and elites, but if you're a VS passenger that isn't paying attention and end up on a DL operated codeshare you're in for a rude awakening.
This reminds me of years ago (before my family was travel savvy). We flew my grandparents to the US from London for their 50th wedding anniversary. We had always flown VS growing up and had come to love their service, but mistakenly booked them on a CO operated codeshare with a DC-10--which certainly didn't have the VS "flare".
FI642 From Monaco, joined Mar 2005, 1056 posts, RR: 2 Reply 3, posted (5 months 1 week 9 hours ago) and read 6130 times:
DL can learn from VS, VS can learn from DL. This is a win-win. Consolidation continues. DL is preparing for IAG to buy into AA, and has set the stage to battle back. This could be very interesting!
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delta764 From United States of America, joined Jun 2007, 38 posts, RR: 0 Reply 4, posted (5 months 1 week 9 hours ago) and read 6117 times:
Actually, I think getting on Delta metal would be an upgrade for VS. DL's 764 fleet is no different in economy than VS... the premium cabin on DL's 764's and re-modeled 763's are (IMO) more classy than VS. I've flown to LHR from ATL with DL several times now and have become spoiled to their superb service.
seabosdca From United States of America, joined Sep 2007, 4277 posts, RR: 4 Reply 5, posted (5 months 1 week 9 hours ago) and read 6117 times:
Quoting vgnatl747 (Reply 2): If I paid a premium for J class VS service and ended up on DL metal I'd be pretty disappointed. It's a win-win for DL passengers and elites, but if you're a VS passenger that isn't paying attention and end up on a DL operated codeshare you're in for a rude awakening.
I don't see why that would be true from LHR, because all DL LHR flights use refitted cabins with lie-flats (772, 764, or refit 763).
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tommy767 From United States of America, joined Aug 2003, 6172 posts, RR: 9 Reply 6, posted (5 months 1 week 9 hours ago) and read 5819 times:
Quoting delta764 (Reply 4): Actually, I think getting on Delta metal would be an upgrade for VS. DL's 764 fleet is no different in economy than VS... the premium cabin on DL's 764's and re-modeled 763's are (IMO) more classy than VS. I've flown to LHR from ATL with DL several times now and have become spoiled to their superb service.
Yeah I'm going to have to agree with this post. After seeing many a trip report of VS TATL flights, it seems the catering leaves a lot to be desired compared to the DL Business Elite product. However the on ground experience pre flight, I think VS has the upper hand over a Worldport DL sky club. Hard product about the same except the premium economy product on VS exceeds economy comfort.
"metal neutral" I could see:
VS to DL:
EWR-LHR
BOS-LHR
JFK-LHR
PHL-LHR
MCO-LHR
DL to VS:
DTW-LHR
MSP-LHR
ATL-LHR
New routes stated on either VS or DL:
BWI-LHR
BDL-LHR
PIT-LHR
"Folks that's the news and I'm outta here!" -- Dennis Miller
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From Australia, joined Sep 2011, 309 posts, 
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