Originally Posted by sailingfun

Its interesting that the MEC passed the code share on the first vote with 100 percent voting for it. Most complaining don't even seem to understand it. Delta has one marginal route to Australia that we have been unable so far to make profitable year round. The route has been on the chopping block for a long time. The current agreement on code shares would allow the company to link with VB and not consult us in any way. They could have up to 28 flights a week verses our 7 flights. The newly signed agreement limits VB to 21 flights a week. If they exceed that Delta's share of the flying goes up. To get 28 flights a week on VB Delta would have to have 14 flights. Overall a much better deal. The other thing is the amount of passengers this will funnel into Domestic US flights. Something that this forum never even considers on codeshares yet is very important.

Virgin does have some A380's on order. They are there to replace 747's. They also have 787's on order however they will replace larger A340's. They have no real fleet growth planned and are losing money. Branson is rumored to be getting tired of his airline empire sucking cash out of the rest of his business activities and wants out. A deal to purchase VA might also allow for the shutdown or sale of Virgin America. They have extremely low pay rates and our depressing yields in many key transcon markets.