Originally Posted by flyallnite

Here is what I think about that:

U.S.-LHR: We won't lose what we have now. By coordinating schedules with VA and eventually pricing, we'll be able to move much more traffic onto the DL system, where we make 100 percent of the profits. The passenger in England is no longer obliged to take BA and therefore American to get to Des Moines. In the long run, it may allow for larger aircraft and more flights for us to LHR. Do I want that VA A380 in Atlanta? The answer is a qualified yes. Yes, if we don't reduce our service in that market accordingly, because I want that A380 full of passengers that otherwise would have flown AA or United to be on Delta when they connect.

Asia: VA not really a big player there, and LHR isn't really a big connecting point from the US to Asia. That's why Singapore sold their share, it just was too far afield to do anything with.

Caribbean: I think we stand to gain. DL flies all over the Caribbean, and by gaining access to the huge, number one market in England, we now are able to fill those flights with more people- see ATL above. I don't think VA can really feed their network into or out of the Caribbean without us.

Africa: AF/KLM provides more service to the Continent than anyone. If you are traveling from the US, DL has direct service. So I don't think Africa will change much at all as a result of the JV with VA, not a gain or loss there.