Originally Posted by
Moby Dick
Not to punch a hole in your collective bubbles, but the reason DAL doesn't do the flying is you can't compete with the Alaska frequent flyer program on the West Coast. What you're seeing is a FEW added flights to try to suck up some of the overflow. I'm sure Tilden and Anderson agreed to the plan a couple months back when they met in PDX to inaugurate your PDX/Amsterdam service.
And again when he came to SEA to kick off the new Asia service. Your boss is no dummy. He has no intention of seriously competing on the West Coast when he's getting the international feed for free.
But, you guys keep smoking that pipe dream that your LAX operation is going to change any route map colors. That GREEN in your Inflight Magazine is GREEN for a reason. Its MONEY pouring into DAL coffers without having to have metal and labor on the routes.
Delta does not get any revenue from passengers it flies on Alaska. No money appears in the coffers. I think Delta and Alaska are having a dispute. Any route we add a flight on that Alaska flies almost certainly becomes a big money loser for both airlines. Delta is out to make a statement to Alaska to get back in line and with the program. I suspect in a few months they will kiss and make up. If not Delta will try and add needed feed to SEA in key markets but it will require additional gates in SEA. They are planning more gates but not for a few years so they would have to be purchased if available.