Originally Posted by
Gunfighter
Nothing is thin in the 350 route structure, especially the 35K. Yes it has better range than the 359, which does have issues on 16 hour flights. I'd expect initially it will be more capacity on routes that need the lift like JNB, MEL, SYD and ATL-ICN, ATL-PVG. That will free up a few 359s for SLC-ICN or some 339 city pairs that are PO. As the fleet grows, there will be opportunities for more 16 hour destinations. Yes it could be used to sell more seats in slot controlled airports like LHR.
Don't know if ATL-PVG would happen given Russian Airspace constraints. If Delta was to launch a new route to PVG it would most likely be from JFK or MSP. SLC-ICN is already an A359. Most likely A359 routes from planes freed up by A350-1000s. JNB, SYD, ATL-ICN, MEL is like 6-7 freed up frames.
JFK-ICN
LAX-ICN
LAX-MNL
SEA-SIN (LAX would more likely be A350-1000)