If I was Delta, and I wanted:

1. to go anywhere in Asia, nonstop, from the US,
2. same as 1 except include really far away southern reaches of Asia, nonstop, from the US,
3. and I knew the RASM-CASM margin using a 747 wouldn't be just right,
4. and I knew the RASM-CASM margin on a 777 wouldn't be just right,
5. and I knew the capabilities and margin of the A350 or 787 were just right,
6. and I knew the A350 availability was just right but 787 just wrong,
7. and I knew I wanted to be going from the west coast,
8. and I knew SFO was full of competition,
9. and I knew LAX was packed out,
10. and I knew SEA was open with no much international competition,

Then I'd probably order A350s and massively expand international flying out of SEA.

I'd need feed. If Alaska wanted to do it, then hire Alaska. If unable, or contract issues would prevent it over the long run, then fine, hire Delta.

If you asked me, what about Alaskan Airlines? I'd say as the owner of Delta, what does that have to do with my international flying to Asia? If those two things have issues or could complement each other, I'll do some what about Alaskan.

So I agree with the sentiment the two can coexist.

That's my guess.

 

International flying should continue to weaken, no country is as strong financially as the USA, and most Asian economies are outright fraudulent. SEA is more a future domestic stronghold like MSP.

 

that may be the reason you don't need the super premium widebodies, just the wbs like a 350 or 787.

 

The goal, I think, is far-Asia, overflying Japan. Have you seen the air travel projections into, out of, and within China? And is is really fraudulent? For goodness' sake, they're financing our goverment right now. We have provided them de facto legitimacy by requiring their money to finance our unearned entitlements.

Delta can feed Delta within the US. A Chinese codeshare parter can feed Delta from China. Alaskan can do...whatever it is Alaskan does without international feed and scope.

There is money to be made internationally from SEA. Lots of it.

 

Things look bleak for Alaska, no doubt about that. However Delta's bread and butter will be domestic, and perhaps South America. Asia is going to be a dead stick soon. I don't know the time frame on that, but the majority of that part of the world is one gigantic fraud. They have entire cities built that no one lives in, and they are starting to build huge complexs in the middle of the ocean, with plans to immediately abandon them. Also, China would love to sell its treasury hoard, and stick it to the US, but their dirty little secret is they can't. Everyone on Wall Street knows this including Delta management. Delta might look to be building up now, but they are pulling out, and have been for many years. The A350 is the perfect plane to be redeployed elsewhere when that happens. ACL65 and I had this discussion in 2010 on the L&G, here are the posts:

 

Alaska is going to be fine. They are taking increasing levels of Americans and United passengers that connect on the west coast. That's what they were doing with Delta anyhow, they are simply switching partners.

 

MSP has been shrinking since the merger, that trend isn't going to change. Seattle is nothing like MSP.

 

I don't have anything in the fight, but being a NW guy I think Alaska will be just fine. Customer service as a passenger is night and day. Maybe if Delta puts out to pasture the cranks who hate working and gets some new blood for FA's there might be hope. Also, I keep saying over and over again, when you're riding in first as a paying passenger please Delta FA chill on the service and let the passenger finish their cocktail first then move on to dinner. I don't know how many times I'm not even close to finishing a cocktail and they are pushing dinner on me. They need some serious training in serving dinner. Obviously they want to get it done quickly so they can get to their people magazine.

 

I'm talking about for Alaska in SEA.