the measure of whether DL's growth is too fast or not is whether they can deliver industry average or better revenue on the added capacity.
DL is maintaining or growing its system RASM at or above industry average - which could be possible because DL's core markets in its hubs is improving so strongly that they have plenty of capacity to add capacity - NYC and ATL are seeing particularly strong revenue growth - OR because DL's growth in new markets like SEA is really doing a lot better than a lot of people thought it would be.
Despite the repeated concerns that DL's capacity growth would not succeed in key industry markets, the evidence is overwhelming that DL not only is succeeding at its strategy of growing in key industry markets but intends to continue to do even more.
Hunter Keay is clearly far more preoccupied with what might happen to other airlines than whether DL is generating the best revenues for DL.
For instance, Delta’s capacity grew by 7% in American Airline’s (AAL) markets during the second quarter, by 9% in JetBlue’s (JBLU) markets, by 12% in United Continental’s (UAL) markets, and a whopping 40% in Alaska Air’s (ALK) markets.
guess what, Hunter? DL isn't the least bit worried about your concerns about DL's growth in other carrier's key markets.
DL IS interested in building its own strategic future.
btw, DL's summer buildup in SEA is already underway with capacity to LAX and SEA already up and a number of other cities such as DEN and in Alaska seeing new service or added service including on key AS routes like LAX-PDX and SEA-Hawaii.
And DL is apparently adding new service SEA-PSC to take advantage of DL's position of having service from upper cities in the upper Rockies and interior west not just from SLC but also to SEA and MSP, something that no other carrier can duplicate.
and that is just AS.
btw, it is Delta Air Lines - 3 words.