Delta "Economy Minus?"

[Overspeed]

http://money.cnn.com/2015/08/19/pf/delta-basic-economy-tickets/index.html

 

[WorldTraveler]

apparently some missed when DL said that the Economy Basic fare would be cheaper and would be more competitive with the ULCCs.

DL's industry highest LF is probably due to their ability to throw on a few more passengers.

yes, the Economy Basic fare comes with less than what legacy carriers typically offer.

that's the point.

DL is competing across a wider range of the market than its legacy peers.

Given that DL has been the most aggressive carrier in defending its route structure from competitors, DL's willingness to come up with and use a new fare product should come as a surprise to no one.

of course since all seats on a plane get to the gate at the same time, the fare product selected won't effect all DL customers from taking advantage of DL's best operational reliability which is the best among nationwide large jet US airlines.

 

[Glenn Quagmire]

"Could Coach Get Any Worse? Delta Found a Way with New Class of Fares"


http://news.yahoo.com/could-coach-get-any-worse-delta-found-a-way-with-104781362557.html

 

[jimntx]

As the article said, Basic Economy is an alternative to Spirit Airlines, and Spirit is still kicking.  A lot of coach passengers are bringing their own food and drink on board.  Maybe there should be a section for people who want nothing from us other than transportation from Point A to Point B.  From the description you couldn't handcuff me and force me into that section, but that's just me.  I likes my amenities. :lol:

 

[WorldTraveler]

except your interpretation of the article fails to note that DL's economy basic product still includes far more than any ULCC including Spirit and also includes things like the most reliable on-time operation among the big 4 US airlines that can't be bought in any cabin on AA, UA, or WN.

Passengers clearly say that getting where they want on-time is THE MOST valuable amenity they can buy and DL delivers it.

and of course DL also offers more Wifi, more seatback entertainment, and more free alcohol on its int'l flights than AA, UA, and WN and snacks with beverage on domestic flights which AA and UA do not.

DL passengers clearly like their amenities just as much as they do which is why DL has the highest revenue premium in the industry.

 

[Birdman]

DL passengers clearly like their amenities just as much as they do which is why DL has the highest revenue premium in the industry.

Well IMO, WN has the best Honey Roast Peanuts in the industry.

 

[WorldTraveler]

They are good but my personal preference is the Biscoff cookie... on DL.


and of course with your simple request, a full can of soft drink comes whether you choose the peanuts, pretzels, or cookies on longer domestic flights on DL. There's a reason why DL FAs drag that beverage cart thru the aisle - so they can provide whatever you want.

and while WN has improved its on-time performance, DL still is more reliable not just with on-time but also with baggage delivery. Any "free" checked bag on WN doesn't mean much if it doesn't arrive at your destination when you do. DL's baggage complaints with the DOT is the lowest of the big 4 and DL gives you miles if they don't get your baggage to the claim area in the specific time.

Oh, and all of that stuff is available to passengers in EVERY cabin and booking class on Delta.

Compared to many of DL's competitors, even DL's economy basic fare is more like economy enhanced.

 

[FrugalFlyerv2.0]

... ... ...  and DL gives you miles if they don't get your baggage to the claim area in the specific time.

 
Sadly DL can't provide you with an award chart in case you want to redeem your mighty DL SkyMiles.

 

[WorldTraveler]

For the same reason they don't have a list of their fares published on the ticket counter... because there are dozens of combinations of possibilities because there are multiple levels of awards depending on how many miles you are willing to spend. There is no ONE award level like there is on other carriers and award seats are revenue managed just like regular revenue seats - the more you are willing to pay, the more likely you will get the seat you want.

Why don't AA and UA have fare displays behind the ticket counter?... that was the case at one time.

in the mean time, every DL passenger enjoys more amenities than those of its competitors.

Don't hold your breath waiting for the FA to ask if you want peanuts, pretzels, or a cookie on AA or UA or be surprised if your bag is 2X as likely to NOT show up on the carousel if flying AA, UA, or WN. and bags or no bags, your plane is less likely to arrive on-time - if it even operates - if you are flying AA,UA, or WN.

 

[FrugalFlyerv2.0]

Gotta give you props for circling the wagons so quickly.
And your nice deflection is noted.
 

 
 
psst ... you do realize that DL looks silly as it it is the only big 4 airline that is not publishing a redemption chart? 

 

[topDawg]

Gotta give you props for circling the wagons so quickly.
And your nice deflection is noted.
 

 
 
psst ... you do realize that DL looks silly as it it is the only big 4 airline that is not publishing a redemption chart? 

Do they? Clearly people aren't leaving SM quickly or it would be back/fixed. 
 
Just saying, Delta has proven that they will hide as much data as the market will let them. Internet pissing contests and Flyertalk b**ching aside, as long as people are still using SkyMiles then why exactly should DL change? 

 

[FrugalFlyerv2.0]

Do they? Clearly people aren't leaving SM quickly or it would be back/fixed. 
 
Just saying, Delta has proven that they will hide as much data as the market will let them.

 
Let me rephrase that:  IMHO, DL looks silly for not showing the redemption chart. 
Using SM to get a ticket on DL now seems like getting something that fell off the back of a truck.  Again, IMHO.

 

[WorldTraveler]

You mean that because DL doesn't do business the way the rest of the industry does, you look silly trying to argue that they are wrong when in fact they are generating a revenue premium and delivering the most reliable product any large US airline has ever consistently delivered.

and specific to this topic, you missed or have ignored that DL has noted that the use of the Economy Basic product is actually below their expectations because they are fully disclosing what the fare involves and passengers are CHOOSING to buy up to a standard economy fare.

Given that the difference in policy regarding advance seat selection is one of the most obvious parts of the Economhy basic fare, the buy up seems to validate that advance seat selection is a valuable part of the DL product package