Delta to discontinue Selling Duty Free Aug 8th

[traderjake]

 

The notion that DL should provide a service for prestige that they lose money on is the way AA has been run, not DL.

the fact that Parker is willing to cut service offerings at AA to the howls and cries on here shows that he isn't afraid of doing the same thing.

It's a business, not a utility.

 

No matter what the subject is with you it always devolves to comparing Delta to American.

 

[WorldTraveler]

well, FORGIVE ME if the facts happen to collide with the image of the world you want to see, even if it isn't the reality.

There have been multiple threads - and an active one now - about AA's catering changes and not one person can present any evidence that the changes will result in less revenue, any more than the statement above mine in this thread by someone who posted that Asian customers want to be able to buy their alcohol and tobacco.

DL runs its business to make a profit. Every aspect of what DL does has to support that goal, including duty free, no matter how much customers want it or not.

Other airlines have not seen it that way.

Parker was given the keys to AA and most of AA's former executive mgmt. was swept out in order to create a culture that makes money and not provide service just for the sake of providing something for customers.

The comparison is absolutely valid and it highlights why DL has made yet another industry leading move to ensure that the products and services that DL offers make money for the company and not just satisfy a perceived customer need.

 

[eolesen]

You're missing the forest in your eye, WT.

Granted, 80% of the discussion takes place around AA and US on these forums, but it doesn't seem to matter what the topic is -- there's a 90% chance that you're going to bring up a comparison between AA & DL at some point in any given discussion.

The remaining 10% are for those rare opportunities that there's a discussion involving WN or UA. Even there, you tend to still drag AA in whenever there's a negative to be found.

Not a criticism, or a personal attack. Just a factual observation.

 

[WorldTraveler]

I respect your perspective, E, but it doesn't matter whether AA or US employees or fans are the dominant participants on this forum.

you made the statement that Asian customers expect to be able to buy their alcohol and tobacco.


DL doesn't care what any customers want if DL can't justify that they make money providing that product or service.

You worked for AA by your own statements on this forum.

There have been endless discussions about services or routes that AA has operated that do not make money or which people complain about AA cutting despite no evidence that those decisions will financially hurt AA or not.

I have made plenty of factual and positive observations about AA as well.

IN this case, it is absolutely relevant that DL will not provide a service that it cannot make money providing even if customers want it while other carriers and their fans/supporters on this website have talked about how AA needs to be willing to invest in products or markets knowing full well that they will lose money providing that service or product.

While I, like you, said that I wanted AA to remain a standalone airline and rebuild, it is clear that Parker and co. are making changes at AA based on their expectations and experience regarding delivering financial results first.

As with any other decision that should be made by a profit-oriented company, including your comment about customer expectations about buying certain duty free products, the goal is ALWAYS to be profitable and if profits can't be shown (even internally) then mgmt. better be able to justify why they are choosing to do something unprofitably.

THAT is the essence of why there was a mention of any other carrier in this thread.

 

[eolesen]

you made the statement that Asian customers expect to be able to buy their alcohol and tobacco.

No, I made the comment that non-US customers like their duty-free cigarettes and alcohol, and that DL had better communicate and manage those expectations, especially if they've been used to buying it onboard and now won't available.

Managing customer expectations and being profitable are complimentary yet mutually exclusive.