Delta's nonstop Pittsburgh-to-Paris flight not taking off financially

[Veritas]

Delta's flight to Paris not taking off financially

 

[wings396]

Is this really a big surprise to anyone, especially the locals in PIT? Given that US operated this route a few years ago, they should have expected the same result with DL operating it. Keep in mind that US ran this route while it was being fed by some connecting traffic, and that still wasn't enough to keep it alive. With DL depending strictly on passengers originating in PIT, the loads are bound to be even less. Even with the downsizing in PIT by US, I'm sure they would have considered keeping the route with the revenue assistance of the the locals had it been worth the effort. I realize that at this point DL hasn't pulled the plug, but I expect they will when the $$$ stop coming in from the city/airport.

 

[brokenwrench]

Is this really a big surprise to anyone, especially the locals in PIT? Given that US operated this route a few years ago, they should have expected the same result with DL operating it. Keep in mind that US ran this route while it was being fed by some connecting traffic, and that still wasn't enough to keep it alive. With DL depending strictly on passengers originating in PIT, the loads are bound to be even less. Even with the downsizing in PIT by US, I'm sure they would have considered keeping the route with the revenue assistance of the the locals had it been worth the effort. I realize that at this point DL hasn't pulled the plug, but I expect they will when the $$$ stop coming in from the city/airport.

Agreed that when the money from the city stops the route may as well.
But, you miss the point of the route by viewing it as feed for originating PAX. When US operated the route from the hub it was just that. The route as DL is operating it today is just a spoke off the CDG hub. This is possible due to the JV that AirFrance/KLM and Delta enjoy.

 

[wings396]

I suppose that may be a factor, but either way only time will tell. I know that DL also took over the PHL-CDG route from AF a few months ago using an ETOPS 757. I have no idea of how that route is doing, but then again PHL has a larger O&D market than PIT. There is competition on the
PHL-CDG route with US operating it was well, with none on the PIT-CDG run.

 

[Singleflyer]

One bonus for the domestic flyer is taking the ETOPS 757 on the late afternoon run from PIT to ATL, after it lands from CDG. Much better than the RJ, especially in 1st.

 

[goneflyin]

This is a tough time for nearly any flight to Europe. It think the European economy (and, as a result, our yields to Europe) are going to get worse before they get better. I'm hoping that PIT subsidizes that flight long enough for the economy to turn around.

 

[700UW]

There was a reason why US scaled back PIT and cut international flying out.

 

[floatingon9]

Besides all of that...

PIT has the highest take-off and landing fees in the US.

 

[PHLfa88]

I suppose that may be a factor, but either way only time will tell. I know that DL also took over the PHL-CDG route from AF a few months ago using an ETOPS 757. I have no idea of how that route is doing, but then again PHL has a larger O&D market than PIT. There is competition on the
PHL-CDG route with US operating it was well, with none on the PIT-CDG run.

I talk to agents in PHL and they say it is Not doing well at all! They say it is not even going out half full! Look for it to end at the end of the summer!

 

[DCaf]

I talk to agents in PHL and they say it is Not doing well at all! They say it is not even going out half full! Look for it to end at the end of the summer!

Only when I want to go there.

 

[BoeingBoy]

Unfortunately for DL, the timing of starting the PIT & PHL to Europe flights wasn't good given the economy last year. Perhaps the routes will do better as the economy improves or perhaps not.

Jim