Delta to Start Heathrow Service

Article in todays Sunday Times - Delta have negotiated with KLM and/or Air France for take off and landing slots and plan to start JFK and Atlanta services come next April. Although, no mention of what will happen to their Gatwick operations. The article also speculates that KLM will hand over some slots to allow Northwest to start services from Heathrow.

Also featured this morning is an article on their trip through Chapter 11.

Jonathan

[Darren Wheeler]

I find it a little odd that an airline in Chapter 11 is moving into LHR. I would have thought they would have consolidated their existing routes first, restore the pay and conditions to the staff and look to upgrade/improve the fleet.

Oh, and re-employ Queen of the Sky [8D]

[ChuckC]

Good catch on the article, Jonathan; thank you.

Northwest is mostly past its Chapter 11 issues. One big issue outstanding is labo(u)r relations which, like other US-flagged carriers, aren't great. I am an NW Platinum and on their planes just about every week, it seems. The crews are generally a bit nicer than most and the aircraft no less uncomfortable.

Perhaps with more competition LHR fares will improve.

Chuck-

[mcmbenjamin]

Originally posted by Darren Wheeler
restore the pay and conditions to the staff [8D]

Are you mad? Delta's staff are still paid and still offer average service.

[Darren Wheeler]

Originally posted by mcmbenjamin

Originally posted by Darren Wheeler
restore the pay and conditions to the staff [8D]

Are you mad? Delta's staff are still paid and still offer average service.

Perhaps it's time for a performance related pay. Mine is, and one day they notice [}:)]

I believe that DL are out of Chapter 11 now- or at least in the very final stages and I would imagine they didnt pay anything for the slots as AF/KLM have "given" them to them. There was a simular moan on A.net about DL releasing another new corporate identity despite being in chap 11- and they guy who moaned got shot down by people saying they were now out.


Interesting stuff though- I wonder how long it will be before CO/NW get Skyteam slots as well. This kind of issue really means that non alliance lined airlines are stuffed. After all VS (and EK) have said there is no need for alliances but this clearly highlights how beneficial belonging to an alliance can be.

[Scrooge]

Now there is an idea..VS and EK forming their own alliance.

Well honestly, I get a feeling that EK couldn't care less, if they can get a plane that will do what they want they will simply overfly LHR.

However here is a pie in the sky thought.

VS buys BMI. VS and EK form an alliance, taking SQ, NZ, DJ and US with them.

NOW we have all the continents covered in some form in both Long Haul and Short without treading on each others toes to much.

[Pete]

Or, VS buys BMI, and form an alliance between VS, VX, DJ, Pacific Blue and Virgin BMI...

Or VS just do what we all know SQ really want them to do and that is join *a and then we are all laughing. On my last count FC had 7 star members as partners 8 when CA join up.


Although I must admit a Virgin led alliance would be good.

Originally posted by Scrooge
Now there is an idea..VS and EK forming their own alliance.

Now that would be perfect! And a very good fit too.

The prospect of direct flights from LHR to ATL is certainly appealing and will offer an attractive alternative 1 stop route to MCO rather than heading down to Gatwick.

Phil FM

Hmmmmmm..... VS and EK? Emirates are partners with CO, and Gulf Air are partners with VS so you have a problem there.

However, VS buying BMI.... That's scary, given the slots they own at LHR. Would be nice to have a VS shorthaul!

However, a VS led alliance of the airlines named above would be great. Would make a mockery of skyteam, and would give oneworld a run for it's money. The best alliance is star alliance, and this is what VS and it's chums need to aim towards

Originally posted by woggledog

However, a VS led alliance of the airlines named above would be great.

Wouldn't it just. Much better than the rather weak links of partners they have currently.

Originally posted by Bean Counter

Originally posted by woggledog

However, a VS led alliance of the airlines named above would be great.

Wouldn't it just. Much better than the rather weak links of partners they have currently.

I don't know I think that SQ and NZ are too very good partner airlines. DL are fantastic on international runs with the new international config in Y- better than VS even. As are MH with their new First and Business class and Hawiaian arent too bad.

[Scrooge]

Oh I forgot about Hawaiian [B)], they do have one of the best products to Hawaii, I should of also thrown Air Tahiti into the mix as their product is what a lot of airlines should aim to be and would also help to cover the Pacific.

Ok so what we have now is...

VS,EK,NZ,Hawaiian, Air Tahiti,DJ and maybe US.

VX is out of the question right now, the DOT would go bat shit if VX formed an alliance with VS, though I would like to see it.

Originally posted by Scrooge
Oh I forgot about Hawaiian [B)], they do have one of the best products to Hawaii, I should of also thrown Air Tahiti into the mix as their product is what a lot of airlines should aim to be and would also help to cover the Pacific.

Ok so what we have now is...

VS,EK,NZ,Hawaiian, Air Tahiti,DJ and maybe US.

VX is out of the question right now, the DOT would go bat shit if VX formed an alliance with VS, though I would like to see it.

Personally I see US as the weak link- prefere DL but cant due to Skyteam links......unlesss [}:)] VS joined Skyteam!


It would actually be a decent alliance- maybe throw in GOL for South American coverage. Gee South Pacific/NZ would be well connected with EK services into AKL and CHC, DJ services into CHC and AKL and Polynesia, NZ services all over the region and Thati services into LAX/SYD/AKL.

[Scrooge]

I agree US would be the weak link, the problem is that with so many high level memebrs any US airline is going to over run the others with reward seat requests, look what happened to VS a couple of years ago when Delta members were allowed to redeem miles on VS.

Wasn't the original plan for Delta to buy United's slots into LHR?

[Scrooge]

No the plan was for DL to buy the rights to fly from JFK to London from UA, this deal would be mute if ever Bermuda II was done away with so allowing DL to fly into LHR as long as they could get slots.

Originally posted by Scrooge

Exactly that is the problem. Sadly VX could never be used- can you imagine the disgust at DoT.