DL Oct 8th

[Ace757]

Does anyone know what the Delta OCT 8th Announcement is. I havent seen any posts on it. I figured this site would be flooded with them by now

 

[bladeusa]

MAYBE THIS IS IT...!!!!
LOL



Song Makes It Easy to Enjoy Gourmet Offerings


Innovative Low-Fare Service Offers Industry First: Pre-Order Meal Service

Visit flysong.com to Plan In-Flight Dining Experience

ATLANTA, Oct. 8 /PRNewswire/ -- Song(TM), Delta Air Lines' new service developed to change customer expectations for high-quality, low-fare air travel, announced today that it will offer pre-order meals on all of Song's 142 daily flights.

Available now, Song customers visiting www.flysong.com up to 12 hours prior to their flights will be able to access Song's popular gourmet in-flight menu and order selections for their travel dining. The diverse menu, created by Song Consulting Executive Chef Michel Nischan and executed by Gate Gourmet, a worldwide leader in airline catering, includes breakfast, lunch, dinner and snack options such as Stonyfield Farms Organic Yogurt, "Rock 'n' Roll" Veggie Sushi, a Niman Ranch Roast Beef Fajita Wrap, Shaved Turkey on Foccacia, and an Asian Chicken Salad.

 

[Ace757]

WOW! That was some big news. Sure glad I got up early this morning to look for it

 

[AV8700]

The EMB 170 is sitting on the Mercury ramp in Atlanta. We tried to take a look at the airplane but were stopped by DL corporate security.

 

[lowecur]

A8700

Obviously DL still has interest. Looks like we'll have to wait till they make the 100 seater announcement, probably sometime before the 1st of the year. Mgt and DALPA meeting should offer some clarity in the next couple of weeks. Discussion of how DL is going to get furlough's back in their seats will be part of the meeting.

Wonder why the ramp at Mercury? You sure they were DL security?

 

[MDPilot]

This is the only info I could find (from Delta News Network)


Embraer demos new aircraft 5:30 p.m. 10/08/03

Embraer gave Delta and Delta Connection Inc. leaders a preview of a new aircraft as part of Embraer’s world tour, stopping this week in Atlanta and showcasing the newly developed 170,175,190, and 195 series jets. DL has made no decision to purchase the aircraft from Embraer.

“We always welcome the opportunity to review new aircraft as we consider Delta’s future needs,” said Mel Fauscett, managing director- Fleet Planning and Acquisitions. “We also continue to evaluate the viability of a 100-seat aircraft for inclusion in Delta’ fleet, but have not yet made a decision to purchase such an aircraft.” Technical experts from Embraer provided a viewing on Wednesday at Mercury Airfield. On Thursday, Delta leaders and pilot representatives will participate in flight demos.

 

[lowecur]

mdpilot

Thanks for the post.

That really puts it all in perspective on the DL 100 seater possibility. It will be interesting to hear what comes out of the DALPA contract talks in 10 days. I know this is only the first meeting, but DALPA will certainly bring up the furlough's.

The 100 seater selling point (provided they will maintain asm), will be more pilots back to work as the 732's, 733's, and MD88's are retired over a 5 to 6 year period of bringing the 100 seater on line.

 

[rjcap]

We also continue to evaluate the viability of a 100-seat aircraft for inclusion in Delta’ fleet, but have not yet made a decision to purchase such an aircraft.

Doesn't sound like DL is committed to a 100 seat aircraft at this time.

Nothing will happen until the mainline contract is renegotiated.

 

[General Lee]

Well, I think there would be an order made, otherwise there would be no slots for new orders. We know they want a new 100 seater, so now it is up to them to negotiate. I think something will be worked out. I believe there will eventually be some sort of paycuts, but with strings attached. We shall see. In the line I never did hear anything about a specific statement to be made on "Oct 8th."(only on this board)

Bye Bye--General Lee

 

[FDJ2]

Re: mdpilot

Thanks for the post.

The 100 seater selling point (provided they will maintain asm), will be more pilots back to work as the 732's, 733's, and MD88's are retired over a 5 to 6 year period of bringing the 100 seater on line.

lowecur, you might be right about the 732's and 733's, but I'd be willing to bet that the MD88's will be around for some time to come.

On a separate note, as far as the Emb being the aircraft of choice, I don't necessarily think that is a done deal. Apparently Boeing has done a 180 with respect to its treatment of DAL post 9-11, also DAL is scheduled to receive 60 or 70 738's in the next few years, many of which can be converted to 736 orders. The parts, maintenance, training and efficiency of a larger single type serving various size markets is very attractive to DAL management. I wouldn't rule more Boeings out of the picture.

 

[Heavy Set]

Ace757,

Who the heck created the October 8th announcement rumor? Who was your source? I realize this is a rumor board but someone is pulling your chain...

 

[Ace757]

I don't know. People have been talking about what it could be for the past week, so I was just wondering what the news was.

 

[lowecur]

FDJ12

If you're in the camp that believes that a significant number of 100 seaters (at least 150) will be acquired, then I believe the MD88's will be retired. DL has very few 732 & 733's (maybe 40), and close to 100 MD88's. If DL only plans on buying fifty 100 seaters, then maybe you're correct, and these will replace only the 732's and 3's.

If you're in the camp of the 738 only, then I think you may only see the older 757's and MD88's retired, plus all the 732's & 3's.

Management seems to be taking a reactive approach at present. There answer to FL is the CRJ's. I'd be interested to hear how the load factors match up from BUF/ROC to ATL with the CRJ's against the 717. I know if I had the choice between the CRJ's and 717, I'd be on the 717. B6 has already stated that they plan to use the 190 mainly on the East Coast. They will take delivery of 6-10 in 05, and 18 per year thereafter. The 190 will eat the lunch of both a/c as far as economics, ergonomics, and in flight entertainment.

Also, how does Song evolve? Are they just going to continue with 757's? Of course not. They need to compete with FL's 717's, and B6 190's. Will the 736 (122 seats) fill the bill? So far it's been a dud.

The real wild cards in all this, is what happens with ACA and how will Virgin America evolve? If JONO has his way, then this will not be a problem for DL. However, if both ACA and Branson enter the LCC market on the East Coast, what a/c will they use to compete? If either buys the EMB product, then this further complicates DL's future.

What would you do if you were management?

 

[lowecur]

heavy set

The Oct 8th deal was started by a poster on the Yahoo Board. I don't recall how it got over here, it may have been me or someone else.

In any case, I believe management wanted to squash that rumor once and for all with the in-office news release today on the 170. Maybe someone had heard the 170 was coming for a road show, and thought it was for the 100 seater announcement. In any case, it's clear that the announcement (if any) is a ways off.

 

[General Lee]

Lowecur,

I disagree with some of your analysis. The MD-88s have leases that cannot be broken, and they will probably stay for 5-10 more years. We have almost 50 737-200's I believe, and 17 737-300s on the West Coast (SLC), and 9 737-300Gs (Glass) on the Shuttle. I remember reading somewhere that Delta once thought about getting rid of the 737-300s on the West Coast, but changed their mind after they signed a long contract with Flight Safety for sims that they cannot break....

I think the future 100 seaters will replace the 737-200s first, and then maybe the older MD-88s as their leases expire. The 737-800s will probably do most of the hub flying---connecting medium sized cities to ATL and CVG, along with the 100 seater. The 757s (120 of them)--will probably go to Song and do mostly point to point, mostly avoiding the hubs. Then there will still be the 1000 or so RJs that connect the hubs to the smaller cites.

As far as the widebodies---I think the 777s will stay on the ATL--NRT route, and do Europe. The 767-400s will still do Hawaii and some larger West Coast cities, but also start Europe since the crew rest seat was installed. The 767ERs will do Europe and South America, and the 767-200s and 767-300 DOM will do the carribbean and Florida. (along with some 737-800s to smaller latin America cities). That is my guess, but you could be right too.

Bye Bye--General Lee

 

[FDJ2]

Re: FDJ12

lowecur, just as a matter of background, as of June 30th Delta owned 4 737-200s and leased 48, Delta leased 26 737-300s owned 71 737-800s with 61 firm orders, some of which can be changed to 600/700 orders, Delta has a fleet of 121 757s with options for 20 more, Delta owned 63 MD88s, leased 57 MD88s and owns 16 MD88s.

Now for some speculation, the MD88/90's will not be replaced by the new hundred seater which will be flown by the mainline, the 737-200s and 300s are gone, the 800's will stick around and grow. Song is currently scheduled to fly 36 757s out of a fleet of 121, but that will grow in number, but I doubt it will encompass the entire 757 fleet, perhaps about 50-60 airframes. Delta has already announced and is implementing it's Florida strategy and it is to replace the Express 737-200s with Song 757s and replace CMR with Chautauqua in MCO. There will be a significant 100 seater order and it quite possibly will not be the EMB, or the 717, which DAL would very much like to have become an orphan. The new order could very likely be the 600/700, due to the large cost savings associated with a large common fleet type and the ability to change existing 800 orders.

Of course this is all purely speculation, derived from a murky crystal ball and a few tossed chicken bones from my KFC dinner.

 

[MedFlyer]

I wouldn't get too excited about the meeting with management next week. I imagine the meeting is more for show than getting anything done. DALPA has every incentive to stall the talks for as long as possible to milk the current contract for all its worth.

As for the 100 seater, they would replace the 732 and maybe the 733. I certainly hope DL doesn't replace the MD88/90 with it as that would be a major cut in capacity. However, even with concessions, I don't see how DL can afford to be financing so many planes.

General,

Do you really think Song can expand to all 121 757's? I don't know if there are enough point to point routes out there that can fill a plane that big on a regular basis. Sure, during the peak months you can fill boatloads of 757's to Florida, but what about the off-peak months? Song's LF for Sept barely cleared 50%....that's pretty dismal. DL had better do more to market Song or it won't last long.

 

[jetblue320]

General,

Do you really think Song can expand to all 121 757's? I don't know if there are enough point to point routes out there that can fill a plane that big on a regular basis. Sure, during the peak months you can fill boatloads of 757's to Florida, but what about the off-peak months? Song's LF for Sept barely cleared 50%....that's pretty dismal. DL had better do more to market Song or it won't last long.

Wow, I thought the loads were higher than that? I mean, flying to ALL 3 NY airports and all.

General, just teasing you about all 3 airports but seriously, were the loads that low? And for what period, September? We all know that this is indeed a slow period across the board but 50% is not good for sure regardless.

 

[Dizel8]

"Mullin said its low-fare carrier, Song, launched earlier this year, was doing well, although it too had experienced a slowdown last month because it introduced more capacity.

"We introduced a tremendous amount of capacity in September during a low period, so our numbers might not be quite as good in September. But looking ahead, we'll bounce right back as the leisure markets open up in late October, November," he said.

The carrier would probably expand, but he did not expect it to be more than 10 percent of Delta, which has some 550 aircraft.

"I would see some expansion of it, but I think that Song being much more than 10 percent of Delta would be a stretch," he added."

General,

What is your take on these statements? Not trying to start a fight, just curious, after all, Song is intended to take away from jetBlue, but with Song being part of DAL, the numbers are not known. Numbers us "Moonies" would love to know, for obvious reasons

Thanks,

D8

 

[NYRANGERS]

ADVERTISING

I think a big part of the problem for Song is advertising, or better said....lack thereof. I can only assume that Delta is waiting for Song to get the IFE installed before they start a big ad campaign.

I am curious what the jetBlue loads were when they first started up. That might shed some light on the Song situation. Song grew fast with zero advertising.....I have seen some good American, Northwest and Frontier ads lately, maybe Delta and Song are next, who knows.

One of our recalls reported that management (JK) said that Airtran and jetBlue were getting a premium on some of our overlapping flights. According to JK, people assume that Airtran and JB have cheaper fares and many don't check the majors to compare. The question begs.......who's fault is that?

With regards to load factors, I think that a 100 seat jet will be a part of Song and Delta. You can't use a 757 to compete with the LCC's in all the markets they serve. I would assume a 100 seater with IFE will come to both Delta and Song.

Anyway, thanks for reading my ramblings. Hope everyone is doing well,

NYR

Opening night 10/10