Hartsfield Jackson Atlanta International Airport - Page 14

atlantaguy · #**261** Posted **Apr 19, 2007, 11:51 AM**

Yeah, it really has been. This is something I really never thought we would see. Heathrow has only had service from a small handful of U.S. cities for decades. I have no first hand knowledge of this at all, but I would not be surprised to see Delta move all London ops from Gatwick over to Heathrow sometime in the near future.

Tombstoner · #**262** Posted **Apr 19, 2007, 2:21 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by atlantaguy

Yeah, it really has been. This is something I really never thought we would see. Heathrow has only had service from a small handful of U.S. cities for decades. I have no first hand knowledge of this at all, but I would not be surprised to see Delta move all London ops from Gatwick over to Heathrow sometime in the near future.

If they can get enough slots at LHR, it's highly unlikely they will continue flights to LGW. The big advantage of LHR is that it's MUCH better for onward connections than LGW--if both airports can get you to London (if that's your final destination) and one of the airports is vastly better as a point of connection to other Skyteam members' flights elsewhere in Europe/Africa/Middle East, you have no incentive to continue flying to both airports (unless, again, Delta only gets a couple token slots at LHR). The other variable here is quality. Delta has done well at LGW because it is not competing against BA and Virgin. If they are making a run at the LHR market, they're going to have to up their game. Of course, if AA and UA can do it, anyone can...

Turbosloth · #**263** Posted **Apr 21, 2007, 3:11 PM**

BA has flown ATL-LGW for many years, and they do have some onward connections. Delta's success is not because of the lack of competition, but because of the large O&D market ATL-LGW and the feed power from the biggest hub in the world.

STrek777 · #**264** Posted **May 1, 2007, 2:25 PM**

Ladies and Gentlemen I am pleased to present to you the new, DELTA AIR LINES!

http://web01.jetphotos.net/viewphoto.php?id=5967105

SteveD · #**265** Posted **May 1, 2007, 2:32 PM**

New logo and painting scheme looks great! Congrats Delta!!

ThrashATL · #**266** Posted **May 1, 2007, 4:26 PM**

PRETTY sharp... now if the white STAYS white...

Tombstoner · #**267** Posted **May 2, 2007, 11:55 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Turbosloth

BA has flown ATL-LGW for many years, and they do have some onward connections. Delta's success is not because of the lack of competition, but because of the large O&D market ATL-LGW and the feed power from the biggest hub in the world.

BA is not part of SkyTeam--LHR is desirable to DL because other SkyTeam carriers connect from there.
I understand that there is good O&D ATL-LON, but it is a fact that once Delta starts going to LHR, they're going to have to up their game (as they will on their new flights to ICN and DXB). I say "good for them," but don't underestimate the relative superiority of many (not all) non-US carriers.

On the matter of the new livery, I can't say I like it. It's aiming at dignified, but I just find it boring (though I like the red widget and new typeface at the front of the plane). It seems like all airlines are going for very deep colors and plain graphics; a line of aircraft with this new livery will look pretty dull. I liked the billowing cloth motif--very distinctive.

Harry Cane · #**268** Posted **May 2, 2007, 1:29 PM**

I have to admit, I was partial to the flowing fabric myself, but the new livery is growing on me. And the new pics look better than the original leaked ones.

I’m really excited about the changes at DL. I believe service to Prague starts today. Vienna, Seoul and Dubai are next. And in yesterday’s dailies in the ABC, Grinstein was quoted as saying that they plan to seek routes to Hong Kong, Singapore and Sydney. There’s been a great deal of discussion on some of the aviation boards if these will be from Atlanta. There’s also been speculation that they’ll start ATL to Bombay when the new 777LR’s come online next year. What a boost all these routes are for our city.

And I traveled this weekend (back to ATL from a nice beach vacation that went all too fast!). The airport looks really spiffy. The new South Terminal ticketing looks great. And the best is the new floors throughout, particularly in the little train lobbies.

Turbosloth · #**269** Posted **May 3, 2007, 3:04 AM**

Tombstoner, I was responding to your comment about Delta not competing with BA and Virgin (which I guess is true if you emphasize the and). Agreed that there are more opportunities for SkyTeam connections at LHR.

I liked the flowing fabric, too, but if ever there was a time for a symbolic change, it's upon exit from bankruptcy. I like the new design ... very crisp. Although they're not doing the best job getting identity kits out to everyone.

Tombstoner · #**270** Posted **May 3, 2007, 5:36 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Turbosloth

Tombstoner, I was responding to your comment about Delta not competing with BA and Virgin (which I guess is true if you emphasize the and). Agreed that there are more opportunities for SkyTeam connections at LHR.

I liked the flowing fabric, too, but if ever there was a time for a symbolic change, it's upon exit from bankruptcy. I like the new design ... very crisp. Although they're not doing the best job getting identity kits out to everyone.

Sorry, I misread your original post--I didn't know that BA from ATL went to LGW; I assumed it went to LHR and my brain plugged that in when reading your post. I still think LHR will be a new ball game for Delta; there's VS of course, but lots of other carriers too. Most airlines have their best metal and crews on the US-LHR flights. If Delta is going to use 767s (as I imagine they will--some have even speculated that they may use 757s (yes, they can get there

), it may be tough.
I agree that a change is absolutely appropriate, but the new livery just seems somber-to-the-point-of-depressing. Lighten the blue, brighten the red...anything to give it some ummph. It looks like a sympathy card to me...

ThrashATL · #**271** Posted **May 3, 2007, 6:22 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tombstoner

If Delta is going to use 767s (as I imagine they will--some have even speculated that they may use 757s (yes, they can get there

), it may be tough.

757 from ATL to London? I don't think any US airline uses a 757 for international flights, none that I've seen anyway. A 757 is a stretched 737, basically a domestic cattle car for corridor shuttle-ing, hub to hub's and if you like shipping packages, a 757 is a good choice for your company. Man, it would REALLY have to be reconfigured and plush for me to sit 7 hours on one of those uncomfortable tin cans! A damn 3x3 with 29" pitch all the way to London, eeeegads!

Harry Cane · #**272** Posted **May 3, 2007, 6:44 PM**

Actually, CO flies 757s transatlantic from Newark, but only to Northern European cities. The new 757’s DL is getting from AA are equipped to travel longer distances than the current 757’s in DL’s fleet, but they can’t make it ATL-Europe. You’ll probably see those deployed to secondary cities in Europe out of JFK and perhaps to some Latin American destinations out of ATL. To LHR, DL will probably put their largest non-777 metal (those are needed for the longer distances to Tel Aviv, Dubai, Seoul, Tokyo and Bombay from JFK)—the 767-400s which are being refurbished.

More interestingly regarding Delta is the rumor that they might get some additional 777LR’s that were scheduled to go to Air India. I noted earlier this week in the ABC that Grinstein is saying Hong Kong, Singapore and Sydney were in Delta’s plans. Just not sure if it’s out of Atlanta.

akiatl261 · #**273** Posted **May 3, 2007, 6:51 PM**

I think Delta will shortly announce an order for a slew of long haul planes due to there available long haul fleet fastly becoming scarce. I think the order could be heavy on the 777-200LR maybe a few 777-300er which due to the larger than the 200LR would give them the seats needed to truely compete against Virgin/BA 747-400 and A340-600's. But I think the 767-400er is a plane perfect for this route as well and Delta has those now.

Stratosphere 2020 · #**274** Posted **May 3, 2007, 8:08 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by ThrashATL

757 from ATL to London? I don't think any US airline uses a 757 for international flights, none that I've seen anyway. A 757 is a stretched 737, basically a domestic cattle car for corridor shuttle-ing, hub to hub's and if you like shipping packages, a 757 is a good choice for your company. Man, it would REALLY have to be reconfigured and plush for me to sit 7 hours on one of those uncomfortable tin cans! A damn 3x3 with 29" pitch all the way to London, eeeegads!

I flew many times between Amsterdam and New York with a 757 from both Delta and Cotninental Airlines. I believe they have changed to another type of aircraft now.

And many U.S. airlines use the 757 and 737 for flights to the Caribbean and South America.

I know for a fact hat Continental Airlines has flights with a 737 between Houston and Aruba.

Tombstoner · #**275** Posted **May 4, 2007, 12:12 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by ThrashATL

757 from ATL to London? I don't think any US airline uses a 757 for international flights, none that I've seen anyway. A 757 is a stretched 737, basically a domestic cattle car for corridor shuttle-ing, hub to hub's and if you like shipping packages, a 757 is a good choice for your company. Man, it would REALLY have to be reconfigured and plush for me to sit 7 hours on one of those uncomfortable tin cans! A damn 3x3 with 29" pitch all the way to London, eeeegads!

I was thinking JKF-LHR (as others have noted, it won't make it from ATL). Yes, they will be awful it it happens (let's hope it doesn't--it would be a VERY bad PR move for Delta at this critical time).

ATLonthebrain · #**276** Posted **May 4, 2007, 2:26 AM**

Delta has never operated scheduled transatlantic service with a B757, or any narrowbody, for that matter. DC10s, L1011s, 747s, 767s, & 777s is all I can come up with for their International fleet. Of course that will soon change, as the former TW 757s start being deployed.

jmcgoblue · #**277** Posted **May 4, 2007, 5:04 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Harry Cane

More interestingly regarding Delta is the rumor that they might get some additional 777LR’s that were scheduled to go to Air India. I noted earlier this week in the ABC that Grinstein is saying Hong Kong, Singapore and Sydney were in Delta’s plans. Just not sure if it’s out of Atlanta.

If Delta starts nonstop service between ATL & SIN my love for this city will be cemented

The lack of direct connections to Asia has always been a big disappointment to me as I have to travel to SIN fairly regularly. It would be great if DL went full luxury on that rout the was Singapore Airlines does with their non-stop LAX/JFK-SIN routes, but that's probably a little too much to ask of a US-based airline

Harry Cane · #**278** Posted **May 4, 2007, 6:33 PM**

If DL does Singapore from Atlanta, it’ll be on the new 777’s which will feature the new Business Elite product. That’ll have fully flat, private pod beds. Not sure how that compares to Singapore, since I’ve only flown Cathay of all the Asian airlines but still quite nice.

Tombstoner · #**279** Posted **May 5, 2007, 1:42 PM**

Really, Cathay, MAS, Singapore, Thai, even Korean and JAL...they all kick US airliners' butts. I'll be very interested, for instance, in seeing if DL can up its game to compete with KE on the ATL-ICN route. Right now, KE has a spacious 747-400 with AVOD--my seat companion yesterday said he felt like he was in a US carrier's business class! I wouldn't go that far, but it is definitely a huge step up from DL's TATL service in coach. I haven't flown KE in business, but it looks like it compares more favorably to DL's BE. I like DL's service, but if they are going to compete with international airlines, they've got to start looking around and recognize that globalization and Open Skies means that, in a few years, we will be comparing DL to KE rather than just UA or AA. Actually, I think this is a good lesson for Atlanta too. There are so many boosters in this forum that think Atlanta is such an amazing city...it makes me wonder if they've ever been anywhere else (and that's an honest question). Atlanta's okay, but dozens of cities around the world make this place look like an intellectual and cultural backwater and our response is to get excited about a new 40-story condo being built (oh, and trolley that may or may not be built and a light rail loop that may or may not be built).

jmcgoblue · #**280** Posted **May 5, 2007, 3:10 PM**

Yep, I totally agree with you. I think Atlanta is very nice as far as US cities go, but compare it to many international cities and we have a long way to go. A lot of that (IMO) is the fact that most smaller countries tend to concentrate most of their economic and cultural resources into their capital city, whereas the US is so large (both physically and economically) that we tend to be more spread out. Also, the individualisim in this country tends to keep large economic development projects from getting off the ground. In a lot of these other places if the government wants to do something they are going to do it...in the US these capital projects have to go before the voters.

To me, the "model" world city is Singapore. There aren't too many US cities I'd leave Atlanta for, but offer me a good paying job in Singapore and I would be outta here in two weeks, without a doubt

And yes, pretty much ALL of the Asian carriers are better than any US carrier, in all classes of service. I'd add China Airlines, EVA Air and even Garuda Indonesia to your list. Singapore Air's non-stop USA-SIN flights economy class is exclusively "Executive Economy". It's certainly not "Business Class", but the do give you several more inches of leg room and wider seats than you'd typically see in a long-haul economy configuration. I'm pretty frugal, but I'm happy to pay the extra $300 or so for the extra comefort & service on a 17 hour flight. It's not just the comfort of the seats and the in-flight entertainment, but also the attentiveness and friendliness of the flight crews. And I agree with you, if Delta & the others want to compete internationally, they need to improve in the service areas.

Having said all of that, I'm pretty excited about what Delta is trying to do in going after a number of direct routes which aren't serviced by the other US carriers. And if a Delta/NWA merger were to eventually happen, the new company would be the dominant world-wide US airline with direct reach to all of the worlds economic centers.

Sorry, I know a lot of this has nothing to do w/ Hartsfied