Northwest and American couldn’t sustain it …i think Delta more so than United will eventually withdraw

Delta CEO Richard Anderson has publicly stated that Delta was giving Qantas almost 100 passengers a day (on average). Given that the 777 in the Delta configuration only holds 268, Delta only has to attract 30-40 more pax a day to pass 50% load factors…..then throw in peak travel times/heavy demand…..then throw in cargo. And this is a relatively high yield market for Delta compared to other places they compete (ie., the North Atlantic). Finally, Delta now (with Northwest) has a huge Pacific prescence to go with their extensive U.S. domestic network (much more expansive than Northwest’s.

Meanwhile Qantas is in the process of introducing the A380 into service….which has roughly 100 more seats than the 744, and they are losing 100 pax a day, and facing new competition which is sure to depress yields.

V is a boutique operation for Branson and UAL is on life support. I see UAL not only exiting this market, but eventually exiting the marketplace altogether.

Its also very interesting that the article that spawned this thread was about a 777 delivery.