It seems Delta is throwing in the towel between Atlanta and Dubai, with the four times a week service due to be withdrawn from February 2016.
Delta 777-200LR Business Interior – Image, RenePoints (Used with permission)
Delta Boeing 777-200LR Interior – Economy Class – Image, Renespoints.
Unsurprisingly, the press release is full of “Its those evil Middle East Three Subsided Airlines” fault that we’re cutting this service. Some choice lines from the release:
The announcement comes amid overcapacity on U.S. routes to the Middle East operated by government-owned and heavily subsidized airlines, and less than a month after Delta reduced service between the world’s busiest airport and the Middle East’s largest hub.
and…
Of the 14 daily flights between the U.S. and Dubai, only two are operated by U.S. carriers.
Wow. Such commitment.
Despite the increase in passengers traveling on these flights, the number whose journeys actually originate or end in the Gulf has essentially remained flat.
Rather telling isn’t it?
The 777-200LR (one of the larger long haul plane Delta operates – Delta still operates Boeing 747-400s) will be redeployed on Transatlantic routes on what the airline calls
“markets where it can compete on a level playing field that’s not distorted by subsidized state-owned airlines.”
Meow.
Interestingly, currently no service between Atlanta and Dubai exists (bar a cargo service). In addition Etihad has no service to Atlanta, and only Qatar Airways will be landing its first service… in July 2016.
So why is the service failing? Apart from being squeezed by the Middle East Three in different locations apart from its fortress hub of Atlanta, firstly, the frequency isn’t what I’d call “inspiring”, where a four time a week service really doesn’t say to me “we’re committed to a route”.
The bigger problem – very little connecting traffic from Dubai. Dubai is pretty much an Emirates fortress hub, serving its own network.
I’m feeling little sympathy for Delta here. There are other routes it can choose to deploy against, and if in the mood – dump extra capacity onto to routes and send it to the Gulf area.
Unfortunately for Delta – Emirates, Etihad and Qatar Airways have got there first and are showing innovative products and a perceived better passenger experience on these long haul routes.
Combined with the onward connectivity and the pricing they can offer – its no surprise really that the Middle East Three are trouncing US airlines between the US and the Middle East.
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MEOW !!! “Poor Richard” when he can’t have it his way he leaves. Telling part of article is the lack of service between ATL and DXB is a result of lack of demand.
haha.. spot on article!
there is no such thing as a level playing field!
wake up, delta! are you a kid?!
@Ghostrider says: “…is a result of lack of demand.” – for an uninspiringhard and soft product when compared to the ME carriers, so pax are chosing them despite having to fly out of another airport!
Delta provides an inferior product and then whines when the ME-3 provide a better customer experience. Just flew Delta One to Europe and it was more like Economy++ than business. Cramped seats and uninspiring food / beverage. Sorry, after 15 years of Delta Business to Amsterdam, my next flight will be on another airline. Even if I have to connect through LHR, CDG or FRA.