In mid-March, Delta announced that they planned to operate daily nonstop flights between Los Angeles and Beijing as of December 16, 2016. Exactly two weeks later, American announced that they planned to operate daily nonstop flights between Los Angeles and Beijing as of December 16, 2016. Obviously the announcements coming just days apart is no…
Continue reading: The DOT Approves American & Rejects Delta For LAX To Beijing Route
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Yes AA long-haul network at LAX is shaping up very nicely. Add in their GRU and LHR service, they will have a very comprehensive and compelling offering.
Makes one wonder really what DL will or maybe more can can do with their intended large build up at LAX once their terminal move comes to fruition.
More long haul options for those hard to use SWUs out of my home base, I will take it.
Now that AA has a PEK route, I wonder what their next move in the LAX-Asia market will be: LAX-ICN or
LAX-Some secondary Chinese city (like UA is doing out of SFO). Or maybe they will fly PHL or CLT to NRT
Just wondering how AA is gonna get a decent slot at PEK without a partner.
And also wondering if DL is gonna drop the NRT-PVG flight to compete with AA on this route.
The public-side reasoning makes sense. However, too unfortunate for Delta because they were more prepared for that route (first applied, have slots & aircraft to use planned), and their unique SEA - China routes became an argument against them.
Makes sense since DL already has a Pacific Gateway Hub in SEA with a flight to PEK and AA has been making a concerted push to develop LAX into their West Coast Hub and Pacific Gateway.
Why DOJ need to rule whether an airline (Delta, or AA or whoever) can fly this route or that route? Why can they just open it up? If an airline wants to fly a contested route, why not let them, and let them win business on their own merit?
DOT abuse of power, seeking to enforce its version of proper route maps. Unfortunate that the airlines are required to play that game, makes me wonder how corrupt the vetting process was. Especially considering that AA's application seems to have been knee-jerk response to Delta filing their petition.
Of course, but one could also say DL's LAX-PEK was a knee-jerk response to AA's LAX-HKG announcement, the only difference being that AA's intent to eventually apply for LAX-PEK was pretty well-known. It almost seems like DL made that move to preempt AA's buildup at LAX.
I like the decision. My favorite part of the document was when Delta said a reason they should operate the route is that they have better customer service, which would bring in more customers, and therefore revenue. Gotta love politicking and throwing a jab at AA at the same time!
@DallasfortWorthSpotter on IG
@Bob - the US-China bilateral treaty limits the number of airlines that can operate on a given route, and there's only one US carrier authority available for to operate LAX-PEK, so the DOT has to choose who gets the authority to operate the route. In cases where there are no limits, the DOT doesn't interfere and anyone can enter the market.
There are only 2 more slots available USA-China, so NO MORE ROUTES USA-China by any US carrier! HKG has no such limitations - it is shocking that DL does not offer HKG service from any of its other hubs except SEA.
plus, I guess a minor unstated reason is that DL gained MSP-HND from the previous 'battle'.
Hope AA to consider to fly LAX-SIN soon, well ahead of SQ. Also, no direct flight LAX-BKK and LAX-DEL, why doesn't any airline consider to grab these popular routes first?
Seeing a number of new airlines from China, like, Xiamen, Sichuan, start to fly from secondary China cities to LAX. Maybe DL should consider to fly more Chinese cities besides PEK and PVG. The wealthy cities are CAN, SZX, CTU, CKG, TSN. The route might be profitable considered DL's expanded network in US.