Icelandair has announced its newest destination in the United States, and it seems like a logical enough add to the carrier’s network.
Continue reading: Icelandair Launching Detroit Flights In 2023
Share your questions, experiences, and thoughts below.
It would sure be nice if this was a year-round flight as it would force Delta to drop the very high airfares to London, Paris and Amsterdam.
It can be considerably cheaper flying to Chicago or Toronto on one ticket and then a second ticket on Delta out of Chicago or Toronto in business-class or premium-economy –– often connecting right back in Detroit –– than simply originating in Detroit. $200 isn't worth the hassle. Sometimes it's thousands.
For a long time BA had at DTW-LHR route, not sure when they dropped it - maybe mid-2000s? Had friends who took that to go to London or elsewhere in Europe and avoid having to stop on the east coast or backtrack to Chicago.
Yup, dropped it in 2007, had operates it for 50 years, apparently.
https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna20873072
What are the ties between Detroit and a) Lufthansa and b) Royal Jordanian?
Lufthansa because Germany and Detroit are Automotive Hubs?
But Jordan and Detroit?
Largest concentrated Muslim community in the US, I believe, is Dearborn and surrounding communities.
Lufthansa - US headquarters of several German companies based in Detroit, ie Continental, Bosch.
RJ - significant Arab American population in Detroit, especially Lebanese and Iraqi.
I think Icelandair will do well. When WOW flew to DTW, it was successful. It was one of the last routes cut in liquidation.
It is certain that Delta will start at least summer service from DTW to KEF. They could use a 757 but might use their new A321NEOs which are ETOPS rated (specifically for Hawaii).
Whether it actually changes anything for FI's long term prospects or not, DL doesn't let interlopers into its hubs go unchallenged.
Actually, not just Muslim. The Detroit area has the largest Arab/Middle Eastern population per capita outside the Middle East.
If so, that would be significant. DTW doesn't seem to get much love from Delta these days.
DL can be finicky with fleet placement, and may not have the A32Ns insured for TATL routes (a la 763s for TPAC prior to the late '00s). Not that that can't be changed with a cheque, but doubtful for a single marginal route.
BA linked their DTW flight to IAH to try to save it as well, as that airport was still restricted to LGW due to Bermuda II, back in the day. Gave their IAH premium traffic a direct 1stop to LHR. Didn't last though.
This leaves ATL, DFW, and IAH as the only other markets larger than DTW to lack a low cost European carrier.
The legal and regulatory stuff all flows from where Delta chooses to fly. They are not interested in flying 8+ hour routes with the A321NEOs but they have never said they couldn't or wouldn't use domestically configured aircraft on shorter routes. And they still use 757s to Iceland so can do that from DTW as easily as they can from other cities.
In addition Air France operates daily DTWCDG in partnership with Delta. Currently using B777.
Major problem for Iceland Air is that they have no partners and are not part of an alliance and are not cheap enough compared to other carriers.
… And Delta just announced DTW - KEF which will launch 3 days before Icelandair, lol.