Over the years, we’ve seen airlines massively expand their summer schedules to Europe, given the increasing trend of Americans taking at least one summer trip across the Atlantic. Along those lines, Delta executives have made some interesting comments this week, which reflect a new reality that US airlines are dealing with.
In this post:
Delta had a disappointing summer across the Atlantic
On September 11, 2025, Delta President Glen Hauenstein spoke at a Morgan Stanley Event, and revealed that Europe service was the company’s “worst performing entity in the third quarter” (which almost completely overlaps with the calendar definition of summer). That would obviously come as a huge surprise to many people, so what’s driving this weakness? Well, a couple of things…
First of all, Hauenstein explained that “July and August have not been the peak months that they once were in terms of high-end leisure into Europe.” Indeed, family travel to Europe has increasingly shifted heavily to June, while a lot of non-family travel has increasingly shifted to September and October, to avoid the peak. The airline is seeing “a big sequential improvement” in performance across the Atlantic for October, for example.
In July and August, Europe is most expensive (in terms of accommodations) and also hottest, and that’s something that many people are trying to avoid. So I think many travelers are just wisening up.
Second of all, the weakness in Europe comes down to weakness in economy demand. While premium leisure demand remains strong, yields in economy have gone down a bit from their peak. So Hauenstein emphasized that weakness “was all in the main cabin,” and that “premium products across the board are continuing to perform,” and that “within every entity, premium is leading in terms of unit revenues.”
Delta claims that most of its profits are coming from premium travel right now, stating that “you have the high end producing returns, and you have the main cabin really essentially not producing returns that are acceptable.”
So Delta is trying to rationalize capacity in economy, but Hauenstein notes that “we don’t need main cabin to be positive to post positive returns,” and “that’s what we’re seeing now, main cabin is still negative.” The good news for Delta is that weakness in economy demand is partly being offset by improving corporate sales numbers, and Delta claims it had its “highest post-pandemic corporate sales number for any day and any week in this September.”
A longer European season is ultimately good for airlines
The weakening of July and August across the Atlantic is in some ways good for airlines. The airline industry is a tough business, especially given the lack of ability to massively shift capacity (in terms of aircraft, staffing, etc.) based on demand.
For so long, airlines essentially had to design fleet and staffing needs around those peak summer months. That was good in the sense that those months were profitable, but then it was tricky to figure out what to do with those planes in the late summer and early fall, when demand fell greatly.
Having Europe demand be more spread out across six months or so (April through October) is much better than having is just be so heavily focused on a couple of peak months. This is why we’re also increasingly seeing airlines extend their seasonal routes in Europe, to be much longer than in the past.
On this topic, I have to say, I always find the narrative of what constitutes a profitable route to be quite interesting. Delta is the most profitable airline in the United States (though no longer the most profitable in the world), and is incredibly well run. No one disputes that.
Delta had a net income of $4.7 billion in 2024. However, over the course of the year, the cost per available seat mile was 19.3 cents, while the passenger revenue per available seat mile was 17.65 cents. In the end, total revenue per available seat mile was 21.37 cents.
So yeah, Delta is losing a pretty penny (and actually has worse margins than United) if you were to simply compare passenger revenue per available seat mile to cost per available seat mile. But it’s everything else that Delta makes money on (especially its loyalty program), and that leads to the healthy profits.
It sure seems like it can be tough to figure out how to allocate those profits to particular flights. So it’s funny how during the same conference, Hauenstein stated how Europe was Delta’s “worst performing entity in the third quarter, although very profitable still.”
Airline math is just funny, eh? Delta doesn’t really generate many direct profits transporting customers, yet the carrier’s least profitable entity was still “very profitable.”
Bottom line
Despite the popularity of traveling to Europe in summer, Delta executives have reported that Europe was the carrier’s worst performing entity in the third quarter. This largely comes down to less Europe demand in July and August, and weaker economy demand.
The weaker economy demand isn’t surprising, and I’d argue that less of an emphasis on July and August is actually good for airlines, since it allows them to have a longer and more consistent schedule. We’re increasingly seeing American families travel to Europe in June, while those without kids in school travel in April, May, September, October, etc.
What do you make of Delta’s Europe weakness in summer?
This shift in demand is definitely anecdotally aligned with my own thinking. We went to the south of France for a week at the start of July and the hotel prices were absurd. Just to get passable (for us) hotel options everything was well over 1,200 euros a night. Four Seasons and other luxury options were sold out of regular rooms.
I definitely won't be looking at July or August options for a Europe...
This shift in demand is definitely anecdotally aligned with my own thinking. We went to the south of France for a week at the start of July and the hotel prices were absurd. Just to get passable (for us) hotel options everything was well over 1,200 euros a night. Four Seasons and other luxury options were sold out of regular rooms.
I definitely won't be looking at July or August options for a Europe trip next year as a result. I'm happy to travel in the shoulder seasons or potentially earlier in June as we don't have any restrictions on convenient times since we don't have kids.
A couple of thoughts:
1. Nothing about reduced European demand for travel to the US?
2. Airlines have been so good at making their economy class an unpleasant and undesirable product that now nobody wants to buy it. And it turns out that when this is most of the plane, you need people to buy it.
Europe is a dying continent.
They have let in millions of low IQ third worlders that murder and sa the women and children of that continent.
Wow. Sounds like you're talking about America, yes?
Tell me you’re a racist without… (never mind, AndyS clearly a racist based on posting history)
You are sadly right, as a European. Germany, Italy, France, and Britain are declining from riches to rags !
There has been a fundamental geopolitical change that inevitably affects travel for leisure. Most Europeans do not consider anymore the USA under the Trump2 administration as a "Western" country. And the feeling could be reciprocated by the US citizens who voted president Trump in.
I have travelled to the USA more than 40 times and I have visited (spent at least a night) all the 48 contiguous US states. Since our retirement, my wife and...
There has been a fundamental geopolitical change that inevitably affects travel for leisure. Most Europeans do not consider anymore the USA under the Trump2 administration as a "Western" country. And the feeling could be reciprocated by the US citizens who voted president Trump in.
I have travelled to the USA more than 40 times and I have visited (spent at least a night) all the 48 contiguous US states. Since our retirement, my wife and I have visited the USA at least once a year with the exception of 2020/2021 because of Covid. 2025 will be the first year in which we will not have flown to the USA out of our own choice.
“highest post-pandemic corporate sales number for any day and any week in this September.”
This statement from DL Corp is a big red flag to me on what the sales story actually is… so easy to line up a few sales into one week to get an outlier statistic to bloat about. These guys are good at overstating everything… I just don’t trust them even if they do deliver a good profit in the end.
or, perhaps, corporate sales really is strong and more than offsets whatever decline TATL economy is seeing.
when you approach facts w/ the belief that you know better than someone else, you are bound to be proven wrong.
DL said it made its guidance but the pieces of the puzzle game together differently than they were expecting.
No individuals with ethics or a conscience is traveling into the United States at the moment. This includes many people from civilised European countries such as Spain, Ireland and Belgium.
Travel between Europe and the US is driven by two way demand, not just fat and Loud Americans going on their hop on hop off bus holidays in Europe.
Europe is dying.
That's what happens when you let in millions of low IQ third worlders.
NO SURPRISE!
…. THANKS to a President in a Country that “was” a favorite for European Tourists, is falling deeply as a favorite destination now.
USA keeps forgetting, that it’s cheaper, safer, as interesting and more predictable to fly to the Middle East, Africa or Asia for Europeans, instead of any US destination!
Value for money plus the insecurity that Trump spread all over with ignoring approved US Tourist Visas, decline Visa...
NO SURPRISE!
…. THANKS to a President in a Country that “was” a favorite for European Tourists, is falling deeply as a favorite destination now.
USA keeps forgetting, that it’s cheaper, safer, as interesting and more predictable to fly to the Middle East, Africa or Asia for Europeans, instead of any US destination!
Value for money plus the insecurity that Trump spread all over with ignoring approved US Tourist Visas, decline Visa applications (cost as of Sep2025, US$185,-) people don’t like to WASTE money like this for a Country that’s just not reliable!
I don’t think, it’s entirely DELTA’s fault!
I bet, ALL airlines with heavy US traffic suffer these days!
Who enjoys, trying to have a vacation, but counting on the insecurity of a Country, if you’re allowed to visit or not, even with a valid Visa?!
… plus, a country that’s so far behind in “TRANSIT” traffic (do to an outdated travel flow rule = Entry rule for EVERYBODY, even Transit passengers) it’s a lame duck for US airlines too! Missing transit traffic!
… i’d say, mostly 1 person only to blame for all the negative development at US airlines! Those who watch careful, know who is to blame for it all.
USA as a destination in tourism, … on the way DOWN.
Value for money plus the spread hatreate from 1 President, NEGATIVITY all over, so it’s no surprise that airlines with a big European presence are doing worse now.
in your "analysis" don't forget that DL said it would meet the upper end of the range of its guidance so whatever weakness that might have existed in economy TATL flights was more than offset by strength somewhere else.
Until we know where that somewhere else is, it is probably a bit premature to shed political light on it.
Could have been domestic but it could have been other global regions or could have been that TATL premium demand offset TATL economy demand.
Tim, let us face the facts. No U.S. airline will ever be an attractive option for travellers starting their journey from the right side of the pond. Very few who are Asia bound, travel via the U.S. Of those who choose the westward passage, pond and Pacific jumping will be carried out onboard European and Asian aircraft for obvious reasons …. the airlines are much better.
Of the U.S. airlines who do carry European...
Tim, let us face the facts. No U.S. airline will ever be an attractive option for travellers starting their journey from the right side of the pond. Very few who are Asia bound, travel via the U.S. Of those who choose the westward passage, pond and Pacific jumping will be carried out onboard European and Asian aircraft for obvious reasons …. the airlines are much better.
Of the U.S. airlines who do carry European passengers, they only do so because of their European code share partners. Discerning passengers are not so brainwashed or points dependent as our U.S. counterparts.
I also think that Europe is getting too crowded during the summer and many European areas do not want the tourists.
Sadly, far too many summer travellers have swallowed that analogy. Those who know, know better than to follow the social media false news.
Europe is super overrated. And not cost effective.
I’m just about to head to a small coastal town near Barcelona. Paid $450 roundtrip in coach. Nice beachfront hotel for $105/night. $3 for a glass of wine, $2 for a beer, $15 for a three course fine dining lunch. $65 to rent a Volvo XC50 for a week. $20 for a month of public transport. If that’s not cost effective, what is?
Either you're looking at pre-pandemic prices or you have a very relaxed definition of fine dining :) 15 USD is around 12€, you can barely get a lunch deal for that price in most of Europe and there's no place in the EU where that money gets you even one fine dining course.
Of course Europe is still a great value considering all it offers and the world's best services, but it's not *that* cheap.
tony, I think you my find it a tad more expensive than that, especially for 'fine dining'! However I agree that there are heaps of great value locations in Europe outside of the major cities.
You're going to all the wrong places if you're looking for outsized value for your dollar.
I’m curious if the Delta Team considered that their economy cabin may also be priced too high vs. the competition.
we will find out by the end of October/first of November when not just the big 3 will report but also when most of the European carriers will also report.
And note that DL said that its revenues and profits are in line with their previous guidance which was given at the beginning of the 3rd quarter so if TATL was weak, then something else was much bigger to offset. Given the size of DL's...
we will find out by the end of October/first of November when not just the big 3 will report but also when most of the European carriers will also report.
And note that DL said that its revenues and profits are in line with their previous guidance which was given at the beginning of the 3rd quarter so if TATL was weak, then something else was much bigger to offset. Given the size of DL's TATL network, it would have to be much stronger domestic revenue to make that much difference.
Ok! Tim, what percentage of DL’s revenue comes from European passengers?
1% …. 0.5% …. 0.05% .. or .. 0.005%?
Are European passengers even recorded separately from their U.S. counterparts?
Likewise, how do Asian/Oz/NZ passengers fair by comparison on west bound DL routes from the USA?
Aero,
for the 2nd quarter, DL had almost $2.9 billion in TATL revenue and has said that about 80% comes from the US, so somewhere around $500 million from Europe.
TATL includes Africa.
I have not seen recent data on US carrier penetration of specific TPAC markets. The US military presence in Japan and S. Korea helps US carriers there.
Maybe make your sky Pesos easier to use so people will want to earn them? Have you thought of that?
Europe has become Algeria. It’s fallen and will never get back up.
Huh? I just moved from Texas to Valencia, Spain. How is Europe like Algeria? I’ve been having an amazing time.
O’Connor …. with a name like that it explains everything.
Europe has not “fallen”. I don’t even know how people can say such odd things.
The reduced European demand to US, first of all, is not that significant. Most countries only had single digit dips. Secondly, most Europeans fly European carriers. So the amount of impact would be marginal on US carriers.
What is interesting is that this means TPAC performed better than TATL in Q3.
DL didn't say enough to know exactly where the problem is but I suspect it is a combination of reduced travel from Europe along w/ pricing that was too aggressive in the late summer when US demand begins to weaken.
And, yes, the Pacific is hot which is why DL is willing to take on UA in LAX-HKG and clearly is not being pulled down by what looks like a weak route like SEA-TPE -...
DL didn't say enough to know exactly where the problem is but I suspect it is a combination of reduced travel from Europe along w/ pricing that was too aggressive in the late summer when US demand begins to weaken.
And, yes, the Pacific is hot which is why DL is willing to take on UA in LAX-HKG and clearly is not being pulled down by what looks like a weak route like SEA-TPE - whether it is really weak for DL or not.
we'll find out in about a month how the numbers stack up but 98% of Q3international revenue is already flown or booked at this point
you won't let it go, Ben, will you?
AA, DL and UA all use the same business plan of getting revenue from transportation and non-transportation sources.
DL has managed to build its relationship with Amex into the highest revenue airline loyalty program in the world.
AA and UA have simply failed to achieve what DL has done but they do operate the same plans.
And let's also not forget that DL has led...
you won't let it go, Ben, will you?
AA, DL and UA all use the same business plan of getting revenue from transportation and non-transportation sources.
DL has managed to build its relationship with Amex into the highest revenue airline loyalty program in the world.
AA and UA have simply failed to achieve what DL has done but they do operate the same plans.
And let's also not forget that DL has led the industry in paying higher wages since covid; UA, in complete contrast, has 6 amendable labor contracts with all of its large non-pilot unionized groups. UA's labor costs would be alot higher if their employees stopped drinking Kirby's rah-rah koolaid and realized the execs are laughing all the way to the bank at the expense of tens of thousands of UA employees.
and specific to the Atlantic, DL clearly doesn't see the shift in demand including resistance from Europeans as being permanent since they are still growing TATL next year, net of what will be a few cancellations that happen every year.
DL is the financial leader of the industry because it speaks to what professional analysts want to hear and what is really going on in the industry and not endlessly talking about killing off its competitors.
other airlines will say the same things or be asked by Wall Street about what they are seeing - and, as long as they are publicly traded, they have to answer truthfully.
That told’em Tim, how accurate your argument is could be anyone’s guess.
Although DL are miles ahead of UA and the languishing AA in the World Rankings, without their brainwashed American patronage, all three would soon disappear into obscurity on the world stage.
it's not even a question of product
It is a question of accuracy in discussion.
Ben simply cannot lecture us about free speech and then blatantly make statements that are materially false and expect people to take him seriously.
AA, DL and UA all operate w/ the exact same business model except for the refinery which is exclusively DL's thing and which they specifically exclude from some data presentations so that analysts can compare...
it's not even a question of product
It is a question of accuracy in discussion.
Ben simply cannot lecture us about free speech and then blatantly make statements that are materially false and expect people to take him seriously.
AA, DL and UA all operate w/ the exact same business model except for the refinery which is exclusively DL's thing and which they specifically exclude from some data presentations so that analysts can compare airline performance.
The whole PRASM vs. profit non-sense is yet another failed attempt by UA's fan brats that can't admit that UA really does not deliver best-in-class performance where it counts even w/ over 50K UA employees that have yet to see their pay raised while AA, DL and WN and many LCCs have raised their employees' pay even through collective bargaining.
@ Tim Dunn -- "Ben simply cannot lecture us about free speech and then blatantly make statements that are materially false and expect people to take him seriously."
What false statements did I make?
Stating that PRASM minus full costs is what matters is materially false, Ben.
Just ditch this tired narrative about PRASM minus full costs.
IF you want to compare TRASM minus full costs, go for it. and then stage length adjust for it as Cranky does to provide a meaningful comparison.
AA, DL and UA operate the same business model other than the refinery. Picking out parts of the equation but not the rest is simply...
Stating that PRASM minus full costs is what matters is materially false, Ben.
Just ditch this tired narrative about PRASM minus full costs.
IF you want to compare TRASM minus full costs, go for it. and then stage length adjust for it as Cranky does to provide a meaningful comparison.
AA, DL and UA operate the same business model other than the refinery. Picking out parts of the equation but not the rest is simply inaccurate.
Or else stick to qualitative comparisons. but don't butcher data like some of your readers do and then expect people not to call you on it
Tim Dunn says, "Stating that PRASM minus full costs is what matters"
That would be wrong if he said it, but he didn't.
Delta has built brand loyalty over a long period of time and is reaping the benefits. UA started later in 2016 when Kirby showed up and is catching DL as evidenced by various metrics including market cap. With the airlines' very different growth plans/opportunities it is not unreasonable to predict UA...
Tim Dunn says, "Stating that PRASM minus full costs is what matters"
That would be wrong if he said it, but he didn't.
Delta has built brand loyalty over a long period of time and is reaping the benefits. UA started later in 2016 when Kirby showed up and is catching DL as evidenced by various metrics including market cap. With the airlines' very different growth plans/opportunities it is not unreasonable to predict UA will eventually pass DAL in ways other than just passenger profitability (PRASM - CASM).
UA: 1,050 aircraft, (227 WB), 187 WB/488 NB on order, 15.6 average fleet age
DA: 992 aircraft, (177 WB), 28 WB/240 NB on order, 14.9 average fleet age
AA: 1,000 aircraft, (134 WB), 22 WB/280 NB on order, 14.1 average fleet age
this is exactly what Ben said
However, over the course of the year, the cost per available seat mile was 19.3 cents, while the passenger revenue per available seat mile was 17.65 cents. In the end, total revenue per available seat mile was 21.37 cents.
CASM is the FULL COST. PRASM is passenger revenue only.
It is absolutely incorrect to compare PRASM to full costs unless you believe that airlines have no costs to...
this is exactly what Ben said
However, over the course of the year, the cost per available seat mile was 19.3 cents, while the passenger revenue per available seat mile was 17.65 cents. In the end, total revenue per available seat mile was 21.37 cents.
CASM is the FULL COST. PRASM is passenger revenue only.
It is absolutely incorrect to compare PRASM to full costs unless you believe that airlines have no costs to their loyalty programs and those loyalty programs could exist w/o the airline that sponsors them.
and your comparison about fleet sizes and orders is yet another data piece that you want to fixate on to avoid the reality that UA is simply much less profitable per unit of capacity or revenue even w/ a huge labor cost advantage.
Actual fleet deliveries matters and not orders. DL has received more widebodies over the past two years than any other US airline. DL carries the most US domestic revenue on its own metal than any other airline. DL is simply not trying to fix its lack of a domestic network or hanging on to old widebodies like UA is doing for FOMO.
No, he absolutely did not say it was ‘what’ matters to the exclusion of all else. In fact, he also pointed out where Delta made money as the most profitable airline, but the airline operation is the foundation from which those other revenues/profits are built over the long term.
The world and the airline biz are a bit more gray and change is the only constant. Those lead times for aircraft deliveries are LONG, and the trend is definitely UA’s friend.
No, he absolutely did not say it was ‘what’ matters to the exclusion of all else. In fact, he also pointed out where Delta made money as the most profitable airline, but the airline operation is the foundation from which those other revenues/profits are built over the long term.
The world and the airline biz are a bit more gray and change is the only constant. Those lead times for aircraft deliveries are LONG, and the trend is definitely UA’s friend.
whether he said it is what matters or not, it is an incorrect comparison.
No professional analyst or industry observer compares partial revenue to full costs.
It is a failed attempt by a handful of UA fans that are trying desperately to avoid admitting that UA failed to develop a loyalty program in line with its passenger revenues because they were and still are way too focused on international flights which do not generate...
whether he said it is what matters or not, it is an incorrect comparison.
No professional analyst or industry observer compares partial revenue to full costs.
It is a failed attempt by a handful of UA fans that are trying desperately to avoid admitting that UA failed to develop a loyalty program in line with its passenger revenues because they were and still are way too focused on international flights which do not generate anywhere near the revenue that matters to credit card companies.
Responsible analysis includes comparing mileage adjusted RASM to other airlines or total RASM to CASM but never will include partial revenue vs. full costs.
Tim Dunn says, "whether he said it is what matters or not, it is an incorrect comparison."
You saying he said something that he didn't is as deceitful as attempting to use multiple usernames to post. Very strange behavior which undercuts whatever else such a person might be trying to convey.
By comparing PRASM - CASM and indicating where the other revenue/profit comes from gives a fuller picture of what is happening in comparison to...
Tim Dunn says, "whether he said it is what matters or not, it is an incorrect comparison."
You saying he said something that he didn't is as deceitful as attempting to use multiple usernames to post. Very strange behavior which undercuts whatever else such a person might be trying to convey.
By comparing PRASM - CASM and indicating where the other revenue/profit comes from gives a fuller picture of what is happening in comparison to other airlines. Your defensiveness about it betrays your motives.
And you lecturing people about what "responsible analysis" consists of farcical.
Tim you rant over and over the same BS. Yes you have told us Delta is the most profitable airline, yes we are all aware United is catching them.
Ugh yes we are aware UA has union agreement issues.
Tim, did your mother not love you?
Europeans are not going to the U.S. because they view America an unwelcoming, quasi-fascist state. Most business is reorienting towards other countries quickly (2-3 years) as U.S. financial institutions prized for their independence and transparency become tainted by the incompetent meddling of the Trump administration (stock market doesn’t reflect this yet but it will). U.S. airline executives are loathe to call the real reasons for Europe performing badly out because this government does not espouse...
Europeans are not going to the U.S. because they view America an unwelcoming, quasi-fascist state. Most business is reorienting towards other countries quickly (2-3 years) as U.S. financial institutions prized for their independence and transparency become tainted by the incompetent meddling of the Trump administration (stock market doesn’t reflect this yet but it will). U.S. airline executives are loathe to call the real reasons for Europe performing badly out because this government does not espouse free markets but rather complete sycophancy so speaking out at this critical time is not going to happen due to a very real fear of consequences.
I agree 100% and unfortunately far too many Americans are too stupid/stuck in their political bubble to grasp it.
"(stock market doesn’t reflect this yet but it will)."
Seems like you know a lot more than other people do.
Rather than whining over the internet. I'd suggest you short the market and make billions.
Put money where your mouth is or put a foot in it.
Eskimo, “Put money where your mouth is or put a foot in it”, very sound advice from one who actually practices what one preaches. Thank you for your confirmation bro.
This is all your subjective opinion. Fine, have it & express it but realize you produce no actual data to support this.
And give us the proper historical definition of fascism please... it's not what you think it means. Perhaps you should temper the use of scare bombs.
Methinks DL will keep retreating from NYC to Fortress ATL come summer 2026. BRU just the start. Can’t handle the TATL heat!
I see RASM coming right at you.
DL would have to cut a whole lot more than BRU to come close to the capacity cuts that have been pushed onto UA - which UA execs say they wanted all along but never seemed capable of doing on their own.
When you dominate ATL-NYC as much as DL does, the threshold for deploying aircraft for TATL flights is a whole lot higher.
If DL saw TATL weakness, UA saw it even more. DL is simply more responsive to changes in the marketplace than any other airline.
Blasphemy.
So many trigger words.
Bingo card.....check.
Nothing a few more flights to ICN won’t fix!
It might sound radical, but why doesn’t an airline try making economy civilised again? At least back to Y2K comfort levels.
But that would divert attention from the 'shiny objects' in the pointy end !
Europe is not only crowded during the Summer, but the prices are now over exaggerated.
i've been to Portugal, the Iberostar Algarve charged us 2000 euros for 5 nights.
Other family members went to Greece, supposed to be one the poorest countries of Europe, they spend a fortune on flights and hotels there...
Prices in America are even higher.
I flew LHR-SFO return last week. Both flights were almost exclusively Americans. Only few europeans were clearly on business like me. Europeans are just not going to the US for holidays any more. The current administration has killed any desire to go there unless you absolutely have to.
Which means more seats for awards
Until the airlines cancel routes.
No one goes to Europe during July or August anymore, it’s too crowded
No one in New York drives - there’s too much traffic!
That's exactly what I was thinking, TimTam.
Readers outside the US will not appreciate your remark, but I do. Yogi Berra might add, "If the people don’t want to visit Europe in summer, nobody’s going to stop them."
What needs to be added to this is the loss of demand from Europeans wanting to travel to the US.
I don't know anybody that is planning a trip there, and I personally won't be for at least the next three years.
You can hold out a bit, but you will be coming soon enough. Where else can you find interesting people, beautiful landscape that is safe other than the US?
Such a good wheeze Mark, your imagination is working overtime, such a pity you are so delusional.
"safe"??
Other than Russia and Ukraine, every country in Europe has a lower murder rate than ever country in the Americas. (even Chile, Uruguay etc get affected by guns smuggled from the USA)
E.g. USA murder rate is ten times that in Italy.
Eh, Europe?
@Mark - If you think Europeans consider US safe, you're clearly detached from reality and your analysis doesn't make much sense. Apart from Europe itself, there's ton of actually safe destinations in Asia which are also far more interesting than the US, and if I want something superficial, I can just go to Dubai which is a bit closer than the US and substantially safer.
This does not surprise me. Europe in peak summer has skewed towards ultra premium. For most/average people, they got their big Europe summer trip in the last couple of years (following the pandemic), and rates are extremely high (even the ultra wealthy cannot believe what they charge now) for both airfare and hotels - even economy tickets - which they cannot justify. Premium demand is not going anywhere, but the regular crowd is absolutely affected by the costs.
I was actually surprised about how low hotel prices got this summer. Hotels clearly overplayed their hand and faced low demand as a result. Booking days/weeks ahead I got basically pre-covid prices.
There are few things where this doesn't apply, especially American chain hotels in various tourist traps where Americans congregate for some reason (think stuff like Hilton Sorrento), but in most cities it was easy to find a decent mid-range hotel for 150€ or...
I was actually surprised about how low hotel prices got this summer. Hotels clearly overplayed their hand and faced low demand as a result. Booking days/weeks ahead I got basically pre-covid prices.
There are few things where this doesn't apply, especially American chain hotels in various tourist traps where Americans congregate for some reason (think stuff like Hilton Sorrento), but in most cities it was easy to find a decent mid-range hotel for 150€ or less. I mean, I stayed at Intercontinental (!) Berlin for 110€/night this summer.
I agree wow some great rates on hotels this year in Europe
Interesting, no mention of reduced demand from Europeans travelling to the US for summer vacations. That seems to be case for travel by Canadians to the US.
How myopic that these airline execs ( and bloggers for that matter ) think that Americans are the only ones that ever get on a Delta flight.
They may not be the only ones, but I imagine on US airlines, they're the majority of the demand. I would think Europeans may default to European airlines for trips to the US.
Still, if they're seeing lower demand, unless they're decreasing capacity, you'd think that would lead to overall lower prices if they started offering discounts and US airlines had to match to compete.
DENDAVE says, "They may not be the only ones, but I imagine on US airlines, they're the majority of the demand. I would think Europeans may default to European airlines for trips to the US."
Airlines say 80% of international passengers on US carriers are from the US.
PTO, speaking as a traveller who initiates all journeys from the right side of the pond, the USA is becoming increasingly unpopular to the European travellers. As for U.S. airlines, to the discerning European, it is practically unthinkable to even consider a U.S. carrier.
You are right. For us Euros, we are too good for the US
I doubt Delta will be the only airline experiencing that: seems that the July-August season in general has been weaker this year.
We're still waiting for official figures, but the general sentiment in major destinations like Barcelona, Lisbon or Paris is that attendance was down by a significant margin.