ncflyer wrote:

Not to turn this in to a Frontier thread, but who in their right mind would connect in a place like Raleigh. If you miss your flight from Buffalo to Montego Bay because of a snowstorm (assuming the banks work out for such a routing in the first place), it could be 3 days until the next flight. Not nearly the same type of problem connecting in Atlanta or Charlotte. At least F9 in Denver, from what I know has daily service to many destinations, as far as I know. I one time missed an F9 connection in Denver due to weather at my origin city and at least they could get me out the next day-- sure was better than waiting half a week.

I'm pretty sure Frontier's intention is to capture local demand for these flights.

ncflyer wrote:

Not to turn this in to a Frontier thread, but who in their right mind would connect in a place like Raleigh. If you miss your flight from Buffalo to Montego Bay because of a snowstorm (assuming the banks work out for such a routing in the first place), it could be 3 days until the next flight. Not nearly the same type of problem connecting in Atlanta or Charlotte. At least F9 in Denver, from what I know has daily service to many destinations, as far as I know. I one time missed an F9 connection in Denver due to weather at my origin city and at least they could get me out the next day-- sure was better than waiting half a week.

The average person doesn’t plan a trip on backup options of their connection falls through. They see the option on the screen to connect, see the price, and book.

Fair enough rajincajun, your point is taken, I would never do it, but I tend to be more aware of connections and backups.

However I will say this, a lot of the northern markets to RDU-- for instance my hometown of CLE (which could at least in theory provide a lot of feed to the southern markets)-- are at present time at least seasonal. Either that will have to change or else yeah the flights will succeed or fail based on local demand.

I'm not going to do this math but I wonder how many destinations F9 will serve out of RDU by month of the year. . . .

Does anyone know how many flights per day and per week Frontier operates from RDU? With all these new destinations at sub-daily frequencies it’s kinda hard to keep track. Thanks in advance!

airplaneboy wrote:

Does anyone know how many flights per day and per week Frontier operates from RDU? With all these new destinations at sub-daily frequencies it’s kinda hard to keep track. Thanks in advance!

This is for the week of July 23:
Monday: 10
Tuesday: 9
Wednesday: 10
Thursday: 9
Friday: 10
Saturday: 10
Sunday: 9
Total Weekly: 67

Let me know if there is a specific week(s) you would like.

This growth is impressive. I've said this before and I'll say it again - these are all opportunities that DL could have jumped on but didn't. It seems like DL's expansion at RDU fizzled after the launch of CDG, SEA and AUS.

Also, thought I'd post this as well. For the same week, here are F9's top stations by weekly departures. RDU comes in at #8:
1. DEN - 467
2. MCO - 172
3. LAS - 125
4. PHL - 116
5. AUS - 102
6. CVG - 80
7. ATL - 73
8. RDU - 67
9. ORD - 62
10. CLE - 57

So, do we think there will be any DL response? Or WN? Or anyone??? Competition is good...

Noise wrote:

This growth is impressive. I've said this before and I'll say it again - these are all opportunities that DL could have jumped on but didn't. It seems like DL's expansion at RDU fizzled after the launch of CDG, SEA and AUS.

Totally agreed, but DL just doesn't have the aircraft for it right now. All the CSeries issues mean RJs were not freed up for expansion at the focus cities (RDU/CVG/BOS/IND/MCO). Once they start coming in 2019, there should be more CRJ-700/900 and ERJ-170/175 aircraft available for new routes.

However, Frontier is easily pushed around and will quickly reduce flights in the face of competition. CVG has seen a good chunk of reductions by F9 and many of these routes have faced quite a bit of competition from DL. I have no doubt that DL could come in and take over many of these routes when they have the aircraft available.

ERJ170 wrote:

So, do we think there will be any DL response? Or WN? Or anyone??? Competition is good...

I don't know enough about RDU's air service, but it appears DL has been quietly growing service at RDU. RDU-MSP/DTW are going all mainline year-round, RDU-CUN gets daily service for winter break, a lot of the RDU-ATL flying is switching to the A321, probably more as well

ncflyer wrote:

Not to turn this in to a Frontier thread, but who in their right mind would connect in a place like Raleigh. If you miss your flight from Buffalo to Montego Bay because of a snowstorm (assuming the banks work out for such a routing in the first place), it could be 3 days until the next flight. Not nearly the same type of problem connecting in Atlanta or Charlotte. At least F9 in Denver, from what I know has daily service to many destinations, as far as I know. I one time missed an F9 connection in Denver due to weather at my origin city and at least they could get me out the next day-- sure was better than waiting half a week.

Dont worry ..... frontier to RDU isnt a long term thing. Its like Austin. Temporary summer destinations. That is my guess / prediction.

I highly doubt BUF - RDU and other routes like that stick year around.

ncflyer wrote:

Fair enough rajincajun, your point is taken, I would never do it, but I tend to be more aware of connections and backups.

However I will say this, a lot of the northern markets to RDU-- for instance my hometown of CLE (which could at least in theory provide a lot of feed to the southern markets)-- are at present time at least seasonal. Either that will have to change or else yeah the flights will succeed or fail based on local demand.

I'm not going to do this math but I wonder how many destinations F9 will serve out of RDU by month of the year. . . .

Your thought process is buying no means wrong. I would plan the same way if I were traveling on Frontier. It’s just that you and I have a lot more knowledge and experience on what can go wrong.

The one thing that nobody is taking into account is that a contract that frontier has with charter express. They have a very hard time keeping staff as it is. I am highly skeptical of their ability to hire and retain enough staff two for fill the needs of allegiant, Alaska, JetBlue, and frontier.

blueheronNC wrote:

Frontier just added nonstops from RDU to Montego Bay, Jamaica, Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, Fort Myers, West Palm Beach, Cancun and Phoenix..
https://news.flyfrontier.com/frontier-a ... op-routes/

Holy Sh-t that's a lot of new RDU service all in what, 3 months?

With MJB and Punta Cana, I could potentially see other 2 weekly international flights that would be good additions for RDU... NAS, BDA, and YUL.. I’m just saying

ERJ170 wrote:

With MJB and Punta Cana, I could potentially see other 2 weekly international flights that would be good additions for RDU... NAS, BDA, and YUL.. I’m just saying

NAS or FPO is probably a matter of time, and it just depends on when F9 begins service to the Bahamas and to which airport. As for domestic destinations, I could see F9 expanding into ISP, BHM, MEM, JAX, IND, CMH, SDF. Maybe even OKC or OMA if they want to go full Ryanair and stimulate some new markets out of thin air.

1. How are both RDU-LHR and RDU-CDG doing? Have the loads on LHR recovered from winter? Which one is more popular?

2. What are the chances AA eventually "right-sizes" the LHR flight to a 787 or perhaps has BA take over the route? I am still surprised they are running a 772 on that route with DL running CDG.

3. Any word on when some of the 2040 master plan projects will begin construction, particularly the rental car facility and the new runway?

4. Any word on new DL routes?

LHR and CDG are doing fine. The 772 on LHR helps AA with cargo and more business class, which is what makes the route profitable.

Many of the 2040 projects are underway behind the scenes.

As I'm sure you have all seen in other threads, the list of flights from Delta by fleet type, available seats, and city available. So I thought I would bring it here..

On 21Sep18, here's what i came up with:

CRJ - 8 - 350 seats
CR7 - 8 - 552 seats
CR9 - 29 - 2204 seats
170 - 2 - 138 seats
175 - 5 - 380 seats
712 - 7 - 770 seats
738 - 4 - 640 seats
739 - 3 - 540 seats
763 - 1 - 211 seats
320 - 1 - 160 seats
321 - 5 - 960 seats
MD8 - 7 - 1043 seats
MD9 - 1 - 158 seats

76 daily flights, 4 weekend flights
8106 seats
27 destinations
57% mainline

Plus there was a General Sales position for the RDU focus city covering NC, SC, and BNA..
The GM position in the RDU market would lead a newly formed matrix organization that would result in more effective synergies.
• lead a sales team and closer collaboration across business units to focus on the Flight Plan.
• close collaboration between Global Corporate & Agency Sales, Multi-national, National, Military & Government, Sports & University and off-shore stakeholders in EMEIA to establish new revenue opportunities
• Identifies and develops strategic plan to accelerate globalization across team members portfolios.
• Coordinates Focus City initiatives within the RDU & BNA catchment areas working closely with local civic, community, government & airport authority contacts.
• promote Delta's brand
• Complete review of current Strategic and MSA accounts in the RDU market for opportunities to reassign to outside sales coverage
• Responsible for P & L for the RDU and BNA markets.
• self-motivated, highly-skilled sales force
• strategic partnerships within the district with specific emphasis on positioning Delta/JV with those prominent venues with the greatest revenue opportunities and community exposure
• employee safety and well-being.

So what do you think? Guess this manager is all about sales and identifying/initiating/maturing additional revenue streams and managing the Delta brand/outreach in the NC, SC, and BNA region.. although I find it very bizarre that it ONLY covers BNA and not the other TN areas..

And lastly, RDU is very CR9 HEAVY!!! Are these primed for CS100 upgrade?

ERJ170 wrote:

As I'm sure you have all seen in other threads, the list of flights from Delta by fleet type, available seats, and city available. So I thought I would bring it here..

On 21Sep18, here's what i came up with:

CRJ - 8 - 350 seats
CR7 - 8 - 552 seats
CR9 - 29 - 2204 seats
170 - 2 - 138 seats
175 - 5 - 380 seats
712 - 7 - 770 seats
738 - 4 - 640 seats
739 - 3 - 540 seats
763 - 1 - 211 seats
320 - 1 - 160 seats
321 - 5 - 960 seats
MD8 - 7 - 1043 seats
MD9 - 1 - 158 seats

76 daily flights, 4 weekend flights
8106 seats
27 destinations
57% mainline

Plus there was a General Sales position for the RDU focus city covering NC, SC, and BNA..
The GM position in the RDU market would lead a newly formed matrix organization that would result in more effective synergies.
• lead a sales team and closer collaboration across business units to focus on the Flight Plan.
• close collaboration between Global Corporate & Agency Sales, Multi-national, National, Military & Government, Sports & University and off-shore stakeholders in EMEIA to establish new revenue opportunities
• Identifies and develops strategic plan to accelerate globalization across team members portfolios.
• Coordinates Focus City initiatives within the RDU & BNA catchment areas working closely with local civic, community, government & airport authority contacts.
• promote Delta's brand
• Complete review of current Strategic and MSA accounts in the RDU market for opportunities to reassign to outside sales coverage
• Responsible for P & L for the RDU and BNA markets.
• self-motivated, highly-skilled sales force
• strategic partnerships within the district with specific emphasis on positioning Delta/JV with those prominent venues with the greatest revenue opportunities and community exposure
• employee safety and well-being.

So what do you think? Guess this manager is all about sales and identifying/initiating/maturing additional revenue streams and managing the Delta brand/outreach in the NC, SC, and BNA region.. although I find it very bizarre that it ONLY covers BNA and not the other TN areas..

And lastly, RDU is very CR9 HEAVY!!! Are these primed for CS100 upgrade?

BNA is pretty far from RDU and doesn’t have anything to do with it. Why does it matter to this position?

Also, yes. CS100 will be great for focus cities such as RDU/CVG and possibly AUS. They just need to get here already!!!!!!

I don’t get it either.. there is Knoxville, Chattanooga... why not Memphis? I’m so confused...

ERJ170 wrote:

And lastly, RDU is very CR9 HEAVY!!! Are these primed for CS100 upgrade?

Absolutely. Both CVG/RDU are CR9 heavy for a reason. Now with the CSeries/B717's freed up, I am sure many of the CR9 routes will be upgraded to the CS100/B717. That will free up some CR7/9's for expansions on new routes plus upgrading CR2 routes.

It seems the long awaited Delta news got its own thread.

DL is making a move into Chicago, launching a 3x daily service to ORD using an E175. Chicago must now match NYC as the most saturated flight market from RDU, with 4 carriers serving 2 airports.

From a layman's perspective, this seems like a perfect route to open given the pending arrival of the C-series and subsequent availability of smaller air frames.

Since there doesn't seem to be any official announcement yet from either DL or RDUAA, any chance this might be paired with other new service announcements or up-gauging?

https://www.airliners.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=1398925&p=20554625&hilit=rdu#p20554625

TimeForFlight wrote:

Since there doesn't seem to be any official announcement yet from either DL or RDUAA, any chance this might be paired with other new service announcements or up-gauging?

DL used to serve DFW nonstop from RDU back when DL had a hub at DFW, and DL could bring back RDU-DFW nonstop service with the RDU focus city.

TimeForFlight wrote:

Since there doesn't seem to be any official announcement yet from either DL or RDUAA, any chance this might be paired with other new service announcements or up-gauging?

Trying to find a list of the top 20 or 25 destinations from RDu to see what DL has left. I remember at one point previous, they stated they wanted to serve the top 20 or 25 destinations from RDU...

Not sure what or if they have anything under their sleeve.. but this is a throw back route. DL used to serve RDU back when they had a hub there.. full circle.

ERJ170 wrote:

TimeForFlight wrote:

Since there doesn't seem to be any official announcement yet from either DL or RDUAA, any chance this might be paired with other new service announcements or up-gauging?

Trying to find a list of the top 20 or 25 destinations from RDu to see what DL has left. I remember at one point previous, they stated they wanted to serve the top 20 or 25 destinations from RDU...

Not sure what or if they have anything under their sleeve.. but this is a throw back route. DL used to serve RDU back when they had a hub there.. full circle.

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/ ... sp=sharing
Here is some information. LAS is the largest market DL doesn't serve.

SumChristianus wrote:

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/ ... sp=sharing
Here is some information. LAS is the largest market DL doesn't serve.

Thanks! So looks like the following are still potential candidates to add to RDU to get the top 25 markets:

LAS, SFO, DFW, PHX, MSY

If DL decide to add top 25.. I could see the following frequencies: (if A220 make it)

LAS 1x 738 or 319
SFO 1x 738
DFW 2x CR9 (2x 220)
PHX 1x CR9 (1x 220)
MSY 1x CR9

How many gates at RDU does DL control? How many does AA control?

What are the chances DL expands the network to add cities like STL, MCI, DFW, IAH, SFO, SAN, PHX, PDX, MEM, JAX, MKE, DEN?

Delta has 11 + an international gate.. AA has 8 + an international gate... who knows what DL will do next... but I’m open to anything...

The question is, will DL commit mainline equipment to flying non-hub domestic routes out of RDU? Except for the occasional TPA frequency, they haven't yet.

Mainline is/has been on TPA, BOS, and MCO..most of the other routes are true regional and most are getting upgraded to large regional...

Delta chooses new caterer for RDU.. Newrest, a french firm out of Canada, will take over from LSG Group. They will service all RDU flights with catering, including CDG. 65 jobs. RDU is currently the only station in the US being used by newest.

B752OS wrote:

How many gates at RDU does DL control? How many does AA control?

What are the chances DL expands the network to add cities like STL, MCI, DFW, IAH, SFO, SAN, PHX, PDX, MEM, JAX, MKE, DEN?

While I do not expect DL to bring back nonstop service to destinations other than its hubs or focus cities out of MEM, I could see DL possibly bringing back MEM-RDU, MEM-CVG, and MEM-SLC nonstop service in order to fill in the void left by the DL dehubbing at MEM.

Surprised this got overlooked yesterday - Delta launching RDU-ORD 3x/day on E-175.

https://news.delta.com/delta-linking-ra ... op-service

deltairlines wrote:

Surprised this got overlooked yesterday - Delta launching RDU-ORD 3x/day on E-175.

https://news.delta.com/delta-linking-ra ... op-service

It didn't, it has its own thread: viewtopic.php?t=1398925&p=20553905

deltairlines wrote:

Surprised this got overlooked yesterday - Delta launching RDU-ORD 3x/day on E-175.

https://news.delta.com/delta-linking-ra ... op-service

Also tucked in there, RDU-CDG now sees Boeing 767 service go year-round due to strong demand.

Rafale9312 wrote:

deltairlines wrote:

Surprised this got overlooked yesterday - Delta launching RDU-ORD 3x/day on E-175.

https://news.delta.com/delta-linking-ra ... op-service

Also tucked in there, RDU-CDG now sees Boeing 767 service go year-round due to strong demand.

It's doing very good and there aren't exactly bottom of the barrel fares either, I am happy to see this year round change and I've known several folks who have taken the flight already. I personally would love to but I am working on achieving *A status so I make the drive to IAD often (fares are much lower too).


I'd love to see WOW Air or Icelandair give RDU a go. Fingers Crossed.

Looks like the airport authority wants to add some more corporate hangers. Help influence some of the bigger companies to look actively at HQ in Raleigh,

https://www.newsobserver.com/news/busin ... 35440.html

Article from News and Observer with some interesting tidbits..

1. Paris demand has been strong, and Delta has upgraded the plane used on the flight to the larger and more comfortable Boeing 767. translation: they are not using the guarantee
2. The Triangle is one of Delta’s four “focus cities,” along with Austin, Cincinnati and Boston, that operate as mini-hubs AUS seems to now be called a focus city.
3. Joe Espisito, Delta VP of network planning, announced no new flights Friday, but he said there would be newer and larger aircraft on some routes here, as Delta retires its MD-88s and phases out its use of 50-seat regional jets. translation: A220s likely coming to RDU
4. Esposito said the airline will likely first add additional daily nonstop flights to its hub in Salt Lake City and to Seattle before service to PDX
5. Esposito said it would not be unreasonable to add more nonstops to Europe, but said Delta is concentrating on improving its one-stop connections to international destinations from the Triangle. So they are pushing RDU travelers through BOS for other than CDG.
6. The planes on the India flight will seat more than 300, he said, which is too large to fill from RDU. translation: no India service on Delta.
7. About 10 percent of Delta’s passengers at RDU are catching a connecting flight through the airport Not bad, more than I thought would be the case

Thoughts?

Sorry, a little bit more information about Newrest from News and Observer:

1. Newrest began providing food service for Delta Air Lines flights out of RDU this month (July 11)
2. Newrest cooks and assembles meals for a handful of longer flights to places such as Los Angeles, Seattle, Cancun and Paris
3. Delta that decided RDU would be the first airport Newrest would serve in the U.S because it’s a growing market but not too big.
4. The initial service feedback in Raleigh have just been great
5. Newrest plans to open a second kitchen to serve Delta flights at Salt Lake City (SLC) in September. The plans are to open those two first. If we are successful, it might be the beginning of a nice partnership"
6. Newrest is preparing 1,000 to 1,200 meals a day in Durham and the company has the capacity to make 5,000 here.

Thoughts?

ERJ170 wrote:

About 10 percent of Delta’s passengers at RDU are catching a connecting flight through the airport Not bad, more than I thought would be the case

I am very surprised it is that high. CVG runs about 16%, but it varies by the month.

ERJ170 wrote:

Article from News and Observer with some interesting tidbits..

1. Paris demand has been strong, and Delta has upgraded the plane used on the flight to the larger and more comfortable Boeing 767. translation: they are not using the guarantee
2. The Triangle is one of Delta’s four “focus cities,” along with Austin, Cincinnati and Boston, that operate as mini-hubs AUS seems to now be called a focus city.
3. Joe Espisito, Delta VP of network planning, announced no new flights Friday, but he said there would be newer and larger aircraft on some routes here, as Delta retires its MD-88s and phases out its use of 50-seat regional jets. translation: A220s likely coming to RDU
4. Esposito said the airline will likely first add additional daily nonstop flights to its hub in Salt Lake City and to Seattle before service to PDX
5. Esposito said it would not be unreasonable to add more nonstops to Europe, but said Delta is concentrating on improving its one-stop connections to international destinations from the Triangle. So they are pushing RDU travelers through BOS for other than CDG.
6. The planes on the India flight will seat more than 300, he said, which is too large to fill from RDU. translation: no India service on Delta.
7. About 10 percent of Delta’s passengers at RDU are catching a connecting flight through the airport Not bad, more than I thought would be the case

Thoughts?

They are now officially referring to AUS as a focus city despite not having announced or launched any new p2p flights or TATL service? Maybe he jumped the gun there.

Good for RDU, it’s nice to see it have some stability after years of being burned by American and Midway. However, I don’t see an additional European destination being added (AMS) anytime soon, there are other areas they should focus on growing.

I would love to see some JV routes..

Rafale9312 wrote:

ERJ170 wrote:

Article from News and Observer with some interesting tidbits..

1. Paris demand has been strong, and Delta has upgraded the plane used on the flight to the larger and more comfortable Boeing 767. translation: they are not using the guarantee
2. The Triangle is one of Delta’s four “focus cities,” along with Austin, Cincinnati and Boston, that operate as mini-hubs AUS seems to now be called a focus city.
3. Joe Espisito, Delta VP of network planning, announced no new flights Friday, but he said there would be newer and larger aircraft on some routes here, as Delta retires its MD-88s and phases out its use of 50-seat regional jets. translation: A220s likely coming to RDU
4. Esposito said the airline will likely first add additional daily nonstop flights to its hub in Salt Lake City and to Seattle before service to PDX
5. Esposito said it would not be unreasonable to add more nonstops to Europe, but said Delta is concentrating on improving its one-stop connections to international destinations from the Triangle. So they are pushing RDU travelers through BOS for other than CDG.
6. The planes on the India flight will seat more than 300, he said, which is too large to fill from RDU. translation: no India service on Delta.
7. About 10 percent of Delta’s passengers at RDU are catching a connecting flight through the airport Not bad, more than I thought would be the case

Thoughts?

Not surprising that Delta will focus on the markets already being served out of RDU. I can definitely see the A220's serving NYC and BOS from RDU first, along with ATL, DTW, or MSP. I also would not be surprised to see the A220 being used to increase frequency to SLC and SEA, and launch new routes to PDX, SAN, or SFO/SJC, but I sense that replacing the smaller RJ's across the network is a higher priority (as it should be). That being said, I am surprised to see RDU-SLC getting some love, between the route being served by an A321 in the summer to now a possible second daily flight. As far as transatlantic, I bet DL is eagerly waiting for AA to drop the RDU-LHR route so they or VS can takeover the route. However, seeing that RDU-LHR on AA is doing well, I doubt this will happen anytime soon and even if AA did drop the route, BA would also be in a great position to probably pick up the route (which I personally would like to see happen, but if AA is making good money on the route, they have no incentive to drop the route). Any DL/VS presence on RDU-LHR would be purely for O&D. I imagine AMS is not in the cards for a long time as there's not much O&D traffic from what I know, and any connections that can be made through there can also be made at CDG, which passengers are obviously taking advantage of. Also, no surprise on the statement on service to India, and I'm very curious that service to China wasn't brought up. All in all, I'm really looking forward to see what DL, F9, and other airlines can do for RDU in the future!

I saw the below post in the MBJ thread. I'm pleasantly surprised by this as it works perfectly for a long weekend. I will definitely be booking this.

Frontier has provided more details on the recently announced RDU-MBJ service.

Frontier Airlines will be the only carrier offering four out of six of these new non-stop routes. The carrier will be using the Airbus A320 family of aircraft to operate these routes. All six routes are seasonal in nature and will commence in mid-November.

The Montego Bay service will also be offered twice weekly on Mondays and Fridays. This route will be available from November 17. The flight departing Raleigh-Durham will leave at 6:00am and arrive in Montego Bay at 9:05am. The return flight will depart Montego Bay at 10:00am and arrive back in Raleigh-Durham at 1:10pm.

ERJ170 wrote:

Sorry, a little bit more information about Newrest from News and Observer:

1. Newrest began providing food service for Delta Air Lines flights out of RDU this month (July 11)
2. Newrest cooks and assembles meals for a handful of longer flights to places such as Los Angeles, Seattle, Cancun and Paris
3. Delta that decided RDU would be the first airport Newrest would serve in the U.S because it’s a growing market but not too big.
4. The initial service feedback in Raleigh have just been great
5. Newrest plans to open a second kitchen to serve Delta flights at Salt Lake City (SLC) in September. The plans are to open those two first. If we are successful, it might be the beginning of a nice partnership"
6. Newrest is preparing 1,000 to 1,200 meals a day in Durham and the company has the capacity to make 5,000 here.

Thoughts?

As someone who flies DL RJs and passes through RDU quite often, I can say that RDU catering was absolute garbage. It was a good day when we got catered at all, much less catered correctly. I sincerely hope Newrest knocks it out of the park; a strategically important market like RDU demands flawless service.

Here's a little bit more information.. kinda wish I could just see the entire presentation.. found it!!!

1. Esposito says RDU Airport is the number one fastest-growing city in Delta's entire system and highlighted the Triangle's strong business community as one of the main reasons why the company is looking to expand in the region.
2. DL says RDU 2nd fastest growing metro per the Gross Metro Product (houston 1st, austin 3rd)
3. DL serves 19 of top 25 (so i'm thinking at least 7 more to go since they originally stated they wanted to serve the top 25 markets?)

Interesting stuff..

I wonder if we will ever see DL reach 100 flights at RDU.

So, reading this.. was Esposito saying one of the things DL did was expand the Sky Club or that what’s coming up is another expansion of the Sky Club... I’m getting confused...

ADrum23 wrote:

I wonder if we will ever see DL reach 100 flights at RDU.

Thats always been the goal. I think growth has been slowed due to the A220 entry into service delays. It hasn't freed up as many RJ's as had been planned. The A220 will definitely make appearances in RDU at some point, but expect to see more 717 flying.

ERJ170 wrote:

Article from News and Observer with some interesting tidbits..

1. Paris demand has been strong, and Delta has upgraded the plane used on the flight to the larger and more comfortable Boeing 767. translation: they are not using the guarantee
2. The Triangle is one of Delta’s four “focus cities,” along with Austin, Cincinnati and Boston, that operate as mini-hubs AUS seems to now be called a focus city.
3. Joe Espisito, Delta VP of network planning, announced no new flights Friday, but he said there would be newer and larger aircraft on some routes here, as Delta retires its MD-88s and phases out its use of 50-seat regional jets. translation: A220s likely coming to RDU
4. Esposito said the airline will likely first add additional daily nonstop flights to its hub in Salt Lake City and to Seattle before service to PDX
5. Esposito said it would not be unreasonable to add more nonstops to Europe, but said Delta is concentrating on improving its one-stop connections to international destinations from the Triangle. So they are pushing RDU travelers through BOS for other than CDG.
6. The planes on the India flight will seat more than 300, he said, which is too large to fill from RDU. translation: no India service on Delta.
7. About 10 percent of Delta’s passengers at RDU are catching a connecting flight through the airport Not bad, more than I thought would be the case

Thoughts?

There is another thread about people hyperventilating that AUS is a DL focus city based on "insider info" and "DL needs TX" etc. You can imagine what this article in the RDU thread did to the fans in the AUS thread. Turns out not to be true (at least yet)

viewtopic.php?f=3&t=1397113&start=400#p20591681

compensateme wrote:

cessna2 wrote:

When discussing RDU's future in the DL network, DL Executives referred to AUS as a DL focus city. Looks like this is the first official acknowledgement. https://www.newsobserver.com/news/busin ... 37225.html

That’s incorrect; nowhere in the article does DL acknowledge AUS as a focus city. Instead, the article’s author identifies it as such, listing it as a current focus city alongside CVG and BOS. The whole statement is false — AUS is not currently a focus city, and DL identifies BOS and CVG as hubs.

Just something the author got wrong in his research, not an official acknowledgement.

and then another poster stated that they contacted the author of the article to verify if DL was saying AUS is a focus city. Oops, they're not. Fake News or reporter screw up or whatever.
viewtopic.php?f=3&t=1397113&start=400#p20591987

cvgComair wrote:

Contacted the author and it has been changed. Definitely not a focus city yet.