Delta, like AA, had a large presence at DFW at the time of Braniff’s demise. What if, instead of waiting for BN to die, they moved first in expanding their hub in DFW? Could they have overtaken and out shaken AA, which moved in first in reality? If DL had stepped in and taken the lead in DFW would they have kept the hub, instead of dropping it in 2005? What about AA, how would their network be different if DL “owned” the DFW market, by moving in ahead of it?
One hub would have been shaken out eventually. Could DL, by increasing DFW early, have switched places competitively, from the present situation and history? How would that affect its network?
I personally think they (DL) could have taken DFW. If DL had moved in earlier, AA would (could) have merged with CO and moved their TX hub to IAH.
Any thoughts?
Thanks,
Hope this is the right forum…
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- desertjets
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Re: What If? - Delta Hustles Frst (DFW: 1980s)
Post-deregulation the airlines formally established hubs in places where they already had fairly sizeable operations. Looking at departedflights.com they have a detailed schedule for DFW in 1979. From some rough counting the average weekday departures looks like this: BN -- 174, AA -- 127, TI -67, DL -55. Please note that all four carriers had networks that were fairly distinct from each other that still reflected airline regulation. But Delta was the smallest of the major players at DFW at the eve of deregulation. Plus I believe Delta was a smaller airline than AA was at the time. Post BN, AA had the market share in DFW, plus was already a larger airline and was able/willing to make an aggressive move to build a mega hub in Dallas.
Re: What If? - Delta Hustles Frst (DFW: 1980s)
DL faced competition, a loyalty to AA from being in the Dallas market for decades, and a sagging financial situation throughout their system.
Why do you think they left DFW? They put their money and resources back into Atlanta, and where their traditional market dominance had been.
FL became a big market for DL in the 90's......remember the MCO "hub" and yet it too faced cutbacks in service and volume due to finances.
A smart move made at the time to exit DFW and build on their traditional turf, and look at what they accomplished in 25+years.
Why do you think they left DFW? They put their money and resources back into Atlanta, and where their traditional market dominance had been.
FL became a big market for DL in the 90's......remember the MCO "hub" and yet it too faced cutbacks in service and volume due to finances.
A smart move made at the time to exit DFW and build on their traditional turf, and look at what they accomplished in 25+years.
Re: What If? - Delta Hustles Frst (DFW: 1980s)
DL had a long history in Houston from The C&S acquisition, but the transcon authority via DFW ended up ruling the day (DL at DAL/DFW was no different than NA at IAH ... that was all they had, ATL and the west, no NYC, no DC, no Chicago.) I think your theory is flawed. DL should’ve opened a real hub in the free-for-all that was Houston (CO-PA-EA-DL was the fourth) versus playing perennial second fiddle in Dallas. I suspect they didn’t because of EA.
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- SumChristianus
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Re: What If? - Delta Hustles Frst (DFW: 1980s)
Just wondered I thought I had read something on this site that said they (DL) were going to expand their DFW operations to a level larger than AA and DFW but AA beat them to the punch.
Even if they were larger though I get that that does not equal success. AA not having an ATL would have a greater "need" and willingness to fight for Dallas.
Even if they were larger though I get that that does not equal success. AA not having an ATL would have a greater "need" and willingness to fight for Dallas.
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