Delta adding flights from Atlanta to Europe (Rome: 2014, versus)

[thebigATL]

Delta adding flights from Atlanta to Europe
http://www.bizjournals.com/atlanta/n...lights-to.html

[Newsboy]

Meanwhile, in Birmingham they're celebrating this:

//www.city-data.com/forum/birmi...t-has-did.html

[alco89]

Originally Posted by Newsboy

Meanwhile, in Birmingham they're celebrating this:

//www.city-data.com/forum/birmi...t-has-did.html

That's good news for them.

But Newsboy, now you've done it. Now BigATL is over there gloating. Embarrassing....

[Newsboy]

Originally Posted by alco89

That's good news for them.

But Newsboy, now you've done it. Now BigATL is over there gloating. Embarrassing....

Don't you mean, "Now I has did it!"

[LovelySummer]

This is great news. Non-stops between Atlanta and Europe will be much more convenient and faster than a NYC connection.

Originally Posted by thebigATL

Delta adding flights from Atlanta to Europe
Delta adding flights from Atlanta to Europe - Atlanta Business Chronicle

[Atlwarrior]

Originally Posted by LovelySummer

This is great news. Non-stops between Atlanta and Europe will be much more convenient and faster than a NYC connection.

Not really a faster connection, Delta is just adding flight through its partners Air France and KLM hubs. You still will have to connect in Paris or Amsterdam versus New York to reach your finally destination for other European cities. Delta also cut several non-stop and middle eastern flights like Athens, Greece, Tel Aviv, and Prague.

[LovelySummer]

Oh thanks. I think I'd rather have a connection in the U.S. than in Europe since I'm you know, more familiar with the U.S. and all (lol). I guess this isn't so great after all.

Originally Posted by Atlwarrior

Not really a faster connection, Delta is just adding flight through its partners Air France and KLM hubs. You still will have to connect in Paris or Amsterdam versus New York to reach your finally destination for other European cities. Delta also cut several non-stop and middle eastern flights like Athens, Greece, Tel Aviv, and Prague.

[cwkimbro]

Originally Posted by Atlwarrior

Not really a faster connection, Delta is just adding flight through its partners Air France and KLM hubs. You still will have to connect in Paris or Amsterdam versus New York to reach your finally destination for other European cities. Delta also cut several non-stop and middle eastern flights like Athens, Greece, Tel Aviv, and Prague.

I'm ok with that. I like Schiphol. Admittedly, Charles D'Gaulle leaves much to be desired, C'est la vie :/

It is still a good thing for us:

A) they are increasing flights from NYC as well. That option is always there. As is using competing carriers through other airports.

B) Foreign traffic will likely increasingly use ATL as a gateway to the US, which will make doing business in Atlanta cheaper and more convenient.

C) We still have direct connections to Europe's other Main hubs in Rome, London, and Frankfurt

D) This is a biggie for me... (I'm a frequent international flier)... I like having increased time options on flights. Having a high frequency hub to hub backbone allows me to leave/arrive at more convenient times, even with a single connection. It can often be better than some direct flights that only offer daily service and occasionally allows me to save a travel day and maintain the schedule I need before flying. The European hubs often maintain good flight options during the day to most European destinations.

With Athens economy in the tank, most fliers on that route is typically middle age tourist. An extra connection will be inconvenient, but I don't think it will hurt us economically. Service is also still available, especially in the height of tourist season.

Tel Aviv and Prague.. you have a point.

I know it won't happen soon, but I'd really wish we could attract an Emirates flight to Dubai. They really offer good connections to large parts of the Middle east, eastern Europe, Asia, and Australia. When it comes to long-haul routes, I'm all about hubs because they will always increase options faster than point-to-point travel will. The more single connection options we have, the happier I am and the more competitive the market is for Atlanta travelers.

The main complaint I have... Delta needs to bump up their quality of service on long-haul international flights. This means more up-dated plane interiors, clean seats, cabins that don't smell, wide screen in-seat displays, etc... Their international planes are very hit or miss and often feel very similar to domestic long-hauls. The European operated flights are usually better. I use to be a big fan of Lufthansa, but increasingly the places I'm flying I can get better time options with Sky Team.

[WanderingImport]

Originally Posted by cwkimbro

The main complaint I have... Delta needs to bump up their quality of service on long-haul international flights. This means more up-dated plane interiors, clean seats, cabins that don't smell, wide screen in-seat displays, etc... Their international planes are very hit or miss and often feel very similar to domestic long-hauls. The European operated flights are usually better. I use to be a big fan of Lufthansa, but increasingly the places I'm flying I can get better time options with Sky Team.

Coming from someone on the inside, trust me, they are (undergoing upgrades). They're hit or miss for the moment, but that will change once every plane has undergone the necessary upgrades.

Nothing beats a first class flight to Tokyo fully equipped with a seat that retracts into a completely flat bed. Ahhh.

[LovelySummer]

I read (I think) that the flights to the UK also include these. Is that right?

Originally Posted by WanderingImport

Coming from someone on the inside, trust me, they are (undergoing upgrades). They're hit or miss for the moment, but that will change once every plane has undergone the necessary upgrades.

Nothing beats a first class flight to Tokyo fully equipped with a seat that retracts into a completely flat bed. Ahhh.