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Let’s dive into what Delta is doing here, shall we?
Delta is continually positioning itself as the airline that cares about safety. This suggests it seems to be working. (1/9) https://twitter.com/Reuters/status/1262591313993744386">https://twitter.com/Reuters/s...
Delta is continually positioning itself as the airline that cares about safety. This suggests it seems to be working. (1/9) https://twitter.com/Reuters/status/1262591313993744386">https://twitter.com/Reuters/s...
Delta is regarded as the the best-run US airline. I’d argue it’s also the savviest at tapping into consumer sentiment.
As coronavirus hit, Delta was regularly first out of the gate with free change/cancellation policies, status extensions, etc. (2/9) https://thriftytraveler.com/delta-coronavirus/">https://thriftytraveler.com/delta-cor...
As coronavirus hit, Delta was regularly first out of the gate with free change/cancellation policies, status extensions, etc. (2/9) https://thriftytraveler.com/delta-coronavirus/">https://thriftytraveler.com/delta-cor...
Now, Delta understands that price will do almost nothing to get people back on planes right now.
As CEO Ed Bastian said last month: “Our recovery will be dictated by our customers feeling safe, both physically and financially.” (3/9)
As CEO Ed Bastian said last month: “Our recovery will be dictated by our customers feeling safe, both physically and financially.” (3/9)
So Delta puts out videos of deep-cleaning planes, photos of new safety features, and blocks middle seats. You can argue that capping flights at 60% and blocking middle seats do little for health ... and you& #39;d probably be right. But that’s not the point. (4/9)
Unlike others, Delta actually ensures that’s the case by filling no more than 60% of economy seats. That’s easy (and almost pointless) when flights in the US are 25% full, on average.
But Delta is actually doing it, and others often aren& #39;t. (5/9)
But Delta is actually doing it, and others often aren& #39;t. (5/9)
Meanwhile, you’ve seen viral photos of flights packed full on United and AA - and none (I& #39;ve seen) on Delta. That is huge at a time when most people wouldn& #39;t dream of getting on a plane.
As always, Delta scores on its own just as much as its competitors score own goals. (6/9)
As always, Delta scores on its own just as much as its competitors score own goals. (6/9)
Purposely or not, Delta& #39;s CFO Paul Jacobson twisted the dagger a bit with this quote today: " Credibility matters, and trust to the consumer matters right now. We’ve got to keep those promises." (7/9)
Delta is hoping these safety (or safety-adjacent) measures drive more flyers to them - “stimulating demand." And perhaps they& #39;ll even pay a bit more to fly Delta for that peace of mind. (8/9)
Combined with the slow but steady uptick in travel, it gives Delta reason enough to add 100 flights back to its schedule in June - and consider extending these measures into July.
TL;DR: Even in crisis, Delta is playing the long game. (9/9)
TL;DR: Even in crisis, Delta is playing the long game. (9/9)
