*** Updated on 07/27/2020 @ 00:05 UTC – Delta inserted statement ***
Delta Air Lines has made a move to increase business-class capacity to China aboard its Airbus A350s. However, the airline, which is unable to add more flights to China amid ongoing government restrictions, saw the opportunity to increase business-class capacity by removing its passenger limit on Delta One for flights to China.
Final capacity limits
Delta updated its website showing that the airline had removed capacity restrictions on Delta One on its flights to China. The airline claims that it is:
“Reduce the total number of passengers in cabins to 50% in first class cabins and Delta One with a corridor; 60% in the main cabin, Delta Comfort + and Delta Premium Select; and 75% in Delta One cabins with two aisles. *
* Excludes Delta One suites on A350 flights to / from China ”
All other cabins on board the A350, including Premium Select and Main Cabin, will continue to see locked seats and limited capacity. While the blocked seats are scheduled for September 30, the airline expects them to be extended.
Delta provided Simple Flying with the following statement:
“The strict government restrictions on the number of flights that Delta is authorized to operate to China means that seat availability remains extremely limited. To meet the high demand in this market while protecting our customers and employees, reservations on Delta flights between the US and Shanghai will be offered to their maximum capacity in the Delta One cabin, where Delta One Suite offers More space and privacy with a full height door in each suite and dividers between central suites. Intermediate seats at Delta Premium Select and Main Cabin will continue to be blocked. ”
Why Delta One
The Airbus A350s feature the airline’s premier business-class flagship product, Delta One Suite. These seats are essentially forward-facing reclining business class seats with a door for added privacy. These planes will fly the airline’s most prestigious long-distance routes, once the 777s retire.
The airline had previously been restricting capacity as a way to promote social distancing on board its aircraft. However, Delta One Suites is naturally a little better for social distancing. The cabin design is a 1-2-1 setup, meaning fewer people are sitting next to each other. Plus, the seats are wider, giving passengers a little more distance from each other. The closed nature of the suites also provides additional physical barriers.
This makes it a little easier for Delta to operate its unlimited business class flights. Delta now joins United in the business class reservation to capacity on flights to China. American Airlines plans to restart flights from China later in the year, also most likely without capacity restrictions.
Has Delta seen improvements in business-class demand?
China is a market where Delta was eager to resume long-haul flights. The carrier received permission to fly to China after a minor dispute between the US and China over the rights of air carriers. Currently, Delta can only fly twice a week between the two countries.
However, if demand has increased for business travel to China, then it would make sense for Delta to unlock capacity on flights to China. Shanghai is also an important economic center. There are many companies based in the United States that have financial ties or offices in Shanghai.
While business travel continues to be suppressed, those numbers could consolidate to a couple of flights per week and lead Delta to end those limits. While the company is billing itself as a premium airline that cares about its customers at times like these, the airline would instead provide the capacity where it is needed.
Leisure travel, which would primarily occupy the rear of the aircraft, remains depressed and, given substantial entry restrictions, there is probably not much incentive for Delta to open more seats on board its aircraft. In other markets where demand is increasing, the airline is adding more capacity or improving aircraft, neither of which is possible for the company’s current flights to China.
Do you think Delta is making the right decision by ending its capacity constraints on Delta One to China? Let us know in the comments!
