Song Replacing Many Delta Flights

[cindala]

We are just back, but I've started to look for next years airfare as we always book out around 300 or so days. I noticed that our usual flight out of LGA on a regular Delta line (not express) has been changed to Song, the the flight is later also.

Is Song replacing all of Delta's flights? I thought it was just the Express flights?

Has anyone flown Song yet??

 

[CAP Aircrew]

I'm not sure if Song is replacing all of Delta's main line flights however I believe that Song will be taking over many of the Northeast to Florida routes.

We flew Song from BOS to MCO and back on June 27th and July 3rd. The flights in both directions were great (thanks to weather!). The planes are clean and comfortable. Of course, they have just been refurbished so we'll see how that remains years from now. A beverage service is offered and food is available for purchase. The 'food for purchase" program is something that many airlines seem to be going to.

The flight attendents are called "Talents" and they try to make the trip a bit more enjoyable by cracking jokes now and then. It gets a bit "hokey" but since most people on the plane are traveling on vacation, it's tolorated.

I can't say as I would want to fly them day in and day for business but overall, our experience was great.

 

[jtbdas]

There is plenty of information about Song on the Delta Website under their company information and news section. It recaps the markets and information you may be looking for.

 

[cindala]

Originally posted by CAP Aircrew
The planes are clean and comfortable. Of course, they have just been refurbished so we'll see how that remains years from now.

So they are not "new" planes then, just refurbished? Does anyone know how old the planes in their fleet are?

 

[CAP Aircrew]

Song's planes are from Delta's mainline fleet. In other words, Delta use to fly them. They are not "new" however Song did take the newest or youngest 757's (as it is known in the business) over to their fleet. The cabins have been completely refurbished.

Airplanes have a much longer life cycle than say a car would. It is not uncommon for airlines to be flying airplanes that are 25 years or older!

Song's 757's although not new, are still relatively young.

It is a great airplane to fly on.

 

[alexturner74]

Most of the aircraft operating as Song so far have been delivered since late 1999. The ones coming down the line will be older than these, but mostly from the late 90's. All aircraft are from Delta's mainline fleet, and most of the Song aircraft (not all) will be the youngest in the Delta 757 fleet. Song aircraft get the new paint scheme and an updated interior.

 

[cindala]

Thanks for the info! I research everything to death!!
Out of Newark or LaGuardia, it looks like we will have to fly Song instead of regular Delta. Continental is always more expensive, and we really don't want to go out to Kennedy to catch JetBlue.

 

[packy]

Song is replacing what used to be Delta Express with what is supposed to be an upgraded, discount coach type service. If you had Delta Express flights they will probably (and eventually) be replaced with Song flights.

 

[BillPA]

Here is a link to Song's WEB site. Doesn't look like they are coming to Philly anytime soon.

http://www.flysong.com/home/index.jsp

 

[KProuty]

Just FYI, Delta Express fares were lower than Song's. And Song is sopposed to be a discount airline!

Katherine

 

[seashoreCM]

I don't think Song was meant to be a discount airline, it is classified as a "low cost carrier" which means lower operating costs per passenger mile. This makes it possible to offer more seats at lower fares, but not necessarily on all flights.

"Full service" airlines relied on a good number of business travelers paying high fares to bring in enough revenue to keep the airline flying. Song's highest regular* fare is supposed to be USD $299. one way which is far less than the usual business class fare. Song is relying on near maximum fares for most of the seats on certain coveted flights and dates to subsidize flights at not so popular times.

The youngest 757's from the Delta fleet should increase schedule reliability and on time performance for Song so as to make Song as a separate business entity look good.

From the flights I checked, Song's fares are comparable to what Delta Express used to offer, except on nearly full flights or close to departure date.

More:
http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/flysong.com

* If the flight is not sold out, you will be offered a fare of $299. or less each way which is non-refundable. There may be fully refundable fares available on request that are higher. Whereas on Delta Express, after all the cheaper seat allotments were sold or when it got really close to departure date, the cheapest fare you are offered could be much more than $299.

 

[KProuty]

I used to get decent airfare on Delta Express when they had sales... I've paid $220, $180. Now for the dates I need I regularly find $242... and for one set of dates I find $550. Southwest is $190 for Song's $550 dates. Thank GOD we have Southwest and Manchester airport.

Katherine

 

[alexturner74]

Just FYI, Delta Express fares were lower than Song's. And Song is sopposed to be a discount airline!

On average, Delta Express fares were quite a bit cheaper than Jet Blue's. Song is replacing Delta Express with an improved product, and is designed to compete against JetBlue as a "low cost" carrier. As such, one can not expect to get the same fares with Song as one did on Delta Express. They are different products with different business plans.

If JetBlue ever comes to Boston to fly non-stop BOS-MCO routes, you'll probably see similar fares as Song, except for possible introductory fare sales.