Unable To Fill Up Their Airplanes": United Airlines Executive Slams Delta On New LAX Route

United Airlines’ chief commercial officer, Andrew Nocella, criticized Delta Air Lines’ newly launched Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to Hong Kong International Airport (HKG) route, saying Delta cannot fill its aircraft. Delta began flying the service last month, while United has operated the LAX–HKG route for longer; Delta added the route in June. Speaking at an employee earnings event, Nocella suggested Delta’s pricing reflects difficulty in achieving demand, citing a yield of 7% alongside an 8% capacity increase referenced from a recent earnings call. United flies a Boeing 787-9, while Delta uses an Airbus A350-900. United’s strategy is supported by “onward tags” to Bangkok Suvarnabhumi (BKK) and Tan Son Nhat (SGN), while Delta’s service ends in Hong Kong unless passengers connect via codeshare or interline partners. Delta operates daily with about 8,525 seats each direction in August, compared with United’s double-daily schedule and Cathay Pacific’s three daily flights.