Misread dates. apologies. I agree that, at the time of launch, it seemed too little too late in the mature domestic market, sorry it has not worked.
When I saw Sir MB hold out too long for his company to go where he wanted it to go - I thought it a prime example of pride before a fall.
Whether Sir RB was the one who prevented a fuller role of Singapore, we will probably never know. I'm sure that there are some who claim to know but all I recall was much drawn out argy-bargy and Singapore eventually walking away. I sit to be corrected on that.
But, quite apart from Delta's machinations, the dire financial situation for the USA and Europe means that more consolidation will have to happen. In the UK, there are many reasons why IAG has, and will, prevail.