I'm also with LAXLHR on the Atlanta issue.
I'm bewildered that this can be stated as a loss. Virgin are taking over from Delta and putting a bigger aircraft on - how can that be counted as a loss? More of a gain I would say.... in pax seats available.
However as someone who uses the MAN-ATL around once a month, I would rather have kept DL as their C cabin, and definitely their service, is better than the average VS 744 up at the pointy end in the nose.
Not been on their A333 yet - so keeping my fingers crossed for my next trip in 3 weeks time.
The Delta CC I was talking to were miffed about the situation as they seemed to make the most of the stopovers and get themselves about up to the Lakes, the Dales, York, Chester etc. One of the CC was a complete Anglophile and said he always asked for a MAN or LHR on the roster. I'd seen him 2 or 3 times over a year's flights.