An upgrade before the route has even commenced can only be good news. DL have one of the most diverse route networks going, plenty other places this aircraft could have been sent. Demand must be strong.
Theres going to be a lot of empty seats. None of the three NYC roytes last year ran anywhere near full.
Disagree. EDI and GLA both record consistently high load factors to EWR year round, as can be verified by CAA data. AA JFK was a new route last year but did well enough and must've performed satisfactorily as it is operating an extended season this year.
DL should do fine, especially as this is as much about them maintaining market share after the demise of VSLR, and providing skyteam members with a more direct option than via CDG/AMS as it is trying to poach from other carriers. The upgrade says it all tbh, they're obviously not worried.