While most airlines are cutting back — including Delta, domestically — one is expanding its transatlantic flights — again, Delta. What gives?

Obviously, Delta thinks this is where the money is — in flights to Europe. And the airline may be right. But their new flights are from Detroit to Rome — and from Pittsburgh to Paris. Which might give some pause — though clearly they are anticipating a lot of connecting traffic.

Believe me, I mostly applaud the move — it’s somewhat refreshing to see any kind of expansion in the midst of so many capacity cuts.

Still, I couldn’t help but note Jared Blank’s interesting comments in a November item in Online Travel Review about another airline that’s pulling back:

“Northwest has just announced that it is suspending flights from Detroit to Paris (as well as Seattle – Heathrow and Detroit – Osaka) beginning in January. Perhaps someone can explain how [Northwest’s} Detroit to Paris doesn’t work despite being a huge hub in the same region as Pittsburgh, but Pittsburgh to Paris will work…” – Jared Blank, Online Travel Review

Good question.