There were lots of complaints on Delta from all over the USA, after the change of Delta aircraft seats to only 30" seat pitch, as well as discovery of Delta's poor service on many USA national TV channels.

Because of this, other major carriers airlines like American, United, Northwest - Continental alliance (which are later merged as Northwest) stood on the same side to break Delta's monopoly in Atlanta by operating more routes to Atlanta with better service, like American's 33" coach class seat pitch, United's Econmoy Plus class service.

Delta had its revenue & passenger amount reduced for more than 90% just 1 year after the setting up of anti-Delta alliance from other major airlines, and US Airways, which offers excellent 34" seat pitch in coach class, bought Delta for only US$100 million.

The rankings for USA intercontinental carriers were changed as below:

1. Northwest (merged with Continental)
2. US Airways (bought Delta)
3. American
4. United

Delta ended its monopoly in Atlanta, and each of USA intercontinental carriers had market share of 20-25% in Atlanta since then.

The Atlanta residents celebrated the death of Delta, and they ran a downtown wide parade to celebrate the event all the night.

The death of Delta not only affected USA. It also affected the whole world. Skyteam, the Delta's airline alliance, was depleted after the death of Delta. Air France, a Skyteam member, was purchaed by British Airways, a Oneworld member, while Alitalia, was purchased by KLM, a part of Northwest - KLM alliance.

Aeromexico had all its share previously owned by Delta bought by American, and hence changed to Oneworld member.

And Korean Air joined Star Alliance, so to join All Nippon Airways (ANA) of Star Alliance to compete with Asiana & Japan Airlines of Oneworld.