American ranked 28th, while United was 31st, followed immediately by Delta.

Song, the much-ballyhooed low-fare carrier started last year by Delta, said last week that it would reassess its expansion plans.

A filing by Delta could come as early as midmonth, many industry executives, finance experts and analysts say.

Palmer has previously been served commercially by both US Airways and Delta since the 1980s.

The only remaining intercontinental service by Delta is a daily departure to Paris in the evening.

The DC-9 was built in 1969 and operated by Delta until 1992.

These legal decisions opened the door to increased long haul flights out of Love Field using 56-passenger jets, including new service by Delta and Legend.

Other bidders could still emerge and top the price negotiated by Delta before the deal goes through.

A filing by Delta, the third-largest airline after American and United, would mean that half the industry's old-line carriers are under court protection.

The action by Delta came on the final day of the discussions about changes in flight schedules.