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Airbus A220 to Fly on Longer Delta Connection Routes

Aug. 21, 2018
2 min read
Airbus A220-300 tour Farnborough
Airbus A220 to Fly on Longer Delta Connection Routes
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The wait for a ride aboard a Delta-branded A220 is nearing an end. With the first of Delta's 75 Airbus A220-100s expected to arrive by year-end 2018, and the first departures slated for Q1 2019, the airline is beginning to put structure around where its newest birds will nest.

We've reported prior that New York would be the first locale to see the A220-100 (formerly known as the Bombardier CS100), and now we're hearing that it'll likely be used on some of the lengthier Delta Connection routes across the board. Per FlightGlobal, Delta's Senior Vice President of Network Planning Joe Esposito recently spoke at the Boyd Group International Aviation Forecast Summit in Denver, stating: "Where we're purposely putting [the A220s] is to improve our product on our longest haul [Embraer] 175 or [Bombardier] CRJ900s, into thinner business markets. In the short-term, we're probably going to use it to upgrade some of our longer haul Delta Connection flights."

A look at the coach seating arrangement onboard an Airbus A220. (Photo by Zach Honig / The Points Guy.)

He wouldn't go so far as to name specific markets, but it was clear that key business markets — where passengers routinely look at which aircraft an airline is flying before booking — will be first to adopt the A220. While some may prefer the 2-2 seating arrangement on the E-175 and CRJ900, the flip side is this: At least the A220 has one side of just two seats, whereas most other mainline jets only offer rows with middle seats.

We're expecting most of the A220 fleet to touch Delta's largest hubs: Atlanta, New York, Seattle, Salt Lake City, Minneapolis, Detroit and Los Angeles. That said, a few could filter into focus cities, where E-175 and CRJ900 aircraft operate with regularity. Once Delta reveals the formal schedule, we'll be on board to bring you a full review of the aircraft.

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4XEarn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
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  • Annual Fee

    $325
  • Recommended Credit

    Excellent to Good

Why We Chose It

There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)

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  • 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
  • Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
  • Solid welcome bonus

Cons

  • Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
  • Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
  • You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
  • $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
  • $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
  • $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
  • Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $325.
  • Terms Apply.