American and Delta reactivate 300 planes as summer travel plans get a boost
Rows upon rows of parked planes are one of the most striking images of the coronavirus pandemic's impact on airlines. Now, American Airlines and Delta Air Lines are among carriers returning some of those jets to the sky as they slowly build back their schedules.
American has reactivated 64 stored jets for its June schedule and plans to bring another 141 aircraft back from storage in July, spokesperson Brian Metham told TPG. The planes are being brought back to help support the airline's plans to boost flying this summer. In July, American will add more flights to account for an uptick in travel, though the carrier's overall schedule will be just 55% of what it flew in July 2019.
Delta has returned 16 aircraft to service in June on top of 30 that were previously reactivated, according to airline spokesperson Morgan Durrant and a June 3 memo to pilots. The airline plans to bring another 74 planes back in July.
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More aircraft in the skies is a welcome sign for the travel industry. While the number of passengers on flights remains a fraction of where it stood a year ago, airlines see clear signs that people are willing to fly again even as concerns of COVID-19 remain. Travelers are heading to places with open spaces, like the Rocky Mountains, and to beaches in Florida and other coastal states.
In addition, the reopening of casinos on the Las Vegas Strip and theme parks like Universal Orlando are attracting people tired of being cooped up at home for months.
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) screening numbers hit a new post-COVID peak of 441,255 people on Sunday, June 7. However, the number remains around 17% of those screened on the same day a year ago.
Related: American to reopen lounges, add flights to Florida, Rockies as flyers return
For June, American brought 12 Airbus A320s, 34 Boeing 737-800s, 10 Boeing 777s and 8 Boeing 787s out of storage. The jets are being used for both passenger and cargo flights, said Metham.
American's U.S. domestic flights are operating on average 62% full this month, said CEO Doug Parker at the carrier's annual shareholders meeting on Wednesday.
Delta brought back a mix of Airbus A321s and 737-900ERs in June on top of the 30 jets already reactivated, it told pilots. In addition, four new Airbus A350-900s were brought out of storage for planned maintenance, though they are not slated to return to passenger flying in the immediate future.
Related: A state-by-state guide to coronavirus reopening
American will still have 153 mainline jets stored come July. Delta will have around 618 mainline and regional aircraft stored by that time, though notably it continues to fly all of the Airbus A220s in its fleet.
At their peak, U.S. carriers had more than 3,000 jets in storage, according to trade group Airlines for America (A4A). That number stood at 2,882 as of June 7.
Both American and Delta were also among the first U.S. carriers to use the crisis to accelerate aircraft retirements. American has permanently removed five types — Airbus A330-300s, Boeing 757s and 767s, Bombardier CRJ200s and Embraer E190s — from its fleet. Delta has retired three types, including the McDonnell Douglas MD-88s and MD-90s that flew revenue flights for the last time on June 2.
Related: Alaska Airlines is leaning towards an all-Boeing 737 fleet after the coronavirus
Alaska Airlines plans to return 20 of its stored jets to service this summer, president Ben Minicucci told The Seattle Times this week. The carrier has retired 12 jets, all 10 of its Airbus A319s plus two A320s, due to the pandemic.
Southwest Airlines continues to monitor travel demand and will adjust the number of aircraft it has in storage accordingly, spokesperson Brian Parrish told TPG. The airline has 400 aircraft in some form of storage, though only 140 737 jets are in what it considers "long-term" storage.
United Airlines spokesperson Rachael Rivas told TPG that they continue to evaluate their "fleet mix" for the airline's planned summer schedule.
Related: Delta operates final MD-88 flight amid tough times for airlines
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Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
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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)Pros
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- 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.
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- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | 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. |
| 4X | 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. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
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Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.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)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 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.