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Delta adds new Boston, NYC routes just weeks after JetBlue drops them

Aug. 13, 2024
4 min read
Delta A220-300 Zach Griff - 2
Delta adds new Boston, NYC routes just weeks after JetBlue drops them
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Delta Air Lines is quickly moving to capture some of the territory that JetBlue Airways just retreated from.

The Atlanta-based carrier filed plans over the weekend to launch two interesting new routes, one from Boston and another from New York, as first seen in Cirium Diio schedules.

To start, Delta will add new daily flights between Boston Logan International Airport (BOS) and San Antonio International Airport (SAT) beginning Nov. 11. This route will operate year-round and provide the only nonstop connection between Boston and San Antonio.

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Delta will deploy a 109-seat Airbus A220-100 on this route, which features 12 first-class recliners, 15 Comfort+ extra-legroom seats and 82 standard economy seats. The A220 is a joy to fly with its oversized windows, expanded overhead bins and a comfortable 2-3 configuration.

The flight will depart Boston at 9:15 a.m. and land in San Antonio at 1:13 p.m. It'll depart SAT at 2 p.m. and land back in Boston at 7:05 p.m.

In a statement, Delta shared that "the addition of Boston-San Antonio to the Delta network will provide the only nonstop access for consumers between these two cities starting in November. Moreover, this service will increase Delta’s coverage of top 50 markets from our Boston hub and will help build upon Delta’s #1 position there.”

ZACH GRIFF/THE POINTS GUY

Separately, the airline will also launch service between John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) and Palm Springs International Airport (PSP) on Dec. 21. This once-weekly service will operate on Saturdays, and it will be operated by the larger Airbus A220-300 aircraft. This jet features 130 seats:12 first-class recliners, 30 Comfort+ extra-legroom seats and 88 standard economy seats.

It shares many of the flyer-friendly features that you'll find on the smaller -100 variant of the A220, including the window in the lavatory.

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Delta currently plans to operate the JFK-to-PSP route seasonally through May 3, 2025, but it's possible that if the route is successful, the airline could expand the season and/or increase frequencies during the week.

These new flights will depart at 8:45 a.m. from New York and land in Palm Springs at 10:50 a.m. The return service will depart at 12:50 p.m. and land in New York at 8:35 p.m.

While these two routes are new to Delta's network, they share something interesting: JetBlue Airways — one of Delta's biggest domestic rivals in Boston and New York — just pulled out of both markets a few weeks ago.

As part of JetBlue's path to profitability, the New York hometown carrier has been shrinking its network to reduce capacity. The airline just announced that it would exit seven more cities, two of which are Palm Springs and San Antonio.

JetBlue's BOS-to-SAT route ends Oct. 26, while the airline's JFK-to-PSP service won't resume as winter-seasonal service.

Delta and JetBlue have fought for years for dominance in two of the biggest markets in the Northeast, and it seems that Delta is quickly picking up the slack left by JetBlue's retreat.

It'll be interesting to see what happens with these routes, especially the Palm Springs service, which JetBlue used to operate daily during the peak winter period. Delta's once-weekly service will certainly appeal to a subset of warm-weather seekers, but it won't work for those who want to travel on days other than Saturday.

Related reading:

Featured image by ZACH GRIFF/THE POINTS GUY
Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

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  • Annual Fee

    $325
  • Recommended Credit

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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.