Delta Air Lines again applies for authority to operate Cape Town flights
Delta Air Lines once again wants to fly to Cape Town, South Africa.
The carrier on Thursday filed with the U.S. Department of Transportation for government approval to operate nonstop flights from its hub at Atlanta (ATL), a move that comes even as Delta continues to seek approval for a triangular Atlanta-Johannesburg-Cape Town route that was previously rejected by South African regulators.
If approved, the standard round trip from Atlanta to Cape Town (CPT) would be the airline's second destination in South Africa, after Johannesburg (JNB), which it already serves from Atlanta.
With its latest proposal, Delta hopes to begin Atlanta-Cape Town service on Nov. 18 and is planning to operate it three times a week. It will tentatively depart Atlanta at 8:45 p.m. and arrive at Cape Town at 6:45 p.m. the next day, all times local. The return flight will depart Cape Town at 9 p.m. and arrive in Atlanta at 6:25 a.m. the next day. It's planning for the Cape Town route to operate year-round.
Delta plans to use its flagship Airbus A350-900 aircraft for the ultra-long-haul route. Delta's configuration features 32 Delta One Suites, 48 seats in Delta Premium Select, 36 extra legroom Comfort+ seats and 190 economy seats.
Delta tried in 2020 and 2021 to launch an Atlanta-Johannesburg-Cape Town-Atlanta triangle route, but shelved the idea when it failed to win the approval of the South African government. Instead, it operates nonstop to Johannesburg. Thursday's filing noted that Delta is still technically seeking South African government approval for the triangle route. Delta last operated flights to Cape Town in 2009, with a stop in Dakar, Senegal (DKR).
In a statement, Delta said it hoped to receive approval for what it calls an "important route."
"Delta has submitted an application to the U.S. Department of Transportation for three times weekly service between Atlanta and Cape Town," the airline said. "As always, we seek to build our flight schedules and network around where our customers want to fly. We hope to receive approval to operate nonstop Delta service on this important route."
Delta's filing comes a week after United Airlines announced it would begin serving Cape Town from its Newark (EWR) hub, year-round, three times weekly. That flight, which began right before the COVID-19 pandemic, resumed in December. Like Delta, United also flies to Johannesburg. The Chicago-based Star Alliance carrier uses Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft for its South Africa routes.
As for Delta's initial plan for the triangle route, that came because flying an A350 from Johannesburg to Atlanta initially presented the carrier with a problem. Due to Johannesburg's high elevation, the A350 couldn’t reach Atlanta at maximum payload. That’s why the carrier originally proposed the tag flight to Cape Town, where it could refuel at sea level before beginning the 8,130-mile trek back to the U.S. But with Delta having already having started the Atlanta-Johannesburg service, even with any payload restrictions that could affect the return, the carrier also now seems set on adding Cape Town one way or the other.
More: The ultimate guide to Delta One Suites
With Delta's filing and United's announcement, it's clear that U.S. airlines are banking on increased travel demand to South Africa, especially as South African Airways continues to emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic without any overseas routes.
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| 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. |
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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
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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.