Delta adds 5 interesting new routes, including a unique flight from LaGuardia
Delta Air Lines is back at it with a slew of interesting new routes.
This time, though, the Atlanta-based carrier is mostly boosting point-to-point connectivity rather than adding spokes to its key hub airports.
Specifically, the carrier will add the following five routes later this year, as confirmed by airline spokesperson Drake Castañeda.
- Austin — Las Vegas
- Austin — Orlando
- Las Vegas — Sacramento
- Las Vegas — San Diego
- New York — Nassau, Bahamas
All of the aforementioned routes will commence on Oct. 9, except for the new LaGuardia Airport (LGA) service, which will take off on Dec. 16 — just in time for the busy winter holiday season.
Delta will fly between Las Vegas and San Diego twice a day, and the other new flights will operate on a once-daily basis. These new flights will be loaded into Delta's schedule over the weekend and will be bookable by no later than Monday, July 10.
As you can see, the airline's additions from Austin and Las Vegas don't touch a hub. Instead, these point-to-point flights connect busy origin and destination (O&D) markets that boast lots of nonstop demand. (That's also why Delta will have so much competition on these routes from competitors ranging from American Airlines and Southwest Airlines to Spirit Airlines and other carriers.)
Interestingly, Austin has been one of the hottest aviation markets in recent years. During the pandemic, the Texas capital saw increased service from a slew of airlines; perhaps most notably, American added multiple tranches of new routes as it grew its presence in the city.
Before the pandemic, Delta considered Austin among one of its five focus cities — those cities are Austin, Cincinnati, Nashville, Raleigh-Durham and San Jose, California — a list that's since been pared down to just two key airports: Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) and Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU).
As such, since Austin is still a focus city for the airline, Delta's growth there shouldn't come as much of a surprise. The airline last flew between Austin and Orlando in January 2015, Cirium schedules show, while the route to Las Vegas is a new one for the carrier.
Being one of the fastest-growing metropolitan areas in the country, Austin has seen a steady stream of companies moving into the area. Plus, with the city’s vibrant arts and entertainment scene, it’s a popular destination for leisure travelers.
Along with Delta, American, Alaska, Allegiant Air, Hawaiian Airlines, JetBlue and Southwest have all unveiled new routes to Austin recently.
As for Vegas, the city also sees millions of leisure and business travelers each year, and Delta's new routes there should help boost its presence in Sin City and along the West Coast. (Notably, the route from Vegas to San Diego is technically a resumption from April 2020, Cirium schedules show.)
Finally, there's the interesting new seasonal daily flight from New York's LaGuardia Airport (LGA) to Nassau that's launching on Dec. 16 and will run through April 7, 2024.
You don't often see new international services to and from LGA since the airport doesn't offer a federal inspection station for customs and immigration formalities. Therefore, the only international flights that can be flown to LaGuardia are those that arrive from pre-cleared destinations that offer U.S. customs and immigration before departure.
One such airport is Nassau, so when you arrive in LaGuardia, you'll essentially be treated as if you landed on a domestic flight.
Adding this new service from New York will go head-to-head against JetBlue's existing flight in this market. LaGuardia is the airport of choice for many New York City residents, so Delta should have no issue marketing this new service to those looking for some fun in the sun this winter.
Delta last flew between the two cities in January 2017, and the airline's existing service from New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) to Nassau isn't changing as part of this update.
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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.