Delta pares back 2 new flights before they launch, adds 4 routes
Delta Air Lines is making some noteworthy updates to its network.
To start, the Atlanta-based carrier is making two big adjustments in New York City, where it's paring back service on two of its newest routes before they even launch.
Delta no longer plans to fly from John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) to Memphis International Airport (MEM) and St. Louis Lambert International Airport (STL) during the winter season, as first seen in Cirium schedules and later confirmed by a carrier spokesperson.
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Delta first announced these new routes in May as part of a broader expansion that includes service from JFK to Houston's George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) and from nearby LaGuardia Airport (LGA) to Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport (ECP) in Panama City, Florida.
Airlines don't often make major frequency and seasonal changes just before new routes take off, so demand seemingly hasn't been as hot in these two markets as Delta would've expected.
The good news is that Delta has already identified a replacement for one of these routes during the winter. The airline filed plans to launch daily flights from JFK to Sarasota Brandenton International Airport (SRQ) in Florida from Dec. 20, 2025, through May 6, 2026, as first seen in Cirium schedules.
This new flight was originally going to operate only during the Christmas and New Year's holiday period, but now it will fly throughout the winter season. Delta Connection affiliate Republic Airways will operate the flight.
Elsewhere, Delta will be adding three other new routes:
- Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) to Hector International Airport (FAR) in Fargo, North Dakota
- Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) to Los Cabos International Airport (SJD) in Mexico
- Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP) to Eagle County Regional Airport (EGE) near Vail, Colorado
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All these routes take off Dec. 20, 2025, and will operate throughout the winter season. Service to Fargo will operate daily and joins Delta's existing flights to this North Dakota city from its hub at MSP.
Meanwhile, flights from Austin will operate daily through April 12, 2026. Finally, the new service from Minneapolis to Vail will operate daily from Dec. 20, 2025, through Jan. 5, 2026, Delta's original plan, plus weekly on Saturdays from Jan. 10, 2026, through March 28, 2026, which basically covers all of ski season.
Of all these network adjustments, perhaps the most interesting is the one that doesn't touch a hub: Austin to San Jose del Cabo, Mexico.
Though Delta doesn't operate a hub in Austin, the Texas capital has been a focus city for Delta for years, and the growth isn't slowing down anytime soon.
In a recent interview with TPG, Delta's network chief Paul Baldoni said that "we're getting up to now close to 60 departures a day [along with our partners]. When we get to close to around 120 daily departures, you start building some of that connectivity that exists in what you would call a hub, whether we call Austin a hub or not."
Delta has primarily been focused on adding nonstop connectivity for locals based in Austin, and while that will continue to be the primary focus, the airline will be adding more connecting itineraries via the city as a by-product of all its expansion there.
While "we're not really there yet," Baldoni said, "we want to continue to build Austin primarily for the local customer, but a natural consequence of that will be the connecting traffic."
The airline might not be that far away from calling Austin a hub, and with this latest move, the carrier seems one step closer to making that a reality.
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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
- 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.