Delta adds 2 new routes that it hasn't operated in a decade
Even though business travel may not be back at pre-coronavirus pandemic levels, Delta Air Lines is doing what it can to chase demand from road warriors.
The Atlanta-based airline filed plans over the weekend to launch two new routes to Northwest Arkansas National Airport (XNA) in Bentonville, Arkansas. The airline will add daily service to XNA from its hubs at Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW) and Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC), as first seen in Cirium schedules and later confirmed by a carrier spokesperson.
The former will launch Nov. 11, 2024, while the latter will launch Feb. 13, 2025.
Delta Connection affiliates Endeavor Air and SkyWest Airlines will operate the DTW and SLC routes, respectively. Endeavor will fly a 76-seat Bombardier CRJ-900, while SkyWest will deploy a 70-seat Embraer 175 regional jet on its SLC-XNA route.
Delta explained in a statement that it's launching these routes to "bring more choice and more connectivity via our Detroit and Salt Lake City hubs for Delta customers traveling to and from this growing business market.”
Bentonville may not necessarily be on the radar for leisure travelers, but it's a popular business destination largely frequented by consultants and other travelers supporting Walmart's global headquarters operations, which are located there. XNA is also near the city of Fayetteville, home to the University of Arkansas — the flagship state university. Delta travelers based near DTW and SLC can now book convenient one-stop service via these hubs to get to Bentonville faster than before.
In addition to the new service, Delta serves Bentonville from hubs in Atlanta, Minneapolis-St. Paul and New York.
Interestingly, Delta's two new routes are technically resumptions for the carrier, but they haven't been operated in nearly a decade. Delta last flew from Detroit to Bentonville in June 2014, while it last flew from Salt Lake City to Bentonville in June 2015, Cirium schedules show.
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It'll be interesting to see how Delta fares this time around, but the airline is seemingly hopeful.
On its recent second-quarter earnings call, president Glen Hauenstein shared that "we expect the strong growth in business travel to continue, with 90% of companies in our recent corporate survey saying they intend to maintain or increase travel volumes in the back half of the year."
Business travel hasn't recovered to pre-pandemic levels yet, and some airline analysts think that this new demand profile is structural and here to stay. For its part, Delta seems to be focused on chasing whatever pockets of demand it can find. After all, Delta considers itself "the business carrier of choice," according to remarks from Hauenstein on the recent earnings call.
Delta's Big Three competitors — American Airlines and United Airlines — also serve Bentonville with flights from a number of their hubs.
American is the largest carrier at XNA, with service from most of its hubs (Charlotte, Chicago, Dallas-Fort Worth, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Phoenix and Washington, D.C.).
Meanwhile, United serves the city from its Chicago, Denver and Houston hubs.
Related reading:
- Delta SkyMiles: Your complete guide to earning, redeeming and elite status
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- Delta Medallion status: What it is and how to earn it
- Maximize your airfare: The best credit cards for booking flights
- The best credit cards to reach elite status
- How to survive basic economy on Delta Air Lines
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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.
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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. |
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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
$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.