Delta Air Lines unveils 4 new routes, expanded service to Latin America
Delta Air Lines is boosting its presence across Latin America with the addition of four new routes and expanded service to one of its newest destinations.
The Atlanta-based carrier will add service during the winter season to Barbados; Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic; Mazatlan, Mexico; and Curacao.
Delta will serve a total of 50 cities in Latin America and the Caribbean next winter, offering one-stop access to nearly 200 cities worldwide.
All of the new and expanded routes will be operated by the Boeing 737-800 aircraft, which features 16 first-class recliners, 36 Comfort+ extra-legroom seats and 108 standard economy seats.
Here are all the details of Delta's latest expansion.
Delta's new Barbados service
Delta jets will once again land in Barbados beginning later this year.
The airline is adding new service to Bridgetown, Barbados, from both Atlanta and New York later this year.
Atlanta service will operate daily beginning Nov. 23, while service from New York commences Dec. 21 on a once-weekly Saturday-only basis.
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Delta last flew to Barbados in August 2017, according to Cirium schedules. As such, both routes technically represent resumptions for the carrier.
Delta's new Puerto Plata service
Delta hasn't flown to Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic, since 2011, but that will change later this year.
The airline will once again connect Atlanta with the city Nov. 23, on a daily basis.
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Delta's new Mazatlan service
Another city that'll see new Delta service is Mazatlan in Mexico.
The airline will connect Mazatlan with its hub at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP) on a three-times-weekly basis starting on Dec. 21.
The flights will operate on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Delta last flew there in March 2019, according to Cirium schedules, so this route is also technically a resumption for the carrier.
Delta's MSP-Mazatlan service matches a route offered by Minnesota-based budget rival Sun Country, which also offers up to four flights per week on the route during the winter.
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Delta's expanded Curacao service
Delta relaunched service to Curacao for the first time in 13 years in December.
The airline added once-weekly flights from its Atlanta megahub Dec. 16, 2023, and this service has seemingly outperformed the airline's expectations.
That's because beginning Nov. 23, Delta will fly the route on a daily basis.
This move is welcome news for those looking to explore this quieter Dutch Caribbean island.
Curacao may be a lesser-known Caribbean destination for Americans, but it boasts expansive coral reefs and hidden beaches that could offer a much more relaxing vacation than visiting some of the busier islands in the Caribbean.
Bottom line
Delta's latest expansion is targeted at those craving warm-weather vacations.
The airline's leisure-focused play in the Caribbean makes sense during the winter season when travel demand to warm-weather destinations picks up.
Also, by launching most of the new flights from Atlanta, the airline can tap into its nationwide network to help fill the planes with connecting feed.
“Delta is establishing vital connections from Atlanta and across the U.S. that allow our customers to reach their dream vacation destinations with ease. This latest schedule gives travelers unparalleled choice, with up to 1,000 weekly flights to distinctive places throughout Latin America and the Caribbean," Joe Esposito, Delta’s senior vice president of network planning, said in a statement.
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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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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.