Delta adds Morocco in 3-route expansion; new links to Ghana and Cancun coming, too
Even before spring travel ramps up, Delta Air Lines is making big plans for next winter.
The Atlanta-based carrier on Friday announced three new routes that it hopes will be hits with travelers: two long-haul routes to Africa and one much shorter flight to a popular Mexican beach destination.
In the splashiest of the three routes unveiled Friday, Delta revealed it will launch nonstop service to Marrakech in October. In the process, it will become just the second U.S. carrier serving Morocco, months after United Airlines launched service to the historic city from Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR).
That new-plane smell: On board the first Delta Air Lines jet sporting its all-new cabin look
But Morocco isn’t Delta’s only new Africa route: In December, the carrier will kick off new seasonal service from Atlanta to Accra, Ghana.
Closer to home, the carrier plans to continue its fast growth in Austin with a new wintertime flight from Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) to Cancun.
Altogether, Friday’s announcement packs plenty of reason for excitement about next winter, even as much of the country is only beginning to thaw from the most recent cold snap.
Here’s what to know about each of the three routes — including the dates, planes and premium cabins Delta will offer on the new flights.
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Delta’s new Marrakech service
Headlining Friday’s winter 2025-26 “route drop,” Delta will launch nonstop flights from its Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) home base to Marrakech, Morocco, on Oct. 25.
The new flight will give the U.S. a second link to the Moroccan city, which I had the chance to visit last October when United became the first U.S. carrier serving the popular travel destination.
Marrakech is known for its sprawling medina, with its seemingly endless souks — or open-air markets.
The city also welcomed a new Park Hyatt property last year, and there’s a variety of additional hotels where you can redeem points; during my visit, I opted for the Le Meridien N’Fis, a Marriott Bonvoy property that's a short drive from the historic walled-off portion of the city.
Delta will operate its service to Marrakech Menara Airport (RAK) three times each week with its Boeing 767-400ER, which includes both Delta One and Delta Premium Select.
Beyond Delta and United, Royal Air Maroc operates flights between Morocco and the U.S., with nonstop Casablanca service to three East Coast cities.
More Delta news: Delta cuts 2 Central America routes, but restores 2 West Coast flights for summer 2025
Delta bolsters Ghana nonstop service
Meanwhile, Delta plans to add a second nonstop link to Accra, Ghana, late this year.
On Dec. 1, the carrier will launch seasonal flights to Kotoka International Airport (ACC) from Atlanta.
Delta will operate the route with its Airbus A330-900neo on a daily basis during the winter months.
The service will complement Delta’s year-round nonstop Accra flights out of New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK).
Buoyed by travelers who make frequent trips between the U.S. and Ghana, Delta says its JFK-Accra service is among the best-performing of its six current Africa routes.
United is the only other airline serving Accra from the U.S., with its nonstop flights from Washington's Dulles International Airport (IAD).
Growing its presence in Africa
Adding ATL flights to Accra and Marrakech will give Delta eight nonstop flights to Africa, as shown on the below map from Cirium.
On top of these new routes and the JFK-ACC service, the carrier flies from Atlanta to Cape Town and Johannesburg, South Africa; connects Atlanta and JFK with Lagos, Nigeria; and flies from JFK to Dakar, Senegal.
“Delta’s new service to Marrakech and added flights to Accra strengthen our presence in Africa, offering more opportunities for customers to enjoy our award-winning service and premium onboard experience,” Delta senior vice president of network planning Paul Baldoni said in a statement announcing the news.
Read more: Jump-start the new year: Earn up to 110,000 bonus SkyMiles with these new offers
Adding Cancun flights from Austin
Finally, there's a much shorter — but likely to be popular — route Delta is plotting for next winter.
Just as holiday travel kicks into high gear, the carrier will launch seasonal service from Austin to Cancun International Airport (CUN) in Mexico.
Read more: 14 best all-inclusive resorts in Cancun
The new flight to Mexico will continue Delta’s fast growth in Austin, where its total number of seats offered in 2025 was already set to spike by 23% over last year — and by 45% over 2023 — according to data from aviation analytics firm Cirium.
Delta will fly the route daily through mid-April 2026 with an Airbus A320 featuring its domestic first class recliners.
Delta will have competition on its AUS-CUN route. American Airlines and Southwest Airlines both connect the Texas capital with the popular vacation spot.
Related reading:
- Your complete guide to the Delta SkyMiles program
- Best Delta credit cards
- 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 in 2025
- Delta basic economy: What you need to know about bags, seats, boarding and more
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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.