Delta adds 3 new routes, defends NYC and Minneapolis hubs against competitors
Delta Air Lines is out with a network expansion aimed at firming up its presence in New York and Minneapolis.
The airline is adding three new routes from these hubs and will boost several existing frequencies over the coming weeks in a bid to entrench its position from increased competition. The network adjustments were first seen in Cirium schedules and later confirmed to TPG by the carrier.
New York gets a new route and lots more flights
Delta's hubs at both New York-JFK and LaGuardia airports are growing in the latest schedule update.
The airline will add one new route from LaGuardia to Providence, Rhode Island (PVD), beginning on Jan. 5, 2022, operating up to three times daily through the end of the schedule in October 2022. Delta Connection affiliate Endeavor Air will fly a CRJ-900 on the new 143-mile route.
Additionally, the airline will connect LaGuardia with the state capital in Albany (ALB) starting on Jan. 5, 2022, marking the first time Delta has flown the route since June 2012. Endeavor Air will fly a CRJ-900 in the market.
As for the increased frequencies, Delta is officially bringing back its hourly shuttle between LaGuardia and Boston starting in January 2022. The airline confirmed that it'll fly up to 16 times a day in each direction, offering "the most conveniently timed and reliable service of any other carrier."
Interestingly, the move to boost the shuttle service comes on the heels of American Airlines' announcement that it's pulling out of this market. American will instead let its Northeast Alliance partner, JetBlue, operate exclusively on the hotly competitive route.
Unlike American, JetBlue doesn't operate a first-class cabin in the market, so Delta will be the only airline with a premium cabin for the plethora of business travelers who frequent this route.
Delta isn't just boosting this key business route, though. Several leisure-focused flights are also getting a big schedule expansion.
This includes LaGuardia to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina (MYR), and Pensacola, Florida (PNS), along with New York-JFK to Sarasota/Bradenton, Florida (SRQ), which together saw a 184% increase in the number of flights for 2022, according to Cirium schedules.
For Delta, bulking up the New York schedule helps the airline entrench itself as the carrier of choice for the local market. As American and JetBlue team up in the Northeast (the latest cuts notwithstanding), Delta may be feeling pressure to boost its schedule and keep its competitors at bay.
2 new Minneapolis routes, going up against Sun Country
Just like Delta is defending its position in the Northeast, the airline is making a similar move in the Twin Cities.
Delta is adding two new routes from MSP Airport to Asheville, North Carolina (AVL), and Burlington, Vermont (BTV), beginning on April 15, 2022, and June 7, 2022, respectively. These new flights will go head-to-head against Minneapolis-based budget carrier Sun Country. (Another ultra-low-cost carrier, Allegiant Air, flies from MSP to Asheville, in what might've been a tit-for-tat move against Sun Country.)
Delta is also bringing back the following four markets from MSP for the summer 2022 season, which previously weren't on the schedule to operate next year.
- Myrtle Beach, South Carolina (MYR)
- Providence, Rhode Island (PVD)
- Portland, Maine (PWM)
- Savannah, Georgia (SAV)
The airline is also extending the schedule for its MSP to Jackson, Wyoming (JAC), route to include service during summer 2022.
With these boosts, Delta is going up against Sun County, which operates flights to all five of the aforementioned destinations.
In fact, in mid-October, Sun Country announced seven new cities to its network from MSP, which includes Burlington, as well as returning service to Asheville and Savannah.
Sun Country and Delta have different business models. The former operates as a discount carrier focused on giving Minnesotans access to leisure-oriented destinations nationwide. For Delta, however, serving Minneapolis isn't just about the local traffic — it's also one of its nine hubs through which it can funnel traffic.
With this latest boost, it's clear that Delta is getting serious about protecting its turf from the competition in the local market with more nonstop options for locals (and connecting traffic) alike.
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 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. |
| 5X | New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Valuable dining and food-related credits
- Flexible rewards with airline and hotel transfer partners
- Multiple travel and purchase protections
- No foreign transaction fees
- Access to Amex Offers for additional savings (enrollment required)
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 $8,000 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.
- New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- Pay It® lets you tap in the American Express® App to quickly pay for small purchase amounts throughout the month and still earn rewards the way you usually do. Plan It® gives you the option to split up big purchases into equal monthly payments with a fixed fee. You’ll know upfront exactly how much you’ll pay.
- Updated! $120 Dining Credit: Earn up to a total of $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the Gold Card at Grubhub (including Seamless), Buffalo Wild Wings, Five Guys, The Cheesecake Factory, and Wonder. This can be an annual savings of up to $120. Enrollment required.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants after you pay for eligible purchases with the American Express® Gold Card. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: Earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin’ locations. Enrollment required.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Enjoy up to $120 in Uber Cash annually with your Gold Card. Just add your Card to your Uber account and you'll get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
- New! As an American Express® Gold Card Member, you can enjoy complimentary Hertz Five Star® Status. Enjoy benefits like skipping the counter at select locations, adding an additional driver at no additional cost*, and vehicle upgrades**. Benefit enrollment and Hertz Gold+ registration are required. *Additional drivers must meet standard rental qualifications and must be a spouse or domestic partner to qualify as complimentary. Other additional drivers subject to fees. **Benefits are subject to availability and vary by location. Additional Hertz program Terms and Conditions including age restrictions apply.
- Take advantage of a $100 credit towards eligible charges* at over 1,300 upscale hotels worldwide when you book The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App **. *Eligible charges vary by property. **The Hotel Collection requires a two-night minimum stay.
- Book your travel through the Amex Travel App with added peace of mind – backed by American Express® service and support. Only for American Express® Card Members.
- Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.