No need to stop in Atlanta: Delta Air Lines to launch latest point-to-point route from Raleigh-Durham
This spring, Delta Air Lines will launch a new nonstop flight to Kansas City International Airport (MCI) in Missouri with a route that won’t touch any of its major hub cities like Atlanta, Detroit or Salt Lake City.
Beginning in May, the Atlanta-based carrier will serve MCI each day with a Delta Connection regional jet from Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU) in North Carolina.
On its own, the new service — which will transport just over 70 passengers between the cities — might hardly sound newsworthy. But in a lot of ways, this point-to-point route is a sign of Delta’s growing point-to-point network out of RDU, as first reported by Ishrion Aviation.
Delta's new RDU-MCI route
Starting May 7, Delta’s RDU-MCI service — operated by wholly owned regional subsidiary Endeavor Air — will run daily with a morning westbound flight and an evening return to the East Coast.
Here’s how the itinerary shakes out:
- RDU-MCI: Departs 7:55 a.m. Eastern time; arrives 9:41 a.m. Central time
- MCI-RDU: Departs 6:55 p.m. Central time; arrives 10:19 p.m. Eastern time
Growing its North Carolina footprint
This new route is the latest evidence of Delta’s growth aspirations at the central North Carolina airport.
Related: The best credit card welcome bonuses right now
While not a hub for any of the “Big Three” network U.S. carriers — American Airlines, Delta Air Lines and United Airlines — RDU was once a “focus city” for Delta, though the carrier doesn’t use that term anymore.
During the first half of this year, the carrier’s seats from RDU will be up nearly 5% over last year and will come close to the presence Delta had at the airport before the coronavirus pandemic in 2019.
Point-to-point growth
A notable part of Delta's current footprint at the airport is a growing list of flights to destinations other than Delta hubs.
At RDU, Delta competes with United on flights to that carrier's Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) hub. It does the same with American Airlines to Miami International Airport (MIA).
And, the carrier has RDU service to a slew of airports that aren’t its own hubs, including Nashville International Airport (BNA), Harry Reid International Airport (LAS) in Las Vegas, Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG), Tampa International Airport (TPA) and Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) near Washington, D.C. — not to mention Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS), an airport where the carrier has similarly expanded its footprint over the past year.
The significance of this is that if you’re flying Delta out of RDU, there’s a good chance you might not have to connect in Atlanta or elsewhere, as shown on the below map from aviation analytics firm Cirium.
Related: More passengers are paying for first-class seats. That's hurting your upgrade chances
That growth is poised to continue in 2025 with this route and, perhaps, more to come.
Regional subsidiary to launch RDU crew base
Endeavor Air this month said it would launch a crew and maintenance base at the airport during the second quarter of 2025, owing to its bevy of Delta Connection flights to nonhub cities.
“Endeavor’s current network includes considerable RDU-to-outstation activity,” Brian Darsow, Endeavor Air's chief operating officer, noted in a statement announcing the news.
Could that foreshadow more future service?
Time will tell.
We should note: American Airlines last year remained RDU’s top carrier in terms of seats — owed, in part, to its nonstop flight to London’s Heathrow Airport (LHR) on a Boeing 777-200ER that’s a lot larger than any jet Delta flies out of the North Carolina airport.
Meanwhile, both RDU and MCI will surely celebrate this new route in conjunction with significant growth overall.
MCI marked its busiest year ever in 2024, with more than 12 million passengers served.
RDU saw a record-breaking 15.5 million travelers last year, helped, in part, by a fast-growing list of international destinations.
"We appreciate Delta’s long-standing commitment to RDU and the addition of Kansas City to our route map," a spokesperson for RDU told TPG Monday, noting the additional connectivity the airport now offers through Delta's partners, such as fellow SkyTeam partners Air France and Aeromexico, which launched international service from the airport in recent years.
Is there a Delta Sky Club at RDU?
If you're taking one of Delta's nonstop flights out of RDU, you may want to get to the airport a little early. RDU is home to one of its Sky Club airport lounges. Just remember, if you get access via an American Express credit card, there's now an annual limit on how many times you can visit in a calendar year.
American and United each operate lounges at the airport as well.
Related reading:
- Delta SkyMiles: Your complete guide to earning, redeeming and elite status
- 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
- Delta basic economy: What you need to know about bags, seats, boarding and more
TPG featured card
Rewards
| 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. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
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.
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. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
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.