Delta gets approval for South Africa triangle route, will launch Cape Town service
Delta is finally getting its South Africa triangle route.
The Atlanta-based airline has tried for nearly two years to win approval from the South African government to operate an Atlanta (ATL)-Johannesburg (JNB)-Cape Town (CPT)-Atlanta service pattern on its Airbus A350. That approval finally came and service will launch later this year, a Delta spokesperson said.
"Delta is pleased that its application to operate its triangular route from Atlanta-Johannesburg-Cape Town-Atlanta has been approved," the spokesperson said in a statement about the recent approval by regulators. "We look forward to extending our new routing to serve South Africa later this year and offering more choice of travel between the U.S. and South Africa.”
Delta currently operates a nonstop flight from Atlanta to Johannesburg three times a week.
There are two big upsides for Delta to operate a triangle route.
First, Johannesburg's airport, O.R. Tambo International, is over a mile high in elevation — 5,558 feet to be exact. Takeoff at that elevation stretches the abilities of Delta’s A350-900 on the 8,439-mile flight because jet engines have more powerful performance at the higher atmospheric pressure found closer to sea level. On certain days this past Southern Hemisphere summer, Delta's nonstop to Atlanta sometimes required a technical stop in Boston (BOS) due to performance limitations. Cape Town, on the other hand, is only 151 feet above sea level, which will allow Delta to maximize payload and fuel for the return trip to Atlanta without having to make any stops.
From a logistical standpoint, this also gives Delta inexpensive access to Cape Town for the first time, allowing both cities to be served with a single aircraft. With Cape Town being a tourist-heavy market, Delta's bet is that its leisure-focused passengers won't mind a brief stop in Johannesburg.
But, there's more to the story.
More: Delta Air Lines again applies for authority to operate Cape Town flights
Even though Delta will serve Cape Town via its triangle routing, the airline is also pursuing approval from the U.S. Department of Transportation to operate a separate South Africa flight — an Atlanta-Cape Town nonstop. The Delta spokesperson confirmed that the triangle route's approval does not change the carrier's plans for this.
For its proposed Cape Town nonstop, Delta faces competition from United for the remaining South Africa "slots" that are available under the bilateral air service agreement between the two countries. United hopes to launch service to Cape Town from its hub at Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD). It is up to the DOT to decide which carrier wins this route authority.
South Africa has become a big market for U.S. airlines during the COVID-19 pandemic, due to the struggles and subsequent retrenchment of South African Airways. Prior to the pandemic, the Star Alliance carrier served New York's John. F Kennedy International Airport (JFK) and Dulles. Now, the much-diminished carrier doesn't serve any destination outside of Africa. Delta and United — which, in addition to its Cape Town proposal also operates service to Johannesburg and Cape Town from its Newark (EWR) hub — likely see opportunity and demand for the market as travel rebounds.
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- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
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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. |
| 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
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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.