Delta is suspending service to 12 more destinations in US, Canada
Delta Air Lines is wasting no time in suspending service to more cities now that it has U.S. authorities' blessing to exit more markets as passenger numbers remain at historic lows due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The Atlanta-based SkyTeam Alliance carrier will end service to 11 smaller cities across the U.S. on July 8, Delta said Friday. In addition, it will drop service to Ottawa (YOW) in Canada on June 21.
The suspensions follow the finalization of the Department of Transportation's new round of waivers to the flight schedule requirements of the federal government's coronavirus aid package, known as the CARES Act. Airlines including Delta were granted exemptions from serving five cities or 5% of those on their map — whichever number was higher — through Sept. 30. The exemptions are also the last that the regulator will grant.
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Delta will end service to the following 11 U.S. cities:
- Aspen, Colorado (ASE)
- Bangor, Maine (BGR)
- Erie, Pennsylvania (ERI)
- Flint, Michigan (FNT)
- Fort Smith, Arkansas (FSM)
- Lincoln, Nebraska (LNK)
- New Bern, North Carolina (EWN)
- Peoria, Illinois (PIA)
- Santa Barbara, California (SBA)
- Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania (AVP)
- Williston, North Dakota (XWA)
Delta told staff in an internal memo on June 5 viewed by TPG that it will re-evaluate service to these U.S. destinations after Sept. 30, when the CARES Act restrictions end. At the same time, the airline will also evaluate whether to resume flights to 10 airports in metropolitan areas with multiple airports where it has already suspended flights.
Sandy Gordon, senior vice president of domestic airport operations, told employees in the memo that Delta will re-evaluate its "overall network needs" come October.
Delta is ending service to Ottawa "indefinitely," said Gordon. It has also temporarily suspended service to Saskatoon (YXE) in Canada.
Related: U.S. allows Alaska, Delta, United and others to drop flights to 75 cities
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The air service suspensions come even as travelers slowly trickle back onto planes. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) screened 441,255 people on June 7, its latest data shows. This is the most since people began staying home in large numbers due to COVID-19 in March, but it remains below a fifth of the number screened on the same day a year ago.
U.S. airlines have slowly been adding flights back after deep cuts in April and May. In July, American Airlines will fly 55% of the domestic schedule it flew a year ago, Delta just over 38%, Southwest Airlines over 62% and United Airlines nearly 30%, according to Cirium schedules.
Carriers with larger domestic franchises, like American and Southwest, are faring better as domestic travel is recovering faster than international.
Related: American to reopen lounges, add flights to Florida, Rockies as flyers return
The DOT is allowing American to suspend service to four more cities: Aspen, Montrose (MTJ) and Vail (EGE) in Colorado, and Worcester, Massachusetts (ORH). However, it is only suspending flights to Worcester from June 8 through at least Sept. 30, Cirium schedules show.
United won exemptions from serving 11 cities: Allentown (ABE), Chattanooga (CHA), Fairbanks (FAI), Hilton Head (HHH), Ithaca (ITH), Kalamazoo (AZO), Key West (EYW), Lansing (LAN), Myrtle Beach (MYR), Rochester, Minnesota (RST) and St. Thomas (STT). The airline plans to suspend flights to all of the cities except St. Thomas through Aug. 3, according to Cirium schedules.
Southwest has continued to serve all of the cities on its map and sought no air service waivers. This is not to say the Dallas-based carrier has not adjusted its map, with plans to fly 100 fewer routes by year end.
Related: A complete list of major carriers' coronavirus change and cancellation policies
Travelers whose flights are affected by the suspensions can refund or change their tickets without a fee.
Of course, schedules at American, Delta, United and most carriers are subject to change and flights could resume — or be suspended — at any of the cities where they have received DOT waivers.
And, come Oct. 1, the maps for the three carriers could change dramatically as the airlines adapt to less demand — particularly for international travel — for the foreseeable future.
Analysts at Cowen expect U.S. airlines to shrink their mainline fleets by as many as 1,000 jets, or 21% of their combined fleets, after the pandemic passes. This will result in fewer older, gas-guzzling models but also means less air service for travelers.
Related: US airlines may have to retire 1,000 jets; these are the ones that could end up in the boneyard.
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- 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.
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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
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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.