Delta cuts 3 routes from Los Angeles, adds new regional flight from Detroit
JetBlue isn't the only airline making cuts at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX): Delta Air Lines' hub at LAX will have three fewer routes later this year.
The Atlanta-based carrier filed plans over the weekend to drop three flights from LAX, as first seen in Cirium schedules and later confirmed by a carrier spokesperson.
This includes the 337-mile intrastate service from LAX to the Bay Area's Oakland International Airport (OAK), which will cease operating May 7. Delta has operated this puddle-jumper route since 2007, Cirium schedules show.
The airline will reallocate this flying to other LAX markets, but the carrier did not confirm which routes would see capacity increases or new services as part of this shake-up.
Interestingly, Delta will boost its presence in Oakland this summer with a new route to its megahub in Atlanta, beginning June 7.
As for the LAX-to-Oakland route, Delta explained the move is in response to weak demand, saying in a statement that the cut is designed "to fit the current demand environment."
When Delta's service ends, it'll leave Southwest Airlines with a monopoly on this route.
Additionally, Delta will also scrap two routes from its LAX winter schedule: Bozeman, Montana, and Vail, Colorado. These two ski markets were slated to be connected with LAX at the start of the upcoming winter season.
Just like the Oakland cut, Delta explained in a statement that these cuts are being made "as the demand environment for winter travel comes into clearer focus."
Going forward, travelers based in Los Angeles flying nonstop to Bozeman can travel with American Airlines, Alaska Airlines or United Airlines. American will have a monopoly on the LA-to-Vail route this winter, according to Cirium schedules.
All hope isn't lost, though, because Delta says that it'll announce additional updates to its winter ski routes in the coming weeks. Hopefully, this will translate to more service, but there's no telling what the carrier has in the works.
In recent years, Delta has been busy marketing itself as LA's largest global carrier. The carrier offers nearly 160 daily flights to 52 destinations across the globe, as well as 19 of the top 20 markets for LA-based flyers.
In addition to its expansive network, Delta continues to invest millions of dollars into (much needed) renovations and expansions of its LAX terminal. Dubbed the new Sky Way at LAX, Delta's new Terminal 3 is chock-full of amenities, such as one of the world's nicest Sky Clubs (with a stunning year-round terrace overlooking the runway and Hollywood Hills in the distance).
Delta is also investing in the premium experience at LAX; this includes the recent opening of an all-new Delta One check-in facility with a private security lane that leads directly to the lounge. Later this year, the carrier will also open a business-class-only lounge at LAX.
All of this investment comes as Delta faces increased competition for the local market in LA. Every major U.S. airline considers LA a hub or focus city, and there's no clear "winner" carrier in the market.
In addition to these three domestic route cuts, Delta recently filed plans to pare back long-haul connectivity to LA by suspending service to London.
Elsewhere in the country, Delta will resume flying between Detroit and Fort Wayne, Indiana. This 128-mile route was scrapped in October 2022 due to the pilot shortage. This resumption joins Delta's existing service from the Fort Wayne International Airport (FWA) to Atlanta and Minneapolis.
Nonstop service to Detroit returns June 7, with once-daily Delta Connection service on the 76-seat CRJ-900 regional jet operated by affiliate SkyWest Airlines.
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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.