Delta charges into leisure markets with latest route shakeup
Most major airlines have adjusted to the reality of the pandemic by pivoting to flying where people are actually going.
That means fewer flights on key business routes, like New York to Chicago, in favor of more leisure-oriented service to outdoor destinations.
In its latest route network adjustment, Delta's done exactly that. The Atlanta-based carrier is boosting its presence in warm-weather destinations, likely hoping to capture some of the leisure demand that's still flying during the pandemic.
Delta is adding a slew of flights from its New York City-area hubs, according to Cirium schedules and confirmed by the airline, on the following routes:
- New York LaGuardia (LGA) - Hilton Head, South Carolina (HHH)
- New York LaGuardia (LGA) - Key West, Florida (EYW)
- New York LaGuardia (LGA) - Myrtle Beach, South Carolina (MYR)
- New York-JFK - Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts (MVY)
- New York-JFK - Nantucket, Massachusetts (ACK)
Though none of these are new Delta routes, each is getting a big boost compared to historical schedules.
From March through the summer, Delta is now scheduled to operate 790 total flights on the three aforementioned LaGuardia routes, a whopping 530% increase compared to the same time period in 2019, when it flew just 125 flights on the routes, according to Cirium timetables.
The JFK flights are even more interesting. Cirium schedules show that Delta hasn't flown to either Martha's Vineyard or Nantucket since September 2017. Both services are now slated to resume in May 2021, with 14 more flights for the 2021 season, a roughly 10% bump compared to the 2017 timetable.
Beyond the above routes, Delta also will up its frequencies to Miami (MIA) from both LaGuardia and JFK by increasing to four daily round-trip flights by March — up from three currently.
Additionally, two more LaGuardia flights are being added to Delta's schedules on March 2. Twice-daily service to Fort Myers (RSW) will return after operating during the winter holidays. And nonstops to New Orleans (MSY) will join return, restoring a route Delta last flew in April 2020.
It seems clear that Delta's motive here is to take New Yorkers to destinations with built-in social distancing, often referred to as "sun-and-fun" cities, as a safer alternative to places focused on indoor gatherings.
This isn't the first time that Delta has added service to outdoor-focused destinations during the pandemic. In September, the carrier added five new routes from Atlanta and Los Angeles to destinations in the West such as Reno and Palm Springs, which are popular for their mountains and nearby national parks.
Despite Delta's latest route adjustments, the carrier hasn't been nearly as aggressive as its top competitors.
American Airlines recently announced service between Philadelphia and Panama City and Destin-Fort Walton Beach in Florida, as well as Boston to Hilton Head. It also added flights on the presumably overperforming Dallas/Fort Worth to Daytona Beach route.
More: How airline route maps may continue to change in 2021 and beyond
United has also been playing offense.
The Chicago-based airline unveiled a route-map shakeup in August that saw the carrier add 17 new routes, all to various Florida destinations from non-hub airports, like Boston and Cleveland.
Additionally, United is boosting Florida flights from its Denver hub and adding two new routes from Washington/Dulles to Panama City and from Houston to Sarasota/Bradenton over the next few months.
Airlines have repeatedly shown a willingness to try new routes and add service in the hope of generating revenues, particularly when they have hundreds of planes sitting idle.
For Delta, that means adding service on existing leisure-focused routes, even if it means playing "catch up" with some of its competitors.
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.