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Delta launches flights to London Gatwick after 15 years

April 16, 2023
3 min read
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Delta launches flights to London Gatwick after 15 years
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Delta Air Lines is expanding its presence in London.

The Atlanta-based carrier launched nonstop service between New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) and London Gatwick Airport (LGW). The flights bring Delta back to Gatwick for the first time in 15 years.

Heathrow Airport (LHR) is London’s main international hub and the one preferred by most business travelers (as well as many leisure customers). Gatwick — London’s second-busiest airport — skews toward regional and leisure routes. But Delta’s return to the airport underscores growing competition on routes between the U.S. and London.

JetBlue made London its first European destination in August 2021, launching flights first to Heathrow and then later to Gatwick. JetBlue now flies to both London airports from its hubs at JFK and Boston Logan International Airport (BOS).

Related: JetBlue will fly to London's Heathrow and Gatwick: Which route should you choose?

JetBlue’s entry into the market opened a new front in the long-standing competition among the U.S. “Big Three” on routes to London. American Airlines, Delta and United Airlines combine to offer dozens of daily flights just between Heathrow and New York. Throw in joint-venture partners (American is closely aligned with British Airways while Delta owns a large stake in Virgin Atlantic) and their share of the London market is stronger.

But JetBlue, in launching its own service to London, pledged to undercut the fares charged by its big U.S. rivals and their alliance partners. JetBlue said that would include its Mint cabin, which includes luxe lie-flat seats and service that compares favorably to the business-class product of its bigger rivals.

Delta first revealed plans for seasonal JFK-LGW service in September 2022 — just a year after JetBlue began flying to London. Delta now says it plans to fly the route year-round.

With this addition to its map, Delta becomes the only one of the Big Three U.S. airlines to fly to LGW. JetBlue, Lufthansa and other ultra-low-cost Scandinavian airlines like Norse Atlantic Airways already fly to LGW.

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Related: Virgin Atlantic and Delta return to London Heathrow's Terminal 3 on July 15, Clubhouse reopens

Gatwick welcomed Delta's return to the airport, which is less known among U.S. travelers than Heathrow.

LGW CEO Stewart Wingate said the new route would promote more competition and add a second London option for Delta customers.

“It also demonstrates the strong pull of Gatwick as an airport for big-name, long-haul airlines,” he added in a statement.

Here is Delta’s schedule for flights between JFK and LGW:

  • Departing from LGW at 2:10 p.m. and arriving at JFK at 5 p.m.
  • Departing from JFK at 11:35 p.m. and arriving at LGW at 12 p.m. (next day).

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Featured image by SEAN CUDAHY/THE POINTS GUY
Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

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  • 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.