Delta adds 5 routes but cuts 7 others in latest network expansion
Delta Air Lines is making another big play for New York, adding a slew of new routes from the Big Apple.
The airline will add service from its hub at New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) to Houston's George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH), Memphis International Airport (MEM) and St. Louis Lambert International Airport (STL) beginning Sept. 8. The airline will operate all three routes once per day.
Meanwhile, from its hub at the other airport in Queens — LaGuardia Airport (LGA) — Delta will extend the season on flights to Panama City Beach's Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport (ECP). Daily flights for this service, which is already scheduled on a once-weekly basis during the summer, will now kick off Nov. 6 for the winter season.
Delta has one more expansion planned for New York. This one, from Westchester County Airport (HPN), will operate daily to Delta's hub at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP) beginning Sept. 8.
Delta is adding five new routes in total. Two new services — one from Salt Lake City to Little Rock, Arkansas, and another from Austin to Palm Springs, California — round out the expansion. The Salt Lake City flights will operate daily beginning Sept. 8, while the new Austin service will operate seasonally in the winter on Saturdays starting Nov. 8.
It's not all good news, though, as Delta is cutting seven routes as part of this expansion, as first seen in Cirium timetables and later confirmed by a carrier spokesperson.
The affected routes are:
- Atlanta to Fresno, California
- Detroit to San Jose, California
- Minneapolis-St. Paul to Albuquerque
- Minneapolis-St. Paul to Buffalo
- Minneapolis-St. Paul to Fairbanks
- Minneapolis-St. Paul to Great Falls, Montana
- Salt Lake City to Toronto

This isn't the only expansion that Delta recently filed. Over the weekend, the airline added seven new point-to-point routes to Orlando that don't touch any of the carrier's hubs.
As a hub-and-spoke carrier, Delta doesn't usually offer one-off flights from nonhub airports, but demand to Orlando is seemingly strong enough to support some of those one-off flights. (Plus, Delta can poach some traffic from two wounded competitors — Spirit Airlines and Southwest Airlines — both of which are undergoing major commercial transformations that are sure to rankle some frequent flyers.)
This latest expansion spree from Delta seems to be aimed at doubling down on its position from key hubs, especially in New York.
Delta is already the largest carrier at both JFK and LGA, and this expansion is poised to keep it firmly in first place.
As such, the airline is seemingly trying to do as much as it can to woo locals to choose it over the competition. That's great news for flyers, as it will give them more choices — and hopefully lower fares — in many markets. Fingers crossed that Delta SkyMiles redemption rates aren't sky-high, though.
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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.
- 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.
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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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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.

