Delta Air Lines unveils 2 long-haul routes from NYC to South America
Delta Air Lines is adding two exciting lines to its route map.
The carrier will launch new service from New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) to Buenos Aires later this year, and it'll also resume seasonal flights from JFK to Rio de Janeiro after a more than three-year hiatus, as first seen in Cirium schedules and later confirmed by the carrier.
Delta last flew from New York to Rio in March 2020 before suspending flights indefinitely due to the pandemic.
Daily service to the Argentinian capital will begin on Oct. 28, 2023, and will run through March 29, 2024. The daily Rio flight will commence once again on Dec. 16, 2023, and operate through Feb. 21, 2024.
The 5,282-mile Buenos Aires route will be operated by a 238-seat Boeing 767-400, which features 34 Delta One pods, 20 Premium Select recliners, 28 extra-legroom Comfort+ seats and 156 standard main cabin seats.
Meanwhile, the 4,786-mile Rio route will be flown by a recently retrofitted 216-seat Boeing 767-300 that now sports a four-cabin configuration. This jet, the "76K" as it's referred to internally, has 26 Delta One pods, 18 Premium Select recliners, 21 extra-legroom Comfort+ seats and 151 standard economy seats.
Aviation observers likely won't be surprised to see Delta formally relaunch service between New York and Buenos Aires — a market the carrier briefly served between December 2008 and March 2009. The carrier filed for permission from the U.S. Department of Transporation (DOT) on Jan. 12 to restart this route, and the agency formally approved the request on Jan. 25.
In Delta's petition to the DOT, the airline shared that it wanted to "bring additional competition" to the market that's been dominated by two carriers, American and Aerolineas Argentinas. (United dropped its route from Newark to Buenos Aires in October 2019, Cirium schedules show.)
Delta's argument is bolstered by the fact that it can offer plenty of one-stop connecting opportunities through New York for travelers headed to Argentina. Additionally, the airline said that its "superior operational reliability and customer service will also benefit passengers who would make use of the proposed services."
Perhaps most interestingly, Delta asked the DOT to approve year-round service between New York and Argentina, but now Delta confirmed that it's only planning to load flights for the winter season.
Time will tell whether the airline moves forward with adding flights for next summer, as originally promised.
Of the two new routes, only the Rio one will operate as part of the new joint venture partnership with the South American mega-carrier LATAM.
Delta shocked the industry in September 2019 when it announced that it was taking a 20% stake in LATAM, pulling the airline away from the Oneworld frequent flyer alliance. As part of the investment, Delta is working to create a strategic alliance with LATAM, boosting flights in key U.S. gateway airports to Latin America.
The joint venture allows the two carriers to split revenue on flights between the U.S. and Canada, and South America. The deal also comes with antitrust immunity, meaning that Delta and LATAM can coordinate schedules and fares in those markets.
Delta and LATAM have already rolled out multiple customer-facing enhancements under the joint venture, including reciprocal frequent flyer accrual and redemption, elite perks and lounge access benefits.
To date, the partnership has enabled the two airlines to launch two new routes — Orlando to Bogota and Los Angeles to Sao Paulo — though more are expected to be in the works.
This is just the latest round of network updates for Delta. Recently, the carrier announced a slew of new flights from Texas, while last month Delta unveiled plans to add new service to Auckland, New Zealand; and Nice, France.
Additionally, Delta will cease serving Nagoya, Japan, later this month when it cuts its long-standing long-haul route from Detroit.
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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.
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- $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.