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Report: Delta will add flights to keep planes from filling up through July

May 19, 2020
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2 min read
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Report: Delta will add flights to keep planes from filling up through July
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Delta has been among the U.S. airlines leading the way when it comes to making customers feel safe and appreciated during the coronavirus pandemic, taking extraordinary measures to make us feel comfortable flying again.

In addition to being the first U.S. carrier to extend elite status benefits, Delta has been far more flexible about cancellations than many of its peers, and announced that it would be blocking middle seats for sale beginning some six weeks ago.

Now, according to information provided to Reuters, Delta will extend its current reduced-seating policy through July, at a minimum, and will also begin adding flights to the schedule to meet demand. The Reuters report cited unnamed "people familiar with the matter," and Delta declined to confirm the report.

But it's that latter detail about adding flights is especially interesting. It means Delta will effectively consider a flight to be "sold-out" once bookings reach 60% of available seats, and will add new flights in order to continue selling tickets on any given route instead of selling the remaining unoccupied seats on the original flight. Employing that extra flexibility, Delta will allow more passengers to travel while still guaranteeing extra space onboard.

Speaking during the Wolfe Transportation & Industrials Conference on Tuesday, Delta CFO Paul Jacobson acknowledged the move, stating that the airline "will add about 100 flights in June."

United Airlines, meanwhile, has confirmed that it's been "upgauging" flights to meet demand where possible — swapping in a larger plane to add more capacity and enabling some onboard distancing, on roughly 35-40 flights per day.

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We reached out to Delta regarding an extension of the 60% cap through July, but the airline isn't yet able to confirm the move. A spokesperson told TPG: "We announced a policy on seating capacity through June 30. Nothing has been decided beyond that but we are continuing to monitor the situation and make adjustments as necessary."

Alaska Airlines and Southwest are continuing to cap ticket sales, as well. Currently, Alaska has confirmed that first-class ticket sales are capped at 50%, all middle seats on large aircraft and all aisle seats on smaller aircraft are blocked for sale through June 30. Meanwhile, Southwest has reduced available seats by at least 20%, currently through June 5.

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  • Intro Offer

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  • Annual Fee

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  • Recommended Credit

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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.