Delta upgrades 4 of its newest transatlantic routes, bringing big growth to NYC, LA
Just a few months after announcing nine new transatlantic routes, Delta Air Lines is back with an exciting update.
The Atlanta-based carrier plans to upgrade four of these new long-haul flights to year-round service, a carrier spokesperson tells TPG. The international flights that'll be flown year-round include:
- Los Angeles — London.
- Los Angeles — Paris.
- New York — Berlin.
- New York — Geneva.
When Delta first announced these flights in September, the airline unveiled a big summer-focused expansion, designed to capitalize on the increased demand for transatlantic vacations during the warmer months and school breaks.
That's why the airline had originally scheduled all of the aforementioned flights to end on Oct. 27, 2023, and possibly return in the following summer season.
However, demand has seemingly been strong enough to support the upgrade to year-round service. Delta will load the additional flights into its schedule over the weekend, and the new frequencies will be available for purchase by Monday, Jan. 30.
Perhaps most interesting is the expansion of flights to Geneva, which will be a brand-new pin on Delta's route map when flights commence on April 10. Delta last flew to the Swiss city 30 years ago, in 1993.
Equally exciting for Delta customers is the transatlantic expansion in two of Delta's big coastal hubs. Los Angeles hasn't been connected to Europe with Delta flights since March 2020, so this is welcome news for loyalists based in Southern California who prefer the convenience of a nonstop flight to Europe.
Delta hasn't flown from L.A. to London since October 2015, and the carrier will go up against multiple daily flights available on American, United and British Airways in the market. Delta's transatlantic joint venture partner Virgin Atlantic also operates up to three daily flights between the two cities.
Meanwhile, Air France and Air Tahiti Nui connect L.A. and Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG), and Delta's service will supplement what's offered by the former carrier, another one of its transatlantic joint venture partners. In addition, budget carrier French Bee flies from LAX to Paris Orly (ORY), a secondary airport serving the French capital.
Delta's network growth in Southern California comes as the airline invests billions of dollars into its hub at the Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). In 2022, Delta celebrated the opening of a brand-new Sky Way headhouse, a state-of-the-art flagship Sky Club and modernized terminal facilities in L.A.
More infrastructure upgrades are in the works, with a new airside connector to the Tom Bradley International Terminal opening soon.
Delta is also increasing its transpacific service from L.A., with the recent addition of three weekly flights to Tahiti, and its first-ever service to New Zealand, which was just announced and launches on Oct. 28.
Meanwhile, in New York, Delta continues to defend its position as the city's No. 1 airline. Adding service to the German capital's new Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER) and Geneva gives flyers more nonstop options from the Northeast.
Just like in L.A., Delta is investing in major terminal improvements at its hub at Terminal 4 at John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK). This includes 11 new gates, two new Sky Clubs and a refreshed check-in area.
Other improvements in the works include redesigned roadways and terminal frontage that'll help streamline the dropoff and pick-up experience.
In addition to Berlin and Geneva flights, Delta is adding year-round service to London Gatwick Airport (LGW), beginning on April 10.
Plus, the carrier announced last week that it's adding a third daily flight from JFK to Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) on May 25. This additional frequency will operate daily through the summer, though the final service date of the extra flight hasn't been announced yet.
Though much of the focus is on increasing hub connectivity, Delta is also boosting one of its most unique transatlantic routes.
The 4,539-mile flight from Orlando to Amsterdam launched in 2018 and operated year-round until being suspended in March 2020 due to the pandemic. Delta brought it back late last year on a winter-seasonal basis, and now the carrier will load it into the schedule for another winter season beginning on Oct. 28, 2023.
The carrier will deploy the 282-seat Airbus A330-300 on the route, which features all four of Delta's signature cabins: Delta One, Premium Select, Comfort+ and economy.
For more about Delta's network, check out:
- Delta is making 2 exciting changes to its newest long-haul routes
- Every Delta Air Lines premium seat ranked from best to worst
- Best Delta credit cards of January 2023
- Delta adds new long-haul route to French Riviera, upgrades longest Tel Aviv flight
- Delta is pulling out of Nagoya, leaving Japanese city with no flights from North America
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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.
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Rewards Rate
| 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. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
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You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
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.