Houston, it seems there’s a complication.
Delta Air Lines has officially cut nonstop flights from three major U.S. cities, following a suspension that began in June due to surging fuel prices and rising operational costs. Initially intended as a temporary cessation, the airline confirmed to The Points Guy this Monday that these routes are now permanently removed as part of their standard network strategy.
The following nonstop flights have been discontinued, affecting travelers:
“We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and will contact affected customers directly to discuss alternative travel options,” a spokesperson told The Points Guy.
Just note, that the Atlanta-based airline still has nonstop flights to Houston, Memphis and St. Louis from nearby airport, LaGuardia (LGA). If you’re a flier impacted by the latest switch, reach out to Delta customer service and they will be able to rebook flights through LaGuardia or arrange an alternative travel plan if they haven’t already done so.
For New Yorkers scheduled to fly from JFK, there are three simple steps you can take. First, check your itinerary in the Fly Delta app or you can log into your account online as automatic updates or notifications will be found there. Next, you can check out what your rebooking options are. For those whose flights were canceled to JFK, a reroute out of LGA or a full refund will likely be available.
Lastly, it’s best to check what your ground transportation, parking or connections are like since LGA differs from JFK depending on where you are starting.
The Post reached out to Delta but has not yet heard back.
But, it’s not all grey skies, there’s an upside for those traveling to Florida, as Delta has introduced a new nonstop flight from one of its fastest-growing cities on the East Coast. Starting November 21, the carrier will offer nonstop trips from Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU) in North Carolina to Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW) near Fort Myers.
According to The Points Guy, the airline will use a Bombardier CRJ-900 regional jet on the new route, giving Delta its newest destination from RDU just days ahead of the Thanksgiving airport frenzy.
Recently, Delta rolled out an “industry-standard” change by making premium seating more affordable. The airline rolled out its “Basic fares” for first class and business class — an economy seat with a few extra perks. These newer benefits are typically given to only Delta First, Delta Premium Select and Delta One flyers.
The new switch could save upwards of $200 compared to a regular first-class ticket. Similar to Delta Main and Delta Comfort, the Basic tier now gives customers access to premium extras like Zone 1 boarding,
180-degree lie-flat seats with privacy suites onboard select aircraft to name just a few.
“This expansion gives customers more ways to choose the Delta experience that best fits their trip, and a new way to access our premium tier products,” said Joe Esposito, executive vice president and chief commercial officer, in a press release.