Delta Air Lines has just announced some significant transatlantic expansion for the summer of 2023. These are only the latest long haul additions for Delta, as the Atlanta-based airline recently announced new flights from Atlanta to Cape Town, Atlanta to Tel Aviv, Los Angeles to Tahiti, New York to Berlin, and New York to Stockholm.
New Delta Europe service starting in 2023
Delta is adding a variety of new routes in the summer of 2023, most of which have been operated at some point in the past. However, in some cases we’re seeing the return of routes for the first time in 20+ years. Let’s go over what we can expect, in no particular order.
Delta adds New York to Geneva route
As of April 10, 2023, Delta will add a daily year-round flight between New York (JFK) and Geneva (GVA). The flight will be operated by a Boeing 767-400.
This is the first time since 1993 that Delta will be operating this route, and the airline will go head-to-head against Star Alliance airline SWISS in this market. It’s nice to see a non-Star Alliance airline operating transatlantic flights out of Geneva once again.
Delta adds New York to London Gatwick route
As of April 10, 2023, Delta will add a daily seasonal flight between New York (JFK) and London Gatwick (LGW). The flight will be operated by a Boeing 767-300. This is the first time since 2012 that Delta will be operating to Gatwick Airport.
This is an interesting one, because Delta’s joint venture partner Virgin Atlantic has completely pulled out of Gatwick. So this seems like a way for Delta to expand in London (since Heathrow is heavily slot controlled), and also compete against JetBlue’s New York to London Gatwick service. Lastly, British Airways has a pretty significant transatlantic presence out of Gatwick Airport. Still, a single seasonal route to the airport seems… not that major?
Delta adds Los Angeles to London Heathrow route
As of March 25, 2023, Delta will add a daily year-round flight between Los Angeles (LAX) and London Heathrow (LHR). The flight will be operated by an Airbus A330-900neo. This is the first time since 2015 that Delta will be operating this route, and it will be complemented by joint venture partner Virgin Atlantic’s frequencies in the market.
Of course this is a highly competitive market, as it’s also served by airlines like American, British Airways, and United. This will mark Delta’s transatlantic return to Los Angeles for the first time since the start of the pandemic.
Delta adds Los Angeles to Paris route
As of May 8, 2023, Delta will add a daily year-round flight between Los Angeles (LAX) and Paris (CDG). The flight will be operated by an Airbus A330-900neo. This is the first time since 2020 that Delta will be operating this route, and it will be complemented by joint venture partner Air France’s frequencies in the market.
This is a surprisingly uncompetitive market otherwise, as only Air Tahiti Nui otherwise has service between the two airports (French Bee also flies to Paris Orly).
Delta adds Atlanta to Dusseldorf route
As of May 9, 2023, Delta will add a 3x weekly year-round flight between Atlanta (ATL) and Dusseldorf (DUS). The flight will be operated by a Boeing 767-300. This is the first time since 2020 that Delta will be operating this route. This is the only nonstop route between the United States and Dusseldorf.
Delta adds Atlanta to Edinburgh route
As of March 26, 2023, Delta will add a 5x weekly seasonal flight between Atlanta (ATL) and Edinburgh (EDI). The flight will be operated by a Boeing 767-300. This is the first time since 2007 that Delta will be operating this route. Delta otherwise flies to Edinburgh year-round out of New York and seasonally out of Boston.
Delta adds Atlanta to Stuttgart route
As of May 25, 2023, Delta will add a 3x weekly year-round flight between Atlanta (ATL) and Stuttgart (STR). The flight will be operated by a Boeing 767-300. This is the first time since 2020 that Delta will be operating this route. Obviously this is a business and cargo route primarily about the automotive industry.
Bottom line
Delta Air Lines has announced a transatlantic expansion for the summer of 2023. We’re largely just seeing the resumption of some pre-pandemic routes, including the return of transatlantic flights out of Los Angeles. I’m also happy to see two secondary airports in Germany see the return of transatlantic links.
Furthermore, there are also some unique new routes that we haven’t seen in many years (or at all), like New York to Geneva, New York to London Gatwick, and Atlanta to Edinburgh.
What do you make of this Delta route announcement? Any routes particularly interest you?
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