ATLANTA- Delta Air Lines (DL) has made significant changes to its route network as reported in the latest Adrian Waltz schedule update.
The airline is dropping two notable routes while adding several seasonal ski and beach destinations.
Delta New Domestic Routes and Exits
Delta is discontinuing its New York LaGuardia (LGA) to Providence (PVD) service, which operated once daily using a CRJ-900 aircraft. This slot-covering route, added in 2022, reportedly underperformed expectations.
Additionally, the carrier is eliminating its Casper (CPR) to Salt Lake City (SLC) route, which was serviced by a CRJ-500 and had been experiencing poor performance.
On the expansion front, Delta is introducing multiple new routes operating one to two times per week.
These additions include Asheville (AVL) to Boston (BOS), Boston (BOS) to both Bozeman (BZN) and Pensacola (PNS), Bozeman (BZN) to New York JFK, New York JFK to Seattle (SEA), and Seattle (SEA) to Hailey (SUN).
These new routes appear to target seasonal leisure travelers, focusing on popular ski and beach destinations. The limited frequency and likely seasonal nature of these services suggest a strategic approach to capturing peak demand periods.
Salt Lake City (SLC), a key hub for Delta, sees mixed developments in this update. While losing the Casper connection, it may benefit from increased traffic through other new routes in the network.
Market Data
Enilria has shared the market data for the above-mentioned new and suspended routes.
Delta is ending its Casper (CPR) to Salt Lake City (SLC) route, which has struggled with performance. The route saw a slight increase in traffic from 11 to 13 passengers daily each way (PDEW) year-over-year but maintained a high average fare of $555 round-trip. Delta held an 88% market share on this route, operating one daily flight with a 50-seat CRJ-500.
The New York LaGuardia (LGA) to Providence (PVD) service is also being discontinued. This route experienced a decline in traffic from 13 to 10 PDEW, despite a slight increase in average fares to $630 round-trip. Delta operated this route exclusively, offering 6-7 weekly flights with a 76-seat CRJ-900.
Delta is introducing several new seasonal routes. These include Asheville (AVL) to Boston (BOS), where Delta will compete with Allegiant’s existing service on a market seeing 107 PDEW at a $390 average fare.
Boston (BOS) to Bozeman (BZN) is another new addition, entering a market with 88 PDEW and a high $1,012 average fare, competing with JetBlue (B6) and United (UA).
The carrier is also launching Boston (BOS) to Pensacola (PNS) service, entering an unserved market with 49 PDEW and a $787 average fare. New York JFK to Bozeman (BZN) is being added, complementing existing JetBlue service in a market with 30 PDEW and an $870 average fare.
Delta is increasing its presence on the competitive New York JFK to Seattle (SEA) route, which sees 975 PDEW and an $808 average fare. The airline currently holds a 39% market share, competing with Alaska Airlines and JetBlue.
Lastly, Delta is entering the Seattle (SEA) to Hailey (SUN) market, challenging Alaska Airlines’ dominance. This route sees 41 PDEW with a $565 average fare, with Alaska currently holding a 94% market share.
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