ATLANTA– Delta Air Lines (DL) is preparing to add seven international routes across its US network during the 2026-27 IATA winter season. The new and resumed services will launch between November 21, 2026, and March 27, 2027.
The expansion covers six major hubs: Atlanta (ATL), Austin (AUS), Detroit (DTW), Los Angeles (LAX), New York (JFK) and Seattle (SEA). Destinations include Vancouver (YVR), Tel Aviv (TLV), Liberia (LIR), Aruba (AUA), Tokyo (NRT), Paris (CDG) and Riyadh (RUH). Delta is headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia. Delta Air Lines
Delta Expands International Network With Seven Route Additions
Delta’s winter 2026-27 expansion includes a combination of short-haul international services and long-haul routes connecting the United States with Europe, Asia, the Middle East, Canada and the Caribbean.
The airline will introduce these services across six of its US hubs, with Atlanta receiving two new international connections. The remaining five hubs will each receive one additional international route.
Several of these services represent the return of previously operated routes rather than entirely new markets. Los Angeles-Vancouver, Atlanta-Tel Aviv, New York-Liberia and Seattle-Tokyo Narita have historical operating records in Delta’s network.
The seven additions are scheduled across three launch periods, beginning in November 2026 and continuing through the final day of the IATA winter schedule in March 2027.
Los Angeles to Vancouver Launches First
Delta’s first winter schedule addition will connect Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) with Vancouver International Airport (YVR) in British Columbia, Canada.
The airline plans to resume the route on November 21, 2026, with two daily flights in each direction. The planned schedule consists of two daily round-trip flights, using Airbus A319 aircraft.
Delta previously operated between Los Angeles and Vancouver through its Delta Connection regional network in 2007 and 2008. The airline restored the connection from 2015 to February 2018, with mainline aircraft also serving the market in 2017.
The November 2026 launch marks the route’s return after more than eight years. It will strengthen Delta’s international connectivity from Los Angeles, where the airline considers its operation an important part of its West Coast network, Simple Flying flagged.
Three More Routes Begin in December
Delta will introduce three additional international services on December 19, 2026. The routes will connect Atlanta with Tel Aviv, New York with Liberia in Costa Rica, and Detroit with Aruba.
The three services will use different aircraft types and operate at different frequencies, reflecting their respective market demands.
Atlanta to Tel Aviv Returns
Delta plans to resume nonstop flights between Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) and Ben Gurion Airport (TLV), serving Tel Aviv, Israel.
The service is scheduled to restart on December 19, 2026, with three weekly flights operated by the Airbus A350-900.
The Atlanta-Tel Aviv connection has a longer history in Delta’s network. The airline previously operated the route between 2006 and 2011 and restored it in 2023. It also resumed services in April 2026 before suspending operations amid developments in the Middle East.
Delta subsequently extended the suspension through December 18, 2026. The planned December 19 restart will therefore restore the connection after the latest operational pause. Delta News Hub+1
New York to Liberia Resumes After Nearly a Decade
Delta will also restore nonstop flights between John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) in New York and Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport (LIR) in Liberia, Costa Rica.
The seasonal service will begin on December 19, 2026, with one weekly flight operating every Saturday.
Delta plans to deploy its Airbus A321neo on the route. The service will provide New York passengers with direct access to Costa Rica’s Guanacaste region, a popular destination for international leisure travellers.
Delta last operated the JFK-Liberia route until January 2017. Its return will restore the direct connection after nearly ten years.
Current schedule filings show the seasonal operation extending through April 10, 2027. AeroRoutes+1
Detroit to Aruba Gets a New Nonstop Connection
The third December addition will connect Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW) with Queen Beatrix International Airport (AUA) in Oranjestad, Aruba.
Delta plans to introduce the route on December 19, 2026, with one weekly Saturday service.
The airline has filed the Boeing 737-900ER for the operation. Unlike the Los Angeles-Vancouver and New York-Liberia routes, Detroit-Aruba represents a new nonstop connection for Delta rather than the return of a previously operated service.
The route will give passengers travelling from Detroit direct access to Aruba without requiring a connection through another US hub.
Three More International Routes Launch in March 2027
Delta’s final three winter schedule additions are planned for March 27, 2027. All three will operate from US hubs to long-haul international destinations.
The timing is significant because March 27 will be the final day of the 2026-27 IATA winter schedule. The IATA summer schedule begins on March 28, 2027.
Seattle to Tokyo Narita
Delta will introduce daily nonstop flights between Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) and Tokyo Narita International Airport (NRT) in Japan.
The service is scheduled to begin on March 27, 2027, using the Airbus A330-900neo.
The new route will complement Delta’s existing daily Seattle-Tokyo Haneda (HND) service, giving passengers another nonstop option for travelling between the Pacific Northwest and the Japanese capital.
Narita will also provide additional opportunities for connecting passengers travelling beyond Tokyo to other Japanese destinations.
The expansion strengthens Seattle’s position as an important international gateway for Delta’s transpacific network. It also increases the airline’s capacity between the United States and Japan while adding another destination for its cargo operations. Delta News Hub+1
Austin to Paris Becomes Delta’s First Transatlantic Route From the City
Delta will also introduce daily nonstop flights between Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) in Texas and Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) in France.
The service will begin on March 27, 2027, and operate seasonally during the summer schedule using the Airbus A330-900neo.
The route represents Delta’s first-ever transatlantic service from Austin. It will provide passengers with a direct connection to Paris and onward access to European destinations through Delta’s partnership with Air France-KLM.
The daily service will offer Delta One, Delta Premium Select, Delta Comfort and Delta Main cabins.
The new connection will also improve international connectivity for travellers from Central Texas, reducing the need to connect through other US gateways when travelling to Paris. Airport+1
Atlanta to Riyadh Delayed Until March 2027
The seventh route will connect Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) with King Khalid International Airport (RUH) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Delta originally planned to launch the nonstop service on October 23, 2026. However, the airline postponed the launch following developments affecting the regional security situation.
On October 12, 2026, Delta confirmed that it would delay the route until March 2027. The airline said it was maintaining contact with government and aviation partners, including Saudia and Riyadh Air, while monitoring the situation.
Current schedule filings identify March 27, 2027, as the planned launch date. Delta intends to operate three weekly flights using its Airbus A350-900.
The Atlanta-Riyadh service will establish Delta’s first nonstop passenger connection to Saudi Arabia. It will also connect Riyadh with the airline’s extensive US domestic network through its Atlanta hub. Delta News Hub+2
Delta’s Seven Winter Routes Strengthen Six US Hubs
Delta’s 2026-27 winter expansion will add international flying from six US hubs, with Atlanta accounting for two of the seven routes.
The schedule includes short-haul connectivity between Los Angeles and Vancouver, seasonal Caribbean and Central American services, and long-haul operations to Europe, Asia and the Middle East.
The expansion also demonstrates Delta’s continued focus on strengthening its international gateways. Seattle will gain another Tokyo connection, Austin will receive its first Delta transatlantic route, and Atlanta will become the departure point for the airline’s planned first nonstop service to Saudi Arabia.
However, the launch dates and operating frequencies remain subject to schedule changes. The Atlanta-Riyadh route is particularly dependent on the regional security situation, while the other services are planned around seasonal travel demand.
Overall, these seven route additions will expand Delta’s international network before the 2027 summer schedule begins.
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