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- Delta Air Lines is challenging the JetBlue-American Northeast Alliance with seven new routes out of Boston.
- New service to Tel Aviv, Athens, Baltimore, Denver, and San Diego is scheduled to start in summer 2022.
- Flights to Charlotte and Dallas/Fort Worth will launch on October 10, 2021.
- See more stories on Insider's business page.
Delta Air Lines announced seven new routes out of Boston Logan International Airport on Sunday, going head-to-head with the strong JetBlue-American Northeast Alliance.
Delta is targeting Boston in its latest network expansion, revealing two new international routes, Tel Aviv and Athens, and five new domestic routes, Baltimore; Denver; San Diego; Charlotte, North Carolina; and Dallas, Texas, out of its transatlantic hub. According to the airline, the added service will boost its capacity out of Boston by more than 20% compared to pre-pandemic operations.
Flights to Charlotte and Dallas/Fort Worth, which are both major hubs for American Airlines, will begin on October 10, 2021, offering "greater connectivity to major markets," according to the carrier. Meanwhile, service to Tel Aviv, Israel; Athens; Baltimore; Denver; and San Diego will begin in summer 2022. The international routes will complement the carrier's current and returning flights to Amsterdam, Edinburgh, Dublin, Lisbon, London, Paris, and Rome.
"We've strengthened our Boston hub as demand has accelerated, adding about 3,800 more seats a day by next summer than our last peak in 2019. Boston is a fast-growing market with a booming economy, and we're committed to offering customers significant choice and better convenience when making their travel plans, in addition to Delta's superior products and experience," said Delta Senior Vice President of Network Planning Joe Esposito.
The carrier is taking on the powerful JetBlue-American partnership in Boston, with all five domestic routes directly competing with JetBlue or American. Meanwhile, both American and Delta currently offer nonstop service to Tel Aviv and Athens from New York's JFK International Airport, however, Delta is one-upping the Northeast Alliance with additional service from Boston. American and JetBlue announced the Northeast Alliance in July 2020, merging both frequent flyer programs and adding around 60 new routes in and out of New York City and Boston.
However, to ensure fair competition among airlines in the Northeast, the DOJ has sued both American and JetBlue claiming the alliance violated antitrust laws. American says the DOJ's complaint is "without merit" and that it will "defend itself vigorously" against the lawsuit. While the partnership was approved by the DOT, the agency said it will defer the resolution to the DOJ.
In addition to new routes, Delta also announced the debut of its new modernized Airbus A321neo aircraft, set to begin operations in spring 2022. The aircraft has 12% better fuel efficiency than its predecessor, the A321ceo, and is the company's most fuel-efficient large-gauge narrowbody jet.
The aircraft will be fitted with Delta's new state-of-the-art domestic first class, which features more privacy, sturdier tray tables, and spacious overhead bins. The A321neo will launch on transcontinental routes out of Boston.
Here's a closer look at Delta's five new Boston routes.
Between Boston and Tel Aviv
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Delta will fly thrice-weekly to Tel Aviv on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays beginning May 26, 2022, using an Airbus A330-900 aircraft featuring Delta One Suites. The outbound will depart at 4:20 p.m. and arrive at 9:35 a.m. the following day, while the return will take off at 11:50 a.m. and land at 4:45 p.m. the same day. Delta will not face direct competition out of Boston on the route.
Between Boston and Athens
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Delta will fly thrice-weekly to Athens on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays beginning May 27, 2022, using an Airbus A330-300 aircraft featuring the Delta One cabin. The outbound will depart at 6:55 p.m. and arrive at 12:30 p.m. the following day, while the return will take off at 2:45 p.m. and land at 7:15 p.m. the same day. Delta will not face direct competition out of Boston on the route.
Between Boston and Baltimore
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Delta will fly five times daily to Baltimore beginning July 11, 2022, using the Embraer 175 aircraft. Customers can choose from two morning flights, two afternoon flights, and one evening flight in both directions. Delta will compete with JetBlue on the route, which also operates five daily flights.
Between Boston and Denver
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Delta will fly once daily to Denver beginning July 11, 2022, using the Boeing 737-900 aircraft. The outbound departs at 8:00 a.m. and arrives at 10:40 a.m., while the return takes off at 11:50 a.m. and lands at 6:00 p.m. Delta will face competition from JetBlue and United on the route.
Between Boston and San Diego
Delta will fly once daily to San Diego beginning July 11, 2022, using the Boeing 737-800 aircraft. The outbound departs at 5:00 p.m. and arrives at 8:15 p.m., while the return takes off at 9:25 p.m. and lands at 6:00 a.m. the next morning. Delta will compete with JetBlue's twice-daily and Alaska's once-daily flights.
Between Boston and Charlotte
James Willamor
Delta is starting daily service to Charlotte beginning October 10, 2021. The flight will be operated by Republic Airways as Delta Connection using the Embarer 175 aircraft. Delta will compete with JetBlue and American on the route.
Between Boston and Dallas/Fort Worth
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Delta is starting daily service to Dallas/Fort Worth beginning October 10, 2021. The airline will run the route using the Airbus A220-100 jet and will face competition from JetBlue and American.
source https://www.businessinsider.com/delta-challenges-northeast-alliance-with-seven-new-routes-boston-2021-10