Delta found itself with a bunch of widebody aircraft having nowhere to go after suspending flights to China due to novel coronavirus COVID-19.
We’ve learned Delta is moving some of its bigger planes to US domestic routes and shifting newer or remodeled planes to international trips.
Stateside, Atlanta and Las Vegas see the most effect.
Edward Russell at The Points Guy writes that six Delta routes will enjoy Airbus A330 and Boeing 767 service:
- Atlanta (ATL) – Las Vegas (LAS): From March 9-April 30, up to four-times daily:
- A330-200
- A330-300
- 767-300ER
- 767-400ER
- Atlanta (ATL) – Phoenix (PHX): From March 11-April 9, up to three-times daily:
- A330-300
- 767-300ER
- 767-400ER
- Atlanta (ATL) – San Diego (SAN): From March 12-April 30, up to twice daily:
- A330-300
- 767-300ER
- Detroit (DTW) – Las Vegas (LAS): Daily from March 9-April 30:
- 767-300ER
- Detroit (DTW) – Phoenix (PHX): Daily from March 12-March 31:
- 767-300ER
- Minneapolis/St. Paul (MSP) – Las Vegas (LAS): From March 9-April 15, up to twice daily:
- A330-300
- 767-300ER
All of the destinations are warmer weather and/or spring-break locations, which seems appropriate given the time of year. I was a little surprised that LAX and Orlando weren’t included.
Depending on flight prices, availability, and your budget, this could be a fun use of the first class companion certificate for Delta Reserve Credit Card from American Express and Delta Reserve for Business Credit Card from American Express cardholders. (Read more about the companion certificate here.)
Delta One — Right?
Keep in mind that just because these cabins are equipped with Delta One seats doesn’t necessarily mean they include Delta One service.
Those sitting in first class will have to slum it with standard domestic food while enjoying their lie-flats. (#FirstWorldProblems)
Check Your Reservations
Do you have trips booked on any of these routes? See if your flights underwent an aircraft change. Maybe you went from an exit row on a 757-200 to something less desirable on a 767-300ER. Or perhaps you were moved to a better seat!
Plus, increased first class capacity on affected routes gives Medallions better chances at upgrades.
What About the A350s and 777s?
It appears the A350s and retrofitted 777 planes that flew to China will serve some European routes sooner than expected.
The Atlanta to Paris (CDG) and Minneapolis-St. Paul to Amsterdam lines initially weren’t getting Delta One Suites-equipped aircraft until March 28. Now those routes will get the service a few weeks sooner when the above changes take place.
Other routes will also see aircraft upgrades. For example, Delta #97 from Paris (CDG) to Detroit is usually served by an A330-300. That gets up gauged to an A350-900 next month.
More aircraft flying mean more people (i.e flight attendants, pilots, etc) working — so it’s nice to see not all has been lost.
— Chris
Featured image: A Delta Air Lines Boeing 767 is shown departing from Los Angeles International Airport, LAX.(©iStock.com/Angel Di Bilio)
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6 Comments
Chris,
Is it wrong of me to want these plane reallocations to continue into June, for our family trip? 🙂 We’re currently slated to fly on 767-300’s each way, DTW – CDG/CDG – DTW.
Which AMEX-DL cards now offer extra points on groceries?
Rick: the Delta Platinum Amex and Delta Gold Amex earn 2X bonus points at US supermarkets.
A couple of different options worth considering: the Blue Cash Preferred Card, which offers 6% back on US supermarket spend (up to $6k in purchases each year) and Amex Gold Card, which earns 4X Membership Rewards points at US supermarkets (up to $25,000 a year in purchases).
So, what happens on the A350? There are fewer Delta One business-class seats, which means Delta will have to pay big compensation. Especially for flights leaving Paris or Amsterdam, given the EU’s passenger compensation requirements.
Does Amex let cardowners product change from the biz version of a card to the personal version?
@Rick: I doubt it because your business credit profile and personal credit profile are two different things. Plus, product changes make you ineligible for a card’s welcome bonus offer. For example, if you have the Delta Platinum Business card but want to switch to the personal version — and enjoy the current 100,000 bonus point offer good through April 1 — you’re much better off applying the personal Platinum card, getting approved for it, and then canceling the business card once your annual fee hits. You’d have the companion certificate and they’ll take the annual fee off your statement.