New York City is getting three new non-stop routes thanks to Delta Air Lines’ latest schedule adjustment.
Delta, operates a hub in both LaGuardia Airport (LGA) and John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), will add service to three neighborhood markets as of January 9, 2023, as first seen in Cirium’s schedule and later confirmed by the carrier.
Specifically, the company will add:
- LGA – Greater Binghamton Airport (BGM)
- LGA – University Park Airport (SCE)
- JFK – Ithaca Tompkins International Airport (ITH)
All three routes will be flown up to twice per day for the remainder of the schedule (with some weekends operating only once per day). Delta Connection affiliate Endeavor Air will operate each route using CRJ-900 76-seat aircraft.
For Delta, the new routes are essentially a zero-sum game. That’s because the airline will cut its current service to all three of the aforementioned regional markets from its hub at Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW) as of January 9, 2023.
It is worth mentioning that the New York route will be operated a maximum of twice daily, while flights to Detroit fly only once a day on smaller planes.
This change in regional connectivity could be good news for (the few) New Yorkers looking to fly to Binghamton, Ithaca or State College, and it also helps Delta increase the range of connectivity options available to visitors coming in. one of these cities from others has direct service to New York City.
Of course, it will deal a blow to those trying to connect from these three markets to the far west of the country. Now, they will need to fly through these cities to connect to New York if they plan to fly with Delta.
In a statement, Delta said that “we continue to monitor and adjust our schedules based on demand and to best meet our customers’ needs.”
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For Delta, these routes represent the latest push in regional connectivity from New York. Earlier this year, the airline added shortest flight from LaGuardia – to Hartford – only 101 miles away. Last month, the airline revealed a new service four times daily between LaGuardia and Dulles International Airport (IAD) near Washington, DC
While Delta can certainly market these new flights to locals and some connecting routes, many aviation observers consider these short routes to be “squat seats”.
To operate at capacity-constrained LaGuardia and JFK Airports, airlines need to know right to take off and land from the Federal Aviation Administration. These permissions, known as positions, are often used-gain-or-lose, which means that if Delta can’t fill its entire schedule of locations, it risks losing valuable positions. into the hands of one of its competitors.
To avoid that, some in the industry believe that these short-haul routes in the area are intended for “booking” purposes, filling schedules with lower-cost regional activities without having to give up a high-traffic position. value to competitors.
Earlier during the pandemic, airlines get relinquish position that allows them to cut their flight without the risk of losing these valuable assets. But, these temporary waivers are now history.
With all regional connections ramped up from New York, Delta appears to be actively monitoring seat usage to ensure that it maintains its dominant position as New York’s largest airline. York.
Of course, it’s possible Delta is slowly changing its New York strategy with the addition of all flights in this area. While the New York City market is primarily focused on origin and destination (O&D) traffic, perhaps the airline sees value in connecting passengers across the region.
That’s something United does well in nearby Newark, where they operate a hub with a variety of ongoing services for locals, as well as a comprehensive regional network that provides connections for those who want to fly. to and from places like Albany and Scranton.
That said, many of these new Delta routes aren’t necessarily driven by demand. At last, drive to many of these cities may only take a few hours. After calculating the security time, walking to your gate and possible air traffic control delays, for some people simply driving from New York to Binghamton, Ithaca or State College may be quicker. compared to flying.
Since Delta seems to be doing whatever it takes to keep its spot, perhaps the biggest losers are locals who enjoy increased competition in the market (and thus potentially low fares). than). If these slots were reallocated to a competing airline instead, chances are Binghamton, Ithaca and State College wouldn’t be the first three destinations to launch on other airlines.
Just ask United, the airline that officially withdraw from JFK again on October 29, due to lack of space.
