As economies reopen and border restrictions lifted, Delta will add almost 1,000 flights system-wide in July, boosting service and nonstop connectivity to popular summer destinations and major business markets.
This was disclosed to africanbusinesstravel.com.ng in Lagos, Nigeria by Delta Aii’s media agent in Nigeria, Topcom.
According to a press statement made available to out Correspondent by Topcom, Customers traveling or considering travel this summer can feel confident in a safe experience throughout the journey, from check-in to baggage claim.
It said that Delta has implemented several measures to encourage extra space and provide peace of mind at the airport, as well as committed to capping cabin seating at 60 percent in Main Cabin and 50 percent in First Class and blocking middle seats through September 30, 2020.
Pending a lift on border restrictions, Delta will resume service to customer favourite summer destinations – four-times weekly service from New York-JFK to Lisbon and daily service from JFK to Athens. The airline is also expanding its focus on hub-to-hub flying to coastal markets by adding four-times weekly service from Boston to Amsterdam and daily service from Seattle to Amsterdam. “We will also restart Detroit to Paris-Charles De Gaulle service,” the statement added.
The airline also hinted that it is awaiting government approvals to increase its connectivity within Africa; especially Lagos and Accra.
“Connectivity within Africa will also expand, pending government approval, with the resumption of service from New York-JFK to Accra, as well as service from Atlanta to Lagos,” it stated
“Confidence in a safe travel experience is key to a successful recovery,” said Senior Vice President – Network Planning,Joe Esposito,
“While we’re rebuilding our network at home and abroad, it’s even more critical that we provide the highest industry standard of safety, space and clean so when our customers are ready to travel, we’re ready for them”, he added.
Customers also have the flexibility to change their plans without a fee for a year, for new flights purchased through June 30.
Even with the modest growth in demand, Delta’s July schedule will be approximately 70 percent smaller than the same time last year, including reductions of about 65 percent for U.S. domestic travel and nearly 75 percent for international.
As the airline looks ahead to the remainder of the summer travel season, it promised to stay focused on adding seat capacity, gradually rebuilding its footprint in local markets, and resuming high-demand service suspended due to travel restrictions.
Delta, the statement affirmed, will continue to add more nonstop connectivity between top markets, with a focus on major hubs like Atlanta, Detroit, Minneapolis, and Salt Lake City.
For customers looking to vacation closer to home this summer, Delta is adding capacity to popular leisure markets like Florida and throughout the West Coast, as well as more transcontinental flying for business travelers.
The airline said, “While seating is capped to ensure more space between customers this summer, we will look for opportunities to up-size to a larger aircraft type or add more flying on routes with increasing customer demand.
“With non-essential travel guidelines between the U.S. and Canada extended into July, Delta will continue to operate a limited schedule for those with critical travel needs. Minneapolis, Detroit and New York-JFK serve as Delta’s main gateways to destinations like Montreal, Toronto, Calgary and Winnipeg. Delta will also continue service to Vancouver from Seattle.”
Delta has also temporarily consolidated operations in some markets served by multiple airports, as well as suspended flying to select U.S. cities while customer traffic is significantly reduced.
