Summary

  • Delta Air Lines is enjoying increased international demand, particularly for premium travel experiences.
  • The airline is expanding its transatlantic footprint with new flights and added capacity.
  • Delta is focusing on providing premium experiences, upgrading aircraft to newer and more fuel-efficient models.

Atlanta-based Delta Air Lines is reportedly operating its largest-ever schedule across the Atlantic Ocean this year thanks to increased demand. It comes as the carrier experienced robust spring travel, which it believes will cause its second-quarter revenue to potentially break records.

While the airline has seen growth domestically, its international demand has caught the eye of executives. It comes as the carrier is also gearing up for increased demand for the Summer Olympics, which begin next month.

“Demand is quite healthy”

According to Reuters, Delta’s senior executives confirmed on Saturday that the airline is experiencing healthy travel demand on international routes in particular. The market is also reportedly strong, especially for premium travel experiences, which, of course, benefits the carrier even further.

Delta Air Lines Airbus A350

Photo: Kevin Hackert | Shutterstock

Ed Bastian, Delta’s CEO, said the airline is in the right place to take advantage of the uptick in demand.

“Summer’s progressing strongly and demand is quite healthy. Demand is growing faster internationally than it is domestically, and Delta is very well positioned to take advantage of that with its partners.”

Expanding across the pond

The carrier has expanded its transatlantic footprint in the past few weeks with new flights and added capacity. While some of the increases have already begun, others will commence later this summer and throughout the remainder of the year. Last month, Delta boosted the number of seats on flights between New York and Shannon, Ireland. The route, which had typically been operated by the Boeing 757-200 pre-pandemic, was upgraded to the 767-300ER. The equipment change adds around 3,600 more seats on the route this summer.

Delta Air Lines Boeing 767-300ER on final approach shutterstock_2360206655

Photo: Wirestock Creators | Shutterstock

That development came as the SkyTeam Alliance airline also expanded its operation between Cincinnati and Paris. In response to the Olympics demand, Delta is flying the route daily and will continue through August. Throughout the summer, the 767-400ER will be exclusively deployed on the route, although the Airbus A330-300 has operated it during other times of the year.

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Delta Air Lines Adds More Flights Between Cincinnati & Paris Ahead Of The Olympics

The increase more than doubles the amount of flights the carrier will operate on the route.

Delta also announced in May that it would return nonstop service between Tampa and Amsterdam this fall, complementing its existing seasonal service between Orlando and Amsterdam. The route was last offered in 2019, but never returned due to the pandemic.

“We have seen continued strength through the spring to early summer … our international business is quite strong,” Delta’s President Glen Hauenstein explained on Saturday, according to Reuters.

More premium offers

Travel, among many, has undoubtedly been a top priority after the pandemic. Some people are also willing to spend more for premium experiences, especially during long-haul flights. Delta recently announced that it would upgrade its service between New York and Ghana, West Africa, from the 767-300ER to the A330-900neo this October. The aircraft is not only newer and more fuel-efficient, but also has more premium seats.

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Delta Air Lines To Relaunch Airbus A330 Service From New York To Nigeria & Focuses On Premium Upgrades

The airline is the largest operator between the US and Africa with more than 30 weekly flights.

In September, the carrier will introduce a newly reconfigured A350-900 on flights between Atlanta and Johannesburg, and Cape Town. The aircraft will feature a total of 40 Delta One suites – eight more than the number of suites on its standard legacy A350 cabin configuration.

“We’re expanding our options for customers to experience the premium service and elevated hospitality they expect from Delta,” said Joe Esposito, the carrier’s Senior Vice President of Network Planning.

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