Summary
- Delta Air Lines will operate widebodies between Atlanta and San Diego for the first time since 2022.
- Between November and February, twin-aisles will operate on 10 of the airline’s Atlanta routes, some with only one flight.
- It plans up to nine daily widebody departures from Atlanta this winter.
Everyone knows Atlanta is the world’s busiest airport and
Delta Air Lines
busiest hub. This winter, it is the SkyTeam member’s third airport for domestic widebody flights, behind Los Angeles and New York JFK. Helping Atlanta’s position is the return of twin-aisle service to San Diego, which last had it in 2022.
The Boeing 767 to San Diego
According to Delta’s submission to OAG, the 1,892 nautical mile (3,044 km) route will see its widebodies—the Boeing 767-300ER—from November 10.
The 216-seat equipment will run daily until December 2, then return on December 19 in time for the all-important Christmastime peak demand. As of September 4, the plan is for the 767 to operate daily until March 8, 2025.
Photo: Bradley Caslin | Shutterstock
While the schedule on November 10, the first day, is a bit different, the following shows the timetable from November 11 until December 2, with all times local. Things will change from December 19.
- Atlanta to San Diego: DL447, 16:35-18:16 (4h 41m block)
- San Diego to Atlanta: DL762, 07:20-14:34 (4h 14m); it’s a shame the flight won’t be operated by the long-retired 767-200!
Delta’s winter widebodies from Atlanta
Northern airlines, including Delta, will switch to winter schedules on October 27 based on IATA slot seasons. Examining the carrier’s domestic twin-aisle plan from November to February indicates 18 routes, as detailed below. As you can see, major cities and hubs, likewise big winter leisure destinations, are vital.
Again, this analysis is based on November-February only, and data is as of September 4. Things may change.
- Los Angeles: up to triple daily A350-900/767-300ER/767-400ER (no widebodies December 3-December 18)
- Honolulu: daily A330-300
- Phoenix: daily A330-300 (no widebodies December 3-December 18)
- San Diego: daily 767-300ER from November 10 (no widebodies December 3-December 18)
- Kahului: daily 767-300ER (from November 21)
- San Francisco: daily 767-300ER (no widebodies December 3-December 18); ends January 5
- Las Vegas: daily A330-300; ends December 2
- Detroit: November 1 (767-300ER) and November 8 (A350-900); has multiple widebody flights in September/October
- New York JFK: November 8 only (A350-900); has multiple widebody flights in September/October
- Orlando: November 9 (767-300ER); has multiple widebody flights in September/October
Image: GCMap
Daily domestic widebody flights
Delta plans between two and nine daily twin-aisle take-offs from Atlanta depending on the exact November-February day. The maximum will occur on 13 occasions: November 8, 21-30, and December 1 and 2. As a snapshot of activity, consider November 8, when these departures are planned:
- 08:15: Phoenix (A330-300)
- 08:15: Las Vegas (A330-300)
- 08:20: San Francisco (767-300ER)
- 08:20: New York JFK (A350-900)
- 08:55: Los Angeles (A350-900)
- 10:15: Honolulu (A330-300)
- 15:35: Los Angeles (767-300ER)
- 17:30: Los Angeles (A350-900)
- 19:00: Detroit (A350-900)