Delta Strengthens Transcon Service With JFK Expansion

Delta Air Lines today announced a significant service expansion at New York JFK International Airport that will add eight new destinations and several increased frequencies in business markets. The carrier said the service expansion, along with a new $300 million facilities improvement program, highlights its long-term commitment to the New York market.

The carrier will add enhanced services in the coming months, including new nonstop services to Denver and San Diego, as well as other leisure destinations and increased frequencies to Cincinnati, Detroit, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Raleigh-Durham, San Francisco and St. Louis.

The transcontinental flights in particular position Delta to better compete with low-cost carriers. JetBlue operates a hub at JFK with multiple transcontinental services, while America West and ATA airlines recently inaugurated nonstop flights from the New York area to the West Coast.

"The transcon market is extremely important for us as a carrier catering to business travelers," said Lee Macenczak, Delta senior vice president of sales and distribution. "The transcon markets in general have been lucrative for lots of carriers for a number of years. I am not surprised other carriers now are getting in."

Macenczak noted that Delta's New York-area growth generally will occur at JFK, while partner Continental Airlines will continue focusing on Newark. "We can leverage that back and forth," he said.