NEWS: Delta Air Lines Is Cutting Flights This Summer

Amid rising jet fuel prices, Delta Air Lines is cutting flights to adjust for a shifting economic climate, according to USA Today.

The Atlanta-based airline says it based its decision on several operational factors, and while it didn’t specify fuel, many airlines have been working to boost revenue and trim expenses amid surging fuel prices since the start of the war in Iran.

In a statement to USA Today, a spokesperson for the airline said, “Delta routinely adjusts its network as part of its normal planning process. As part of our summer planning, we’ve made select adjustments across a small number of routes. Delta evaluates a range of factors when making these decisions and continues to offer extensive service for customers. We will directly contact any impacted customers with alternate options.”

The airline has suspended flights and paused upcoming service on select routes. You can see the planned changes below:

• Boston Logan International Airport (BOS) and Lynden Pindling International Airport in Nassau, Bahamas (NAS): Saturday-only service will operate through July 11. This route will not operate from July 18 through Sept. 5. Service is scheduled to resume in December.
• Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW) and Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport (ECP): Weekend service shifting to Summer 2027.
• Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW) and Sacramento International Airport (SMF): This route will be paused beginning June 1 and will return in March 2027.
• John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York (JFK) and George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston (IAH): This route will be paused beginning June 7 and will resume Sept. 8.
• John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York (JFK) and Memphis International Airport (MEM): This route will be paused beginning June 7 and will resume Sept. 8.
• John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York (JFK) and St. Louis Lambert International Airport (STL): This route will be paused beginning June 7 and will resume Sept. 8.
• Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU) and Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas (LAS): This route will be paused beginning June 2 and will resume Sept. 8.

In addition to cutting flights, airlines are also increasing fees to make up for increased jet fuel costs. Five major U.S. airlines have recently announced price hikes on baggage fees, in particular.

Delta Air Lines is charging most passengers even more to check their bags as of April 7th, with the first checked bag starting at $45, and the second costing $55. These changes apply only to tickets purchased on or after April 8th on domestic and select short-haul international routes. Checked bag prices on long-haul international routes will not change.

After only recently starting to charge for the first checked bag, Southwest Airlines also announced it will increase checked bag fees. The changes apply to reservations made or changed voluntarily after April 9th. The carrier will now charge $45 instead of $35 for the first checked bag, with the second checked bag costing $55.

United Airlines will now charge $50 for the first checked bag, or $45 for passengers who prepay. JetBlue is charging $39 for the first checked bag during off-peak travel times, or $49 during peak times like the summer and major holidays.

As of April 9th, American Airlines has also increased its checked bag fees by $10. Prepaid checked bags will be $45 for the first and $55 for the second. A third checked bag will cost $200, which is a $50 increase over the normal price.

Jet fuel costs have more than doubled in the almost seven weeks since the U.S. and Israel started a war with Iran. Fuel is the second biggest expense for airlines after labor, typically, which is why these baggage increases have been implemented across many airlines.

If you’ve got an upcoming flight on these — or any other — airlines, make sure you double-check the price of checking your bags to see if the costs have increased. Many of these price hikes do not apply to those in select loyalty groups for these airlines, so it’s possible that even if you do have a flight on one, your costs will not increase.

We’ll be on the lookout for more airline updates you need to know about airline travel right now. In the meantime, stay tuned to the Disney Food Blog for the latest travel news and more!

Are you flying anywhere this summer? Let us know in the comments below!

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