A couple days ago, Delta Airlines announced plans to open several new routes from Los Angeles, and New York La Guardia. Included in the plans are routes from Los Angeles to San Francisco, Columbus, Hartford, and Raleigh-Durham. From La Guardia, they will institute service to Chicago's O Hare Airport, while simultaneously cutting service to Midway. The routes from Los Angeles, with the exception of San Francisco, are all being reinstated after they were cut during the summer of 2008, when oil was close to $140 per barrel. The new service from La Guardia is to be a business shuttle, aimed at high-yield travelers with multiple daily frequencies. Delta had the following to say…
"The addition of Chicago O'Hare to the Delta Shuttle from New York and our ongoing expansion at Los Angeles International Airport underscore Delta's commitment to providing our customers superior service between America's preferred business airports," said Glen Hauenstein, Delta's executive vice president – Network Planning and Revenue Management.
Chicago O'hare (ORD)- New York La Guardia (LGA)
The new hourly shuttle service on this route will begin June 10. Replacing existing flights to Chicago's other airport, Midway, the service will operate from the conveniently located Marine Air Terminal at LGA and Terminal 2 at ORD. Delta plans to market the service as part of it's continued plan to win over New York customers.
The plan is, to introduce ORD as a new Delta Shuttle station, with dedicated check in, and special kiosks to be installed at ORD. The kiosks will also feature the ability to purchase tickets for travel that day. Delta Shuttle is a brand within a brand, aimed at capturing business travelers for Delta. Customers at ORD and LGA will get complimentary tea, coffee, and newspapers at the gate.
Delta Shuttle operates 76 seat Embraer ERJ 175s with 12 first class seats, and 64 business class seats. Service levels are higher than on normal Delta flights. Neither cabin has any middle seats, and in economy class, complimentary alcohol and bagels in the morning are provided.
After adding Chicago O'hare, Delta is the only airline to serve Washington Reagan, Boston Logan, and Chicago O'hare from LGA.
Los Angeles
The service from Los Angeles, meanwhile will be on normal Delta aircraft; a mix of Airbus A320, Boeing 737-800, and Bombardier CRJ 900, all with First Class. The new flights to San Francisco and Columbus will operate daily, while flights to Hartford and Raleigh Durham will occur 6 times a week.
"Los Angeles' strategic position in the Delta network continues to gain importance as we expand opportunities for customers to connect to our trans-Pacific services from this growing, thriving gateway," Hauenstein said. "We are pleased not only to continue to expand service for Delta customers via L.A. but also to offer the convenience of L.A. connections to customers flying our alliance partners."
Delta Airlines' new attempt is just one in a line of many. They have tried to increase Los Angeles flights before, but always had to pull back. But now, with the feed added from the Northwest merger, Delta could do it… Columbus, and Hartford are two markets that do make sense, as Delta is very strong. And San Francisco should help add feed. But Raleigh-Durham is kind of risky, because Delta will have to compete with American for those travelers, and American has a sizable frequent flyer base in Raleigh.
The new flights will raise Delta's total departures to 81 on peak days. Delta is investing a lot of money in LAX, including renovating and expanding its Sky Club to increase capacity for passengers on Delta's flights, and flights by SkyTeam partners AeroMexico, Air France, China Southern, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, Korean Air and West Coast partner Alaska Airlines.
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