Category Archives: Delta Connection

Delta adds new flights from Raleigh/Durham

Delta Air Lines is giving its Raleigh-Durham customers even more options with new daily nonstop service to Pittsburgh and weekend service to New Orleans beginning June 8, 2019.

Beginning June 8, Delta will offer the following daily schedule between Raleigh-Durham and Pittsburgh:

Raleigh-Durham International Airport – Pittsburgh
Departs	Arrives
RDU at 8:10 a.m.	PIT at 9:32 a.m.

PIT at 8:38 a.m.	RDU at 10 a.m.

Beginning June 8, Delta will offer the following schedule** between Raleigh-Durham and New Orleans:

Raleigh-Durham International Airport – New Orleans
Departs	Arrives
RDU at 9 a.m.	MSY at 9:53 a.m.

MSY at 10:30 a.m.	RDU at 1:20 p.m.

** Saturday and Sunday only service

The service will be on 76-seat Bombardier CRJ900 regional jets (above) operated by Delta Connection carrier Endeavor Air in an all aisle-and-window seating configuration with room for 12 customers in First Class, 20 in Delta Comfort+ and 44 in the main cabin. Every seat has access to Wi-Fi and streaming in-flight entertainment via Delta Studio.

RDU is one of Delta’s largest non-hub airports, with more than 80 flights per day to 29 destinations worldwide. Delta is the largest airline in Raleigh-Durham, and has more than doubled service since 2010, adding 19 additional destinations and more than 25,000 weekly seats.

Delta began service in 2017 to Nashville, Austin, Seattle/Tacoma, and begins Chicago O’Hare service on April 1, further enhancing offerings to the business traveler. Delta also connects Raleigh-Durham customers to Europe and beyond through its partner hub with daily nonstop service to Paris-Charles de Gaulle.

Additionally, RDU customers can connect to the world via Delta’s global network through frequent, daily service to its hubs and key markets in Atlanta, Boston, Cincinnati, Detroit, Minneapolis/St. Paul, Salt Lake City, New York –JFK and LaGuardia, and Los Angeles. In November, Delta announced it would in-source 100 full time jobs at RDU to support its high level of service.

Endeavor Air is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Delta Air Lines. Flying as Delta Connection, it operates 154 regional jets on 800 daily flights to more than 140 cities in the United States, Canada, and the Bahamas. Endeavor is headquartered in Minneapolis, Minn., with hub operations located in Atlanta, Ga., Detroit, Mich., Minneapolis, Minn., and New York, N.Y.

Top Copyright Photo: Delta Connection-Endeavor Air Bombardier CRJ900 (CL-600-2D24) N319PQ (msn 15319) FLL (Bruce Drum). Image: 104729.

Delta Connection-Endeavor Air aircraft slide show:

Route Map:

Delta to add Atlanta – Hilton Head Island service

Delta Air Lines is again adding Delta Connection service connecting the Atlanta hub with Hilton Head Island, SC.

The route will be operated daily by Republic Airline (Republic Airways) with Embraer 170 aircraft starting on May 23, 2019 according to Airline Route.

Top Copyright Photo: Delta Connection-Republic Airline (2nd) Embraer ERJ 100SE N869RW (msn 17000133) DCA (Jay Selman). Image: 403806.

Delta to fly New York LaGuardia – Key West nonstop flights

Delta Air Lines will add weekly Delta Connection service (operated by Republic Airline) between New York (LaGuardia) and Key West starting on March 9, 2019.

According to Airline Route the seasonal route will be operated with Embraer 170/175 aircraft.

Republic Airline, based in Indianapolis, Indiana, operates a fleet of nearly 190 Embraer 170/175 aircraft and offers scheduled passenger service with approximately 950 daily flights to 100 cities in 40 U.S. states, Canada, the Caribbean and Central America. The airline provides fixed-fee flights operated under its major airline partner brands of American Eagle, Delta Connection and United Express.

On November 16, 2018 Delta confirmed the new route with this announcement:

Delta will launch new seasonal Saturday service between New York’s LaGuardia Airport and Key West, boosting the carrier’s seasonal leisure offerings to destinations in Florida and the Caribbean.

The seasonal flights will be operated by Delta Connection carrier Republic Airline from March 9, 2019, through August 31, 2019, on Embraer E-170 aircraft with 9 seats in First Class, 12 in Delta Comfort+ and 48 in the Main Cabin.

The flights will operate on the following schedule and are now available for sale:

Departs	Arrives
LGA at 9:00 a.m.	EYW at 12:43 p.m.
EYW at 1:13 p.m.	LGA at 4:24 p.m.

The Key West flight also joins new winter service to the Caribbean from New York-JFK to Kingston, Port-Au-Prince and Antigua, along with a second daily flight to Nassau. Saturday service between JFK and St. Maarten will increase to a daily frequency next month.

Delta also flies daily between Key West and Atlanta year-round.

Top Copyright Photo (all others by Republic): Delta Connection-Republic Airline (2nd) Embraer ERJ 170-200LR (ERJ 175) N201JQ (msn 17000235) DCA (Jay Selman). Image: 403808.

Route Map:

Delta to add Detroit – La Crosse, WI service

Delta Air Lines will add Delta Connection service between the Detroit hub and La Crosse, WI starting on March 2, 2019.

The new spoke route will be operated daily with Bombardier CRJ200 aircraft operated by SkyWest Airlines according to Airline Route.

Top Copyright Photo (all others by SkyWest): Delta Connection-SkyWest Airlines Bombardier CRJ200 (CL-600-2B19) N454SW (msn 7749) SLC (Tony Storck). Image: 933365.

Delta Connection-SkyWest aircraft slide show:

Delta to operate the seasonal Boston – Sarasota/Bradenton route again

Delta Air Lines is planning to operate the seasonal Boston – Sarasota/Bradenton route again in March and April.

The restored route will operate from March 2 to April 27, 2019 according to Airline Route.

SkyWest Airlines will operate Embraer 175s on Saturdays on the route.

Top Copyright Photo (all others by SkyWest): Delta Connection-SkyWest Airlines Embraer ERJ 170-200LR (ERJ 175) N241SY (msn 17000585) LAX (Michael B. Ing). Image: 942782.

Delta Connection-SkyWest aircraft slide show:

Delta to add Raleigh/Durham – Chicago O’Hare service

Delta Air Lines will add Delta Connection service operated by SkyWest Airlines between Raleigh/Durham and Chicago (O’Hare) next year. According to Airline Route, SkyWest will operate Embraer 175 on the new route commencing on April 2, 2019.

In other news, Delta is also adding New York (JFK) – Antigua flights starting December 22, 2018 for the winter season.

Copyright Photo: Delta Connection-SkyWest Airlines Embraer ERJ 170-200LR (ERJ 175) N254SY (msn 17000621) LAX (Michael B. Ing). Image: 942790.

Delta Connection-SkyWest aircraft slide show:

Delta and Bombardier execute purchase agreement for 20 CRJ900 replacement aircraft

Delta has entered into an agreement with Bombardier to purchase 20 CRJ900 aircraft that will replace older regional jet aircraft flown by Delta Connection operators.

Photos: Bombardier.

The operationally efficient jets are to be delivered beginning in late 2018 with the last delivery to occur in 2020. They will feature Bombardier’s new Atmosphère Cabin, including increased carry-on bag capacity, a larger lavatory and improved aesthetic detail throughout the cabin.

These aircraft will be configured with 70 total seats including 12 in First Class, 20 in Delta Comfort+ and 38 in the main cabin. They will fly on small market routes to and from Delta’s domestic hubs.

Nonstop Delta service from Boston to Philadelphia coming October 1

Delta Air Lines is adding another top destination to its growing nonstop options from Logan International Airport, with new daily nonstop service to Philadelphia, beginning on October 1.

The service will be flown four times daily on Bombardier CRJ900 aircraft operated by Delta Connection carrier Endeavor Air on the following schedule:

Boston Logan International Airport – Philadelphia International Airport

Departs	Arrives
BOS at 6:45 a.m.	PHL at 8:23 a.m.
BOS at 11:05 a.m.	PHL at 12:49 p.m.
BOS at 1:50 p.m.	PHL at 3:41 p.m.
BOS at 6:35 p.m.	PHL at 8:10 p.m.

Philadelphia International Airport – Boston Logan International Airport

Departs	Arrives
PHL at 9:00 a.m.	BOS at 10:30 a.m.
PHL at 1:25 p.m.	BOS at 2:53 p.m.
PHL at 4:20 p.m.	BOS at 5:54 p.m.
PHL at 8:45 p.m.	BOS at 10:29 p.m.

Delta’s leading global network in Boston

Philadelphia will be Delta’s 51^st nonstop destination from Boston Logan, following Las Vegas service that also begins on October 1. Additionally on October 1, Delta will offer a third daily nonstop to Tampa International Airport.

Delta’s new service to Philadelphia complements numerous Boston service enhancements made in 2018. This spring, Delta added new seasonal weekend service to New Orleans, Savannah and Charleston, with Charleston service increasing to daily beginning in summer. This leisure expansion continues with new Saturday service to Aruba as of June, marking Delta’s sixth destination in the Caribbean from Boston. Additional flights to top business markets begin this summer from Boston to Nashville, Atlanta, Seattle, Kansas City, Jacksonville and Pittsburgh.

Boston serves as an ideal gateway for Philadelphia customers traveling to Europe, with nonstop service to London, Dublin, Paris and Amsterdam. Customers can also fly nonstop from Boston to Rome on Delta partner Alitalia, and Manchester on Delta partner Virgin Atlantic.

Delta’s continued investment in Boston will reach 112 peak day departures by this summer, an increase of 19 departures compared with summer 2017 and 29 departures over summer 2016. Delta and its partners will serve 51 total destinations from Boston, including 17 international destinations and the largest trans-Atlantic network.

Copyright Photo: Delta Connection-Endeavor Air Bombardier CRJ900 (CL-600-2D24) N295PQ (msn 15295) FLL (Bruce Drum). Image: 104551.

Delta Connection-Endeavor Air aircraft slide show:

SkyWest announces a first quarter 2018 profit, ExpressJet to retire the CRJ900s with Delta

SkyWest, Inc. issued this statement:

First Quarter Highlights:

Net income of $54 million, or $1.03 per diluted share, up 56% from $35 millionor $0.65 per diluted share in Q1 2017
Pre-tax income of $67 million, up 28% from $52 million in Q1 2017
Revenue of $783 million, up 5% from $747 million in Q1 2017 on improving fleet mix

SkyWest, Inc. reported financial and operating results for Q1 2018, including net income of $54 million, or $1.03 per diluted share, compared to net income of $35 million, or $0.65 per diluted share for Q1 2017.

The improvement in Q1 2018 pre-tax income from Q1 2017 was primarily due to SkyWest’s ongoing fleet transition. Since Q1 2017 19 new E175 aircraft have been added and 46 CRJ and ERJ 50-seat aircraft and 25 CRJ700/CRJ900 aircraft have been removed.

Commenting on the results, Chip Childs, Chief Executive Officer and President of SkyWest, said “Demand for our product remains strong, and I’m proud of our professionals who continue to provide best-in-class operations to our customers. Our financial results reflect continued solid operating performance combined with the ongoing improvements in our fleet mix. We remain disciplined in our approach to risk and flying commitments and focused on executing a strategy to improve our overall model.”

Q1 2018 Financial Highlights
Revenue was $783 million in Q1 2018, up from $747 million in Q1 2017. The increase in revenue included the net impact of adding new E175 aircraft and improvement in the economics of SkyWest’s fleet mix since Q1 2017, partially offset by the removal of unprofitable or less profitable aircraft over the same period.

Operating expenses were $695 million in Q1 2018, up from $671 million in Q1 2017. The increase in operating expenses included additional labor, engine maintenance and fuel costs.

The effective tax rate for Q1 2018 was 19% compared to 34% in Q1 2017. The lower tax rate in Q1 2018 was primarily due to the reduced federal rate under the new tax law enacted in Q4 2017 and additional discrete tax benefits from stock compensation in Q1 2018.

Q1 2018 Operational Update
SkyWest Airlines, Inc. took delivery of five new E175/E175 SC aircraft during Q1 2018. The following summarizes the anticipated delivery dates for seven E175 aircraft to be placed under contract with Alaska Airlines (three E175 aircraft previously scheduled for delivery in Q4 2018 have been deferred until 2021 at Alaska’s request) and 27 E175 SC aircraft to be placed under contract with Delta Air Lines in 2018:

Scheduled E175/E175 SC

Aircraft Deliveries

In-service
Mar 31, 2018

Q2 2018

Q3 2018

Q4 2018

In-Service

end of 2018

Total E175/E175 SCs:

112

146

ExpressJet Airlines, Inc. continued the previously-announced 2018 wind down of its flying agreement with Delta during the quarter. At the end of Q1 2018, ExpressJet had six CRJ900s and 31 CRJ700s remaining in service under the Delta agreement. ExpressJet anticipates returning seven leased aircraft to Delta in Q2 2018 (six CRJ900s and one CRJ700).

ExpressJet continues to engage in discussions around the CRJ700s scheduled to come out of service with Delta later this year and remains pleased with the level of demand for the CRJ700 product.

Operating Performance:

Flight completion rates at SkyWest Airlines and ExpressJet for Q1 2018 and Q1 2017 are summarized as follows:

	SkyWest Airlines		ExpressJet
	Q1 2018	Q1 2017	Q1 2018	Q1 2017
Adjusted Completion *	99.8%	99.9%	99.9%	99.6%
Raw Completion	97.8%	97.4%	96.1%	96.9%

* Adjusted Completion excludes weather cancellations. Raw Completion includes weather cancellations.

Q1 2018 Capital and Liquidity
SkyWest had $646 million in cash and marketable securities at March 31, 2018, down $39 million from December 31, 2017. During the first quarter of 2018, SkyWest:

Used $18 million toward the purchase of five E175 aircraft
Used $20 million for an early lease buyout on nine aircraft
Used $30 million for other capital investments, including spare engines and aircraft parts
Used $10 million to repurchase stock under its $100 million share repurchase program, of which $70 million remains authorized

Total debt for the quarter was $2.8 billion, up $89 million from December 31, 2017, including debt issued for acquired aircraft, partially offset by scheduled principal payments.

Copyright Photo: The last Bombardier CRJ900 will be taken out of the Delta contract in the second quarter of 2018. The remaining CRJ700s will be retired with Delta by the end of the year. Delta Connection-ExpressJet Airlines Bombardier CRJ900 (CL-600-2D24) N307PQ (msn 15307) ATL (Jay Selman). Image: 403371.

Delta-ExpressJet aircraft slide show:

Delta connects El Paso, Texas, to the West with new nonstop service to Salt Lake City

Delta customers will have a new, convenient way to access El Paso, Texas with new nonstop service from the airline’s hub at Salt Lake City International Airport beginning October 1.

Delta’s Salt Lake City hub offers customers more than 250 daily departures to 90 destinations across the Intermountain West, West Coast, Hawaii, Mexico, Canada and Europe, bringing the world to El Paso International Airport with easy, one-stop connections.

The new service will complement existing Delta flying of three peak-day departures from El Paso with global connections via the airline’s hub at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.

The daily service will operate as follows:

Departs	Arrives	Aircraft
ELP at 8:15 a.m.	SLC at 10:15 a.m.	CRJ-900
SLC at 8:05 p.m.	ELP at 10:25 p.m.	CRJ-900

The Bombardier CRJ900 aircraft operated by Delta Connection carrier SkyWest Airlines is equipped with 12 seats in First Class, 20 in Comfort+ and 44 in the main cabin. Customers will have access to in-flight Wi-Fi as well as streaming in-flight entertainment via Delta Studio.

Copyright Photo: Delta Connection-SkyWest Airlines Bombardier CRJ900 (CL-600-2D24) N810SK (msn 15093) LAS (Ton Jochems). Image: 911201.

Delta Connection-SkyWest aircraft slide show: