Delta Unveils Largest Ever Transatlantic Schedule in 2024
Naples and Shannon will be added to Delta's transatlantic network next year, while new services from JFK and Atlanta will connect to Munich and Zurich, respectively
Photo: Amalfi Coast, Italy. Courtesy of Tom Podmore / Unsplash
Delta Air Lines has announced plans to launch four new routes to Europe next year and increase the frequency of several others, making its transatlantic schedule for 2024 the most ambitious ever.
According to the Atlanta-based carrier, its transatlantic schedule for the summer of 2023 was “record-setting,” it is now looking to capitalize on this by adding even more options for its passengers.
Photo: Delta Air Lines, Airbus A330-300 at Amsterdam Schiphol. Courtesy of Aron Marinelli / Unsplash
The airline confirmed it will add Naples, Italy, and Shannon, Ireland, to its transatlantic network while adding new routes to existing European destinations from its major hubs in Atlanta and New York.
“There’s never been a better time to explore Europe on Delta, and customers looking ahead to summer adventures abroad will find plenty of inspiring options – coupled with the premium services and amenities we know Delta customers anticipate and enjoy,” said Joe Esposito, Senior Vice President of Network Planning at Delta.
Beginning on April 7, 2024, Delta will launch a 3x weekly service between New York John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) and Munich International Airport (MUC), which will run on a seasonal basis until October 24. Outbound flights are scheduled to leave JFK at 6:05 PM on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays and arrive in Munich at 8:25 AM the next day. Return legs will then depart Munich at 11:45 AM on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays, touching down in New York at 2:40 PM.
Photo: Munich, Germany. Courtesy of Ian Kelsall / Unsplash
This new service will add to Delta’s existing routes to Munich from both Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) and Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW) but will face competition from Star Alliance members United Airlines and Lufthansa who currently offer two daily flights between the two destinations under their joint venture agreement.
On May 23, Delta will launch new seasonal routes from JFK to Naples International Airport (NAP) in Italy and Shannon Airport (SNN) in Ireland, with both daily routes ending on October 5 and 6, respectively.
Flights to Naples – close to world-famous attractions such as Pompeii and the Amalfi Coast – will leave JFK at 4:50 PM each day and arrive in Italy at 8:00 AM the next day, while return flights are scheduled to leave Naples at 10:00 AM and arrive back in New York at 2:05 PM. This will be Delta’s only service to Naples, but it will face competition from United, which operates daily flights out of Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR), as well as American Airlines from Philadelphia International Airport (PHL).
Photo: Delta, Boeing 767-300ER. Courtesy of Delta Air Lines
Meanwhile, Delta’s service to Shannon – the gateway to Ireland’s stunning Atlantic coast – will depart JFK at 10:55 PM each day and touch down in Ireland at 10:10 AM the next day, with return flights departing Shannon at 11:55 AM and arriving back in New York at 2:25 PM. This will be Delta’s first return to Shannon since 2019, and it will again face competition from United, which serves the destination from Newark and Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD).
Finally, on May 31, Delta will launch a seasonal service between Atlanta and Zurich Airport (ZRH) four times per week, which is set to end on September 8. Outbound flights are scheduled to depart ATL at 7:35 PM on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays and arrive in Zurich at 9:35 AM the next day. The return flights will then depart Zurich at 11:35 AM on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, touching down in Atlanta at 2:55 PM.
These flights will be in addition to Delta’s current service to Zurich from JFK, while it will face intense competition in the market from United’s joint venture with SWISS.
Hotel Cipriani in Venice, Italy, where guests stayed during Travelling With Pride / Photo: Courtesy of © Belmond_Tyson Sadlo
As well as these new routes, Delta confirmed it would be increasing flight frequencies on several existing services, including Atlanta to Paris (CDG) and Venice (VCE), New York JFK to Barcelona (BCN), Detroit to Paris, and Reykjavik (KEF), Boston (BOS) to Athens (ATH), and Cincinnati (CVG) to Paris.
Despite this significant expansion, one transatlantic route will soon face the axe. Delta’s service from Atlanta to Düsseldorf International Airport (DUS) will end on October 27 this year due to a lack of demand, even though it is the only transatlantic service out of the German city.
