From new routes and expanded services to boarding process revamps and alliance shifts, major airlines are making key updates that could impact your future travel plans this May 2024. Whether you're flying domestically or internationally, here’s a look at the latest changes from Alaska, American, Delta, JetBlue, Southwest, United and more.
Alaska Airlines
Starting in October, Alaska Airlines is expanding its presence in Southern California by introducing three new routes from San Diego International Airport (SAN) to Harry Reed International Airport (LAS) in Las Vegas, Nevada and Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to Tri-Cities Airport (PSC) in Pasco, Washington.
Alaska will also offer two daily round trips from LAX to Reno-Tahoe International Airport (RNO), reinstating a route previously operated seasonally to now yearly.
American Airlines
American Airlines (AA) has implemented changes across its domestic and international networks. The airline expanded its domestic reach by introducing Provo, Utah as its 228th destination. AA will now offer hundreds of one-stop connections to Provo via Phoenix and Dallas-Fort Worth.
International flights will introduce the Boeing 787 Dreamliner on select routes from New York, including newly announced service to Tokyo. Additionally, AA will operate a special flight from Philadelphia to Sao Paulo for the Philadelphia Eagles' season opener in Brazil.
Delta Air Lines
On May 1, Delta Air Lines introduced a revamped boarding process by implementing a numbered zone system and doing away with its “branded zones.” While maintaining priority for First Class, Delta One passengers and other premium status passengers like Diamond, Platinum and Silver Medallion, Delta's new boarding process will feature eight zones.
Delta aims to simplify the boarding experience with the new process, particularly for occasional travelers and individuals with language barriers. The new group numbers have already started rolling out to airports worldwide and newly issued boarding passes should reflect the updated numbering scheme.
To view the revised full boarding order, visit the Delta Air Lines website here.
Delta Air Lines also announced to expansion of its Africa service. While no new routes were added, Delta revealed plans to resume flights from New York to Lagos, Nigeria. Additionally, the route from New York to Accra, Ghana, will upgrade to the Airbus A330-900neo. This represents a boost in the premium passenger experience, as the A330neo features Delta One Suites.
Meanwhile, the airline’s flight from Atlanta to Johannesburg will be the first to operate on the premium-heavy Airbus A350-900 plane, which features two extra rows of Delta One Suites.
JetBlue Airways
In the fall, JetBlue will launch six new routes from San Juan, Puerto Rico: two to the U.S. (Providence, Rhode Island and New York); two to the Caribbeans (Santiago, Dominican Republic and St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands); one to Cancun, Mexico and Medellin, Colombia.
The carrier has also signaled plans to fly to two more entirely new cities in the Caribbean from New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK): Argyle International Airport (SVD) in St. Vincent and Flamingo International Airport (BON) in Bonaire, an island east of Curacao.
Meanwhile, the carrier will scale back its winter Europe service, halting routes from Boston and New York to London’s Gatwick Airport (LGW). It's worth noting that the carrier will still service London’s Heathrow Airport from both Northeast U.S. cities.
Scandinavian Airlines
Beginning September 1, Scandinavian Airlines (SAS) will join the SkyTeam airline alliance, departing from the Star Alliance.
Joining the SkyTeam will provide SAS customers access to 19 new airlines and more than 1,060 destinations globally, including: North American and European SkyTeam affiliates Delta, Aeromexico, Air France, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, Virgin Atlantic, ITA Airways and Czech Airlines, as well as Asian affiliates such as Korean Air, Xiamen Air, China Airlines and China Eastern Airlines.
EuroBonus will remain as SAS’ loyalty program and the current rules and regulations for traveling on SAS will remain largely the same. EuroBonus membership, including the customer’s loyalty tier and earned points, will not be affected. To learn more about how the transition will impact EuroBonus, visit the SAS website here.
Southwest Airline
Southwest Airlines is removing four cities from its Dallas route map: Bellingham, Washington; Cozumel, Mexico; Syracuse, New York; and Houston (at IAH).
The airline will also reduce routes at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) and Chicago's O'Hare International Airport (ORD) with the elimination of Atlanta to Little Rock, Arkansas and Chicago (at ORD) to Tampa.
United Airlines
United is expanding destinations by adding four North American routes in the coming months: San Francisco to Detroit, San Francisco to Montreal, San Francisco to St. Louis and Chicago to Joplin, Missouri.
