Delta is launching a new premium transcontinental flight, which will no doubt put some pressure on American… though maybe it’s a route American was planning on cutting anyway?
Delta last launched this route in late 2018, but then cut it in early 2019, so the route only lasted for a matter of weeks. The airline claimed that decision came because of issues with slot allocation awards at Orange County Airport, as the airport awarded the airline fewer slots in 2019 than in 2018. So the airline opted to cut that route, over other routes from the airport.
We know that American is slowly replacing its A321Ts with A321XLRs, so one wonders what the long term future for this route holds. That’s because the A321XLR is heavier than the A321T, and Orange County has a very short runway, so it’s unlikely American could operate this route once it fully transitions to A321XLRs, at least without some major seat blocking.
A great solo travel tip spotted this week on One Mile at a Time.
