Quantcast

US airlines prepare fleets for holiday season demand

Flight made emergency landing in Denver after reported animal strike and engine fire
United Airlines doubles down on Chicago roots with new O'Hare billboards
Gatwick airport strikes, Easter 2025: will my flight be cancelled?
Boarding passes and check-in could be scrapped in air travel shake-up
European air traffic warning means summer delays for holidaymakers
The EU rule change that could affect millions of Brits when their flight is delayed or cancelled
Delta Earnings Land Soon. Why They’re Key for Airline Stocks and the Economy.
Avelo Airlines to Operate Deportation Flights, Hiring Flight Attendants
Travel chaos 2025: all the strikes and disruption expected across Europe
Qatar Airways accelerates Starlink wifi implementation
Southwest Airlines extends flight schedule through early April 2025
Cathay Pacific reaches 3,400 pilots this year, with low resignation rate of 2.9%
United receives FAA approval for first Starlink-equipped planes
Qantas launches mammoth Asia flight sale including Bali and Japan
New Update from Air Canada, WestJet, American Airlines, Delta, United, Southwest, Alaska, JetBlue Airways, and Sunwing: Airline Capacity Between Canada and US Slashed as Bookings Plummet Seventy Per Cent
Delta Cuts Two Domestic Routes
United Airlines Technicians Reject ‘Dead on Arrival’ Contract Proposal, Teamsters Say
The State of the Asia Pacific Airline Industry
Spirit Airlines to add Detroit nonstop flight out of Bradley International Airport
Major airline to launch new direct flights from Scotland to North America
Ryanair launches new ‘prime’ membership which saves passengers more than £400 a year
Judge Orders Boeing to Trial on 737 MAX Case
Qantas’ free international Wi-Fi to switch on from next week
The real reason Southwest is charging for bags now
Air France-KLM in ongoing talks with Air Europa on potential stake, CEO says
Frontier Savagely Shades Southwest After They Eliminated Longstanding Free Bag Policy, Sparking Backlash
Frontier Wants You to 'Divorce Your Old Airline' After Southwest Changes
Delta named one of Fast Company's Most Innovative Companies for sustainability initiatives
Passengers escape fiery American Airlines jet in Denver
Delta, American Dive On Slashed Outlooks; But Two Airlines Rally
US airlines prepare fleets for holiday season demand
Policy
Webp 5r3vc2svdh8ibaxk8gr8iutw0za2
Simple Flying | Simple Flying

As the holiday season approaches, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and United Airlines are preparing for a surge in passenger traffic. According to Cirium, an aviation analytics firm, these major US carriers are deploying their fleets strategically to meet increased demand in December 2024. Narrowbody and widebody aircraft will be essential in accommodating passengers during this period.

Narrowbody aircraft form the backbone of domestic travel in the US. Their efficiency makes them suitable for shorter routes and frequent flights. American Airlines leads with 91,824 scheduled narrowbody flights for December, followed by Delta with 88,130 flights and United with 73,101 flights. Collectively, they plan to operate 253,055 narrowbody flights.

In terms of seat capacity and Available Seat Miles (ASMs), American Airlines offers 15,454,334 seats and 15,972,987,202 ASMs. Delta provides 14,535,949 seats and 14,748,547,215 ASMs. United has 11,932,964 seats and 13,870,663,146 ASMs.

Get the Newsletter
Sign-up to receive weekly round up of news from Sky Industry News
By submitting, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. By providing your phone number you are opting in and consenting to receive recurring SMS/MMS messages, including automated texts, to that number from our short code. Msg & data rates may apply. Reply HELP for help, STOP to end. SMS opt-in will not be sold, rented, or shared.

American operates a diverse fleet of Airbus and Boeing narrowbody jets including Airbus A319s and A321s as well as Boeing 737-800s and MAX 8s. United relies on Boeing for its narrowbody operations but also uses older models like the Airbus A319s and A320s. Delta operates a mix of Airbus A319s and A321s along with various Boeing models including the Boeing 757 series.

Network strategies differ among these airlines: American's hub structure focuses on Dallas-Fort Worth; Delta optimizes connections through hubs like Atlanta; United connects passengers to both domestic and international destinations.

Widebody aircraft play a key role in long-haul international flights. United leads in widebody operations with 9,436 scheduled flights for December while Delta has 7,591 flights and American has 4,985. In terms of seat capacity and ASMs: United offers over two million seats; Delta provides nearly two million; American supplies more than one million.

United's dominance is attributed to its focus on international expansion across the Pacific using a substantial fleet of Boeing widebodies like the Boeing777-300ERs. Delta leverages its transatlantic presence from Atlanta supported by joint ventures with European carriers using Airbus A330s/A350s alongside Boeing767s. American deploys its widebodies across Latin America/Europe/Asia utilizing various Boeing models including Dreamliners.

Each airline’s hub strategy influences their widebody operations: United leverages San Francisco/Newark hubs; Delta's Atlanta hub remains pivotal; American focuses on Latin America via Dallas/Fort Worth/Miami hubs during holidays.

Organizations Included in this History
More News

Ethiopian Airlines has announced the expansion of its cargo network in Asia with the introduction of a new route to Urumqi, China.

Jun 30, 2025

The United States Air Force remains the largest operator of the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II fighter jet.

Jun 29, 2025

The Brazilian aviation regulatory authority, ANAC, has ordered the permanent closure of Voepass Linhas Aéreas.

Jun 29, 2025

Europe's airline market may soon experience a significant shift as the European Union moves to prohibit airlines from charging passengers extra for hand luggage.

Jun 29, 2025

On June 13, 2025, it was reported that Airbus is set to begin flight tests for two new variants of its popular wide-body jet, the Airbus A350.

Jun 29, 2025

The integration of ITA Airways into the Lufthansa Group marks a significant development in European commercial aviation.

Jun 29, 2025