Earlier this week, Delta Air Lines made a significant move by placing a high-capacity widebody jet on its nonstop route between Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport (ATL) and Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport (ANC). In a departure from using a Boeing 757-200, Delta will now operate the Boeing 767-300ER on this route during the peak summer period, offering more available seats.
This decision comes amid Delta's strategy to capture increasing travel demand for Alaska. Traditionally, the airline operates this route seasonally, with the Boeing 757-200 used in summer. However, with limited year-round demand, Delta would often channel passengers through other hubs. The current change will significantly impact the route’s operations.
According to Simple Flying, the Boeing 767-300ER will begin flights on May 22, increasing capacity and seating from approximately 11,500 seats per month to nearly 13,000 seats. Ed Bastian, CEO of Delta Air Lines, emphasized the airline's adaptive strategy, saying, "Delta does have strong confidence in the domestic market."