US And Belgium Lead Delta Airlines International Growth As Carrier Accelerates European Expansion Into Italy, France, Spain And Germany - Travel And Tour World

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US and Belgium are experiencing Delta Airlines' explosive trans-Atlantic expansion as the airline aggressively returns to service and expands its European network in rapid fashion with the addition of big new one-stop routes to premier spots in Italy, France, Germany, Spain, and the United Kingdom, driving unparalleled global expansion and connectivity.

On June 10, Delta Air Lines officially relaunched its nonstop service from Atlanta to Brussels, reactivating a route that has seen multiple suspensions and resumptions over the past three decades. Delta first served this route in June 1993, operating it until April 2016. After a brief pause, flights resumed in March 2017, only to be suspended again during the pandemic in March 2020. With the recent relaunch, Delta once again offers nonstop service connecting Atlanta and Belgium's capital, while strategically expanding its transatlantic footprint from its key Atlanta hub.

The Atlanta-Brussels relaunch is part of a broader transatlantic resurgence for Delta this summer. In June alone, Delta and other U.S. and Canadian carriers are introducing or resuming 15 transatlantic routes. This follows 27 route launches in May, including Delta's inaugural flight from Atlanta to Naples on May 23. That new Naples service now represents the longest nonstop route ever connecting the Italian city, adding a new milestone to Delta's European expansion.

With Brussels reinstated and Naples newly added, Delta's Atlanta-to-Europe network now spans 18 destinations for the rest of the year. While some, like Berlin, are limited special event flights rather than regular service, they still contribute to Delta's growing international presence. In November, Delta will operate special Berlin flights to accommodate American football fans traveling to Germany for the Atlanta Falcons vs. Indianapolis Colts game. Flights will depart from Atlanta on November 5 and 6, while return services from Berlin are planned for November 10 and 11, utilizing Airbus A330-300 and Boeing 767-300ER aircraft for these operations the transatlantic journeys.

Excluding these limited services, Delta's core Atlanta-to-Europe network features 17 destinations served regularly with its own aircraft. This list does not include transatlantic destinations operated by Delta's SkyTeam and joint venture partners, such as Air France's Paris Charles de Gaulle, KLM's Amsterdam, Virgin Atlantic's London Heathrow and Manchester, or SAS's Copenhagen flights. These partnerships remain integral to Delta's overall transatlantic offering but are separate from its directly operated routes.

Delta's Atlanta to Europe Operations (July to December):

(Flight schedules are current as of mid-June and may be adjusted later in the year as winter schedules are finalized.)

Between July and December, Delta will operate European flights from 11 U.S. hubs and airports, though Atlanta and New York JFK remain its two largest transatlantic gateways. New York JFK stands as the network's busiest hub, averaging twenty-six daily departures, with Atlanta ranking as Delta's second-largest transatlantic base, handling around twenty daily flights to Europe. Altogether, Delta operates seventy-nine transatlantic routes, featuring twenty-six from New York JFK and eighteen from Atlanta.

While Atlanta serves as Delta's most important domestic hub, its growing European network reflects the airline's continued focus on positioning the city as a global gateway. Delta also maintains limited but valuable transatlantic services from smaller hubs like Cincinnati (Paris), Los Angeles (Paris), Orlando (Amsterdam), and Tampa (Amsterdam), further supported by its SkyTeam joint venture agreements.

Looking back at 2024 travel data, nearly 3 million round-trip passengers flew on Delta's nonstop services between Atlanta and Europe. This figure includes both travelers whose final destinations were Atlanta or Europe and those connecting through either side. Booking data indicates that 59% of Delta's transatlantic passengers in Atlanta connected to another Delta flight within the U.S., underscoring Atlanta's importance as a transfer hub. Meanwhile, 24% of travelers originated or concluded their trip directly in Atlanta.

An additional 10% of passengers connected both in Atlanta and at a European partner hub -- such as Paris Charles de Gaulle (Air France), Amsterdam (KLM), London Heathrow (Virgin Atlantic), or Rome Fiumicino (ITA Airways, Delta's Italian partner). Another 7% of travelers started or ended their journey in Atlanta while transferring at one of Delta's European partner hubs.

Delta's European Passenger Breakdown at Atlanta in 2024:

US and Belgium experience aggressive global expansion of Delta Airlines with the carrier resuming transatlantic service with speed and adding formidable new routes in Europe to include Italy, France, Germany, Spain, and the United Kingdom.

Delta's renewed push into Europe from Atlanta reflects not only its recovery from the pandemic but also its long-term strategy to leverage its largest U.S. hub for international growth. By introducing new destinations such as Naples and Brussels, alongside established hubs like London, Paris, and Rome, Delta further solidifies Atlanta's position as a leading transatlantic gateway for the US. travelers heading to Europe. As the airline continues to refine its network and fine-tune its winter schedule, Atlanta remains at the heart of Delta's expanding global ambitions.