Leveraging LAX – Delta keeps growing and dealing

The nation’s third-largest airline is leveraging Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) for all its worth. By spring, Delta Air Lines will fly nonstop from the West Coast megaport to nearly 40 destinations. To underscore the fact, it’s touting introductory fares on one new route for $59, and $99 discount airfares on a couple of other new runs.

Reno (RNO), Jacksonville, FL (JAX), and New Orleans (MSY) are the next routes out of the shoot for Delta. Jacksonville and New Orleans nonstops get off the ground December 15. Reno takes flight March 8, 2007.

Delta is selling Reno seats for $59 one-way, and New Orleans and Jacksonville passage for $99 one-way. These discount airfares are pegged to a round-trip purchase, have to be bought by October 16, and include neither taxes nor fees. They’re extra.

Reno is a close-in deal for Delta from LAX, but New Orleans and Jacksonville represent something decidedly different. The Crescent City, battered by Katrina and struggling to recover, can sorely use the new nonstop LAX connection.

As for Jacksonville, Delta’s new nonstop means fliers won’t have to connect over Atlanta to make the trip to the northeast Florida city and its nearby resort beaches.

© Cheapflights Ltd Jerry Chandler