Delta Air Lines' Transatlantic Flights – Non-Hub Departures

While what is now the planet's largest airline has been expanding transatlantically for months, this is a radical new move: non-hub nonstops to Paris Charles De Gaulle (CDG).

In a joint venture with SkyTeam (Web site: www.skyteam.com) partner Air France, Delta Air Lines plans to launch nonstop 757 service in June 2009 from both Pittsburgh (PIT) and Raleigh/Durham (RDU). Neither is a Delta hub. Matter of fact, neither city is a full-blown hub for any airline. Not anymore.

Pittsburgh used to be a major hub for US Airways. That's the last time the western Pennsylvania city lofted any transatlantic nonstops. Last to be eliminated was a nonstop to London Gatwick (LGW).

Raleigh/Durham is a focus city of sorts for American Airlines (AA), specifically American Eagle. AA currently offers nonstop service from the Research Triangle to London Heathrow (LHR). Delta's new Paris nonstop will make for the airport's second transatlantic sojourn.

Delta is fitting these narrowbody 757-200s with 174 seats, 16 of which will be BusinessElite. The remaining 158 will be back behind the curtain, in Economy Class.

© Cheapflights Ltd Jerry Chandler