Delta to Resume Chattanooga-New York Nonstop Flights

Delta Air Lines has announced plans to restart its key daily nonstop service between Chattanooga and New York following an earlier pause due to the pandemic. The service from Chattanooga Airport to LaGuardia International Airport is set to restart from October 7, according to Lovell Field.

Business Travel Gains Momentum

Chattanooga Airport’s President and CEO, April Cameron, reported that New York is the most sought-after market business travelers have shown interest in each year. “The schedules will be very accommodating for business travelers who need to fly out and return the same day,” Cameron said in a public statement. She highlighted Delta’s significant role as a partner, expressing gratitude for the company’s continued confidence in Chattanooga and the surrounding regions.

Flight Schedule and Operations

The reinstated service to LaGuardia will include an early morning departure and an evening arrival in Chattanooga. The flights are scheduled to depart from Chattanooga at 7 a.m., arriving in New York by 9:10 a.m. The return flight from New York will take off at 7:45 p.m., arriving in Chattanooga at 10:15 p.m. The tickets are set to go on sale this weekend.

The service will be operated on a CRJ-900, a 76-seat aircraft. Delta’s commitment to safety standards, while providing seamless connectivity, is expected to facilitate a comfortable journey for travelers.

Encouraging Economic Development

Chattanooga Mayor Tim Kelly affirmed that resuming nonstop flights to LaGuardia has been a high priority for his administration due to the associated economic development opportunities and easy access to amenities in New York City. He expressed appreciation to Delta for their collaboration.

The Chair of Chattanooga Airport Authority, Jim Hall, also expressed gratitude for the community’s loyalty in choosing to fly from Chattanooga, a factor believed to have influenced Delta’s decision to resume the service.

Delay Due to Pandemic Effects

Officials from Chattanooga Airport had initially hoped that flights to New York would have resumed earlier. However, an unexpected delay occurred as business traffic across the nation was slower to recover from the pandemic compared to leisure travel.