April 16, 2023
•
Read in 3 minutes
Delta Air Lines is expanding its presence in London.
The Atlanta-based airline has launched nonstop service between New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) and London Gatwick Airport (LGW). The flight will see Delta return to Gatwick for the first time in 15 years.
Heathrow Airport (LHR) is London’s main international hub and the favorite of most business travelers (and many leisure travelers). Gatwick Airport — London’s second busiest airport — is heavily skewed towards regional and leisure routes. But Delta’s return to the airport highlights increased competition on routes between the United States and London.
JetBlue will launch flights to London as its first European destination in August 2021, first to Heathrow and then to Gatwick. JetBlue currently flies to both London airports from its JFK hub and Boston Logan International Airport (BOS).
Related: JetBlue to fly to London’s Heathrow and Gatwick: Which route should I choose?
JetBlue’s entry into the market opens a new front in a longstanding rivalry between the US ‘Big Three’ for routes to London. American Airlines, Delta Air Lines and United Airlines combine to operate dozens of daily flights between Heathrow and New York alone. Bringing in joint venture partners (American Airlines works closely with British Airways and Delta owns a large stake in Virgin Atlantic) gives them a stronger share of the London market.
But JetBlue has promised to lower the fares charged by its major US rivals and their alliance partners as it launches its own service to London. JetBlue says it will include a Mint cabin, which includes plush lie-flat seats and services that rival the business-class offerings of larger competitors.
Delta first announced plans for seasonal JFK-LGW flights in September 2022. This is exactly one year after JetBlue started flying to London. Delta currently says it plans to fly the route year-round.
The addition to this map makes Delta the only Big 3 US airline to fly to LGW. Other ultra-low-cost Scandinavian airlines like JetBlue, Lufthansa and Norse Atlantic Airways already fly to LGW.
RELATED: Virgin Atlantic and Delta to return to London Heathrow Terminal 3 on July 15, clubhouse reopening
Gatwick welcomed the return of Delta Air Lines, a lesser-known airline than Heathrow among U.S. travelers.
LGW CEO Stewart Wingate said the new route will boost competition and add a second London option for Delta customers.
“It also shows that Gatwick Airport has a strong appeal as a well-known long-haul airline airport,” he added in a statement.
Here is Delta’s schedule for flights between JFK and LGW:
- Depart LGW 14:10, arrive JFK 17:00
- Depart JFK at 23:35, arrive at LGW at 12:00 (next day).
Related reading:
Featured Images of SEAN CUDAHY/THE POINTS GUY
Editorial Disclaimer: The opinions expressed here are those of the author and do not represent those of the bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain.
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- Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® points when you spend $6,000 on card purchases during the first six months of your card membership.
- Earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points on flights booked directly with an airline or American Express Travel and 5X Membership Rewards® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel.
- $200 Hotel Credit: Get $200 in statement credit each year when you book a Fine Hotels + Resorts® or Hotel Collection prepaid with American Express Travel when you pay with your Platinum Card®.
- $240 Digital Entertainment Credit: Earn up to $20 in statement credit each month when you use your Platinum Card® to pay for eligible purchases from select providers: Peacock, Audible, SiriusXM and The New York. Participating providers such as Times. Registration required.
- $155 Walmart+ Credit: Cover the cost of a $12.95 monthly Walmart+ membership with a statement credit after paying your monthly Walmart+ fees with your Platinum Card. Cost includes $12.95 plus applicable local sales tax.
- American Express expands Centurion® Network to include more than 40 Centurion lounges and studios worldwide. Get free entry and exclusive benefits at more locations with your Platinum Card®.
- $200 Airline Fee Credit: Receive up to $200 statement credit per calendar year when you select one eligible airline and the airline charges your card for incidental charges.
- $200 Uber Cash: Enjoy Uber VIP status and get up to $200 in annual Uber discounts on US rides or food orders. Uber Cash and Uber VIP status are only available to Basic Card Members.
- $300 Equinox Credit: Get up to $300 back each year with your Equinox Club membership when you pay with an Equinox+ subscription or Platinum Card. Registration required. learn more.
- $189 CLEAR® credit: Get through security easily with CLEAR® Plus at 45+ airports nationwide, use your card and receive up to $189 annually on your membership (subject to auto-renewal) can do.
- $695 annual fee.
- Terms of use apply.
- View rates and fees
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Earn 80,000 points
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Annual fee
$695
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Recommended credit
670-850
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Reason for being chosen
Reaping the benefits of a good credit card can be worth the large investment. The same goes for the Amex Platinum card. Redeem your annual fee to unlock access to the Amex Membership Rewards program, which gives you access to airline and hotel transportation partners, as well as new lifestyle and travel credits. The card is also very beneficial for travel purchases, helping you accumulate tons of Membership Rewards points for your next award trip.
Strong Points
- The current welcome offer for this card is very lucrative: TPG values it at $1,600.
- The card includes Centurion lounge access, complimentary elite status at Hilton and Marriott, at least $500 in various annual statement credits, and much more. (Some benefits require registration.)
- Amex Platinum comes with access to premium concierge services to help with everything from booking hard-to-find reservations to finding destination guides to help plan your next vacation.
Cons
- The hefty annual fee is only worth it if you take full advantage of the card’s benefits. Travelers rarely get enough value to justify the cost.
- Outside of the current welcome bonus, it only earns higher rewards for certain airfare and hotel purchases, so it’s not the best card for other spending categories.
- Annual airline billing credits can be complex to redeem compared to the wide range of travel credits offered by competing premium cards.
- Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® points when you spend $6,000 on card purchases during the first six months of your card membership.
- Earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points on flights booked directly with an airline or American Express Travel and 5X Membership Rewards® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel.
- $200 Hotel Credit: Get $200 in statement credit each year when you book a Fine Hotels + Resorts® or Hotel Collection prepaid with American Express Travel when you pay with your Platinum Card®.
- $240 Digital Entertainment Credit: Earn up to $20 in statement credit each month when you use your Platinum Card® to pay for eligible purchases from select providers: Peacock, Audible, SiriusXM and The New York. Participating providers such as Times. Registration required.
- $155 Walmart+ Credit: Monthly Walmart+ membership costs of $12.95 are covered with a statement credit after you pay your monthly Walmart+ fees with your Platinum Card. Cost includes $12.95 plus applicable local sales tax.
- American Express expands Centurion® Network to include more than 40 Centurion lounges and studios worldwide. Get free entry and exclusive benefits at more locations with your Platinum Card®.
- $200 Airline Fee Credit: Receive up to $200 statement credit per calendar year when you select one eligible airline and the airline charges your card for incidental charges.
- $200 Uber Cash: Enjoy Uber VIP status and get up to $200 in annual Uber discounts on US rides or food orders. Uber Cash and Uber VIP status are only available to Basic Card Members.
- $300 Equinox Credit: Get up to $300 back each year with your Equinox Club membership when you pay with an Equinox+ subscription or Platinum Card. Registration required. learn more.
- $189 CLEAR® credit: Get through security easily with CLEAR® Plus at 45+ airports nationwide, use your card and receive up to $189 annually on your membership (subject to auto-renewal) can do.
- $695 annual fee.
- Terms of use apply.
- View rates and fees
Strong Points
- The current welcome offer for this card is very lucrative: TPG values it at $1,600.
- The card includes Centurion lounge access, complimentary elite status at Hilton and Marriott, at least $500 in various annual statement credits, and much more. (Some benefits require registration.)
- Amex Platinum comes with access to premium concierge services to help with everything from booking hard-to-find reservations to finding destination guides to help plan your next vacation.
Cons
- The hefty annual fee is only worth it if you take full advantage of the card’s benefits. Travelers rarely get enough value to justify the cost.
- Outside of the current welcome bonus, it only earns higher rewards for certain airfare and hotel purchases, so it’s not the best card for other spending categories.
- Annual airline billing credits can be complex to redeem compared to the wide range of travel credits offered by competing premium cards.
- Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® points when you spend $6,000 on card purchases during the first six months of your card membership.
- Earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points on flights booked directly with an airline or American Express Travel and 5X Membership Rewards® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel.
- $200 Hotel Credit: Get $200 in statement credit each year when you book a Fine Hotels + Resorts® or Hotel Collection prepaid with American Express Travel when you pay with your Platinum Card®.
- $240 Digital Entertainment Credit: Earn up to $20 in statement credit each month when you use your Platinum Card® to pay for eligible purchases from select providers: Peacock, Audible, SiriusXM and The New York. Participating providers such as Times. Registration required.
- $155 Walmart+ Credit: Monthly Walmart+ membership costs of $12.95 are covered with a statement credit after you pay your monthly Walmart+ fees with your Platinum Card. Cost includes $12.95 plus applicable local sales tax.
- American Express expands Centurion® Network to include more than 40 Centurion lounges and studios worldwide. Get free entry and exclusive benefits at more locations with your Platinum Card®.
- $200 Airline Fee Credit: Receive up to $200 statement credit per calendar year when you select one eligible airline and the airline charges your card for incidental charges.
- $200 Uber Cash: Enjoy Uber VIP status and get up to $200 in annual Uber discounts on US rides or food orders. Uber Cash and Uber VIP status are only available to Basic Card Members.
- $300 Equinox Credit: Get up to $300 back each year with your Equinox Club membership when you pay with an Equinox+ subscription or Platinum Card. Registration required. learn more.
- $189 CLEAR® credit: Get through security easily with CLEAR® Plus at 45+ airports nationwide, use your card and receive up to $189 annually on your membership (subject to auto-renewal) can do.
- $695 annual fee.
- Terms of use apply.
- View rates and fees
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