Delta Air Lines has announced new service to Orange County, California from New York JFK. This new transcontinental flight is great news for the region, but not a game-changer for premium traffic.
This new service will operate six times weekly (every day except Saturday) using a Boeing 737-700 aircraft in the following configuation:
- 12 in First Class
- 18 in Delta Comfort+
- 94 in Economy Class (Main Cabin)
| John F. Kennedy International – John Wayne Airport | ||
| Departs | Arrives | Frequency |
| JFK at 8:30 a.m. | SNA at 11:45 a.m. | Sun. – Fri. |
| John Wayne Airport – John F. Kennedy International | ||
| Departs | Arrives | Frequency |
| SNA at 12:30 p.m. | JFK at 9:00 p.m. | Sun. – Fri. |
These first class seats will have 37″ of pitch and limited recline. Meanwhile, Delta runs 10 nonstop flights per day between LAX and JFK, all with lie-flat seats in business class.
Delta Beats JetBlue
When JetBlue fanned the rumor flames last month about its Southern California expansion, I mused that Orange County would be an excellent option to commence service and offer MINT (business class). A reader rightly pointed that the runway at SNA could not handle an Airbus A321.
While the short runway at John Wayne / Santa Ana / Orange County (SNA) precludes an A321, a 757-200 would be possible. I still believe there is great potential to charge a hefty premium for a premium product out of the wealthy Orange County region. Perhaps Delta is testing out its 737-700 first and may upgrade to a 757-200 if the service proves profitable.
CONCLUSION
A question to any of my readers in Orange County: will you take this nonstop Delta flight to New York as opposed to driving to Los Angeles? In terms of economy class, I do not think it worthwhile, but if you are flying business class the product ex-LAX and ex-SNA are very, very different. For me, a redeye would merit a drive to LAX…no question about it. For the 12:30p departure, though, I’d probably just stick to the inferior business class product to save the hassle of the drive.
image: Delta
I give this about 4-6 months before it is cancelled.
UA has had flights from EWR forever and they go for 2x-3x of the LAX flights
So while I agree they will not be able to command a revenue premium due to lack of D1 seats, this is a daytime flight so the argument can be made that there is less of a need for them. As a bonus to elites though, since it isn’t D1, the standard upgrade policy should apply and you would have a better chance of at least getting out of economy so for the frequent fliers living in OC it’s probably a better option and I’m sure the flight will go out full.
@Gene We have a steady stream of folks on the EWR to SNA United flight. UA gets a nice premium for this flight. No one here prefers UA. I think this route gets upgraded to a 757-200 after 4 – 6 months. I guess ticket sales will be key.
I totally would take it vs going to LAX.
I feel like there are plenty of people in Southern California who don’t care about a D1 seat. If it were a daytime flight I would consider it to have a non-stop. I live in Los Angeles (city), so the distance to the airport isn’t great, but for the right price I could see it as a good option.
Totally would take Delta instead of going to LAX
Isn’t the 757 bigger than the 321?
Yes, but it’s a lot more powerful and higher fuel capacity.
As the LAX traffic experience continues to deteriorate, this will become more and more attractive.
Ugh. This would be a perfect route for the 757. Maybe even alleviate some of the LAX overcrowding by basing some of the Hawaii 757s out of Orange County.
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Just took this flight as an OC traveler. No way would I do again for the limited business product as opposed to driving to LAX. Being very tall, the limited pitch and recline was a huge disappointment for a premium product.
I’ve done this round trip twice and love the convenience! I do miss the premium features of the LAX flights, it was worth it not to drive. Orange County needs more options like this!