Last month, JetBlue announced that San Antonio International Airport (SAT) would be eliminated from the JetBlue route map. This announcement came as the airline looks to refocus on east coast and leisure travelers in an effort to return to profitability. With JetBlue exiting the market, San Antonio was set to lose its only direct service to Boston in October.
San Antonio International Airport announced via Twitter/X that Delta would be launching flights between Boston and San Antonio, effectively taking over the route from JetBlue.
NONSTOP TO BOSTON ✈️ Starting this November, fly nonstop from SAT on @Delta! We are thrilled to see our friends at Delta add this important route. What are your travel tips for a trip to this historic city? #flySAT pic.twitter.com/6c6VoBkNzj
— San Antonio International Airport (@SATairport) August 9, 2024
Though the announcement has been made, flights have not yet been loaded into the schedule.
JetBlue currently serves San Antonio 1x daily from Boston Logan International Airport (BOS) and I would expect Delta to come in with the same frequency. JetBlue is utilizing Airbus A320 aircraft on this route, operating on the following schedule:
- B6 1565 (BOS-SAT) Departs: 11:00a Arrives: 2:25p
- B6 1566 (SAT-BOS) Departs: 3:10p Arrives: 8:12p
I suspect that Delta will operate its Airbus A220 on the route as the airline has deployed that aircraft on other routes between Texas and the northeast. If Delta does end up utilizing the Airbus A220 on this route, this will be a big win for Economy passengers thanks to the aircraft’s 2-3 seating layout. Passengers flying in First Class may find the seats to be a little tight as they stay in the standard 2-2 layout though the fuselage is narrower than the 737 and A320 families of aircraft.
This announcement comes amid Delta’s continued push into the Texas market. Delta is the only airline of the Big 4 (American, Delta, Southwest, and United) that doesn’t operate a hub in Texas.
American operates its largest hub at Dallas/Ft. Worth International Airport (DFW), United has a major hub at Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH), and Southwest has focus cities (the airline doesn’t call them hubs) at Dallas Love Field (DAL) and Houston Hobby Airport (HOU).
Delta has expanded rapidly in nearby Austin, using it as a connecting focus city to integrate cities like McAllen, Midland/Odessa, and Harlingen, TX into the Delta network. SkyWest has even opened an E175 crew base in Austin to support the airline’s expansion. While I suspect Delta may look at building up a hub in Austin once the airport expansion is complete, it’s great to see them adding service to other airports around the state.
Summary
JetBlue is eliminating its Boston to San Antonio route, leaving the airport altogether. Starting in November, Delta will take over the route though we don’t yet know the frequency or aircraft type as the flight has not yet gone on sale. Clearly Delta sees the demand in the market and it is great to see their continued commitment to the Texas market.
(Images courtesy Delta and JetBlue)
When I checked the schedule, it looked like B6 was actually running A220s from SAT as well, albeit the -300. Wouldn’t be surprised if they’ve used E90s on the route, given that I’ve been at AUS when they’ve used an E90 to BOS from there.
I saw the A320 on the schedule for B6 when I was looking on Google Flights for next month. Makes more sense that they would use an A220 and DL’s A220-100 is the right size for the route.