Well, this stinks for those of us who fly to and from South Bend, Indiana (SBN, which is also my home town airport). I first learned about this change from our local news station report last night.
The only flights scheduled beyond November 8th between Detroit and South Bend are the day after the Notre Dame game against USC on the 26th. Any search on Delta.com beyond the month of November results in an error.
Detroit has been my main connection point flying Delta for literally decades of Northwest Air flights to Europe, Asia, and beyond. I loved the old SAAB turboprops as they constantly were in an oversold situation due to weight and balance. Plus, they were really fun to ride when weather conditions were interesting!
When the CRJ-200s came online, we were thrilled with this new fast exciting jet. But with time that thrill waned and I have been longing for the day they were to be gone for good.
Many readers pointed out the obvious that with fewer CRJ-200s there would be fewer flights. I stated over and over that I am fine with that — but did not expect the route from SBN to DTW to simply end. 🙁
The funny thing is that Kalamazoo, Michigan i.e. AZO, a little longer drive for me than the trek over to SBN, is keeping their DTW service as well as Grand Rapids or GRR about two hours from my home.
Also strange to me, as well as to a local travel agent interviewed in the WNDU story, is this choice with SBN to DTW flights so completely full right now. On my trip last week to visit Chris in LA and tour some of the new LAX Terminal 3 gates that opened today, the flight from SBN was oversold and they started the bids at $1,000 and quickly moved to $2,000 for a volunteer to take a later flight!
For me, flying Delta, I am now stuck with Minneapolis or Atlanta as my only HUBS to connect from SBN. That is, unless I am willing to drive all the way to Detroit to fly from there (or jump to MSP or ATL first and then backtrack to DTW – yuck). I also expect that prices, in dollars as well as SkyMiles, will be higher from SBN on Delta as we will have net less seats available with this change.
I guess I will be spending more time on the train to Chicago. At least in that Midwest market prices are much more competitive. And in the end, this sad news tells me my choice to fly American Airlines and other carriers more and more was a good call. – René
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I feel Delta is slow-walking the ending DTW as a hub. So many flights in MI have ended and cuts at GRR, too. Really sad for those of us who travel to DTW and beyond.
The logic of eliminating South Bend-Detroit but keeping South Bend-Minneapolis and South Bend-Atlanta seems nonexistent. Kalamazoo has also lost service, albeit United operated by SkyWest. It would be interesting to know if the South Bend service elimination was a SkyWest decision or a Delta decision.
And I do agree with Ed. I don’t like what I’m seeing at DTW. While Delta is spending money on Sky Club renovations, including what will eventually be a lounge only accessible by Delta One/360 passengers, it does seem like Detroit is always cut.
Detroit is really hurt by all these SkyWest route cancellations, suspensions or frequency reductions in the Great Lakes and Upper Midwest.
Outside some leisure-oriented routes to the beaches in the winter and spring, you just don’t see a lot of additions to and from Detroit.
I suppose that’s what happens when just isn’t much O&D demand for DTW. People flying to DTW are mostly connecting.
P.S. This sure is a slap to Mayor Pete.
The elimination of regional feeder traffic guarantees reduced O&D trips in DTW.
More and more of my connections are now being routed through LGA instead of DTW. DL probably sees way more O&D opportunity out of LGA.
It’s even more frustrating when you have to fly XXX-DTW-LGA-XXX. That’s increasingly an option. I’ve even seen MIA-LGA-CMH-DTW-XXX before.
I get New York and Boston are big markets for Delta, but it’s just crazy that people pay $5,000 for Delta One from JFK to LHR or CDG — flights that can be as short as 5 or 5 1/2 hours. DTW to LHR is down to one flight. DTW to AMS is three times. DTW to CDG is twice with one of those being an Air France flight.
Legacy hubs like Minneapolis, Detroit and, of course, Cincinnati (if it’s even still considered a hub) are hurt by Delta having all these focus cities. The amount of Delta mainline flights at RDU, DEN, AUS, etc. is pretty amazing. Those flights are taking away flights from hubs.
RENE! Say it aint so
You will find a way to “keep climbing” regardless of what the bean counters in Atlanta decide
where is Pete Buttigieg and did he offer any help … Pretty sad day …
I wonder what will happen next fall. Could they add seasonal route for Fri/Sun only when the Irish are playing at home?
@HR – They do that now and will every year.
Have you considered switching to another airline?
@dave – As noted in post I am flying other airlines much more this year.
Yes. Living in San Antonio and trying to fly DL between SAT and DTW is extra frustrating. Two N-S flights/day, one departing at 5:10 am. Ouch. The other departing late afternoon, missing most connections in DTW. DL service cut back to Michigan communities as well, so little connecting service, All evidence of de-hubbing DTW and perhaps exiting Michigan.
Did status match on Southwest and now contemplating one with American.