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Delta Air Lines is doubling down on its strategy of providing weekend getaway flights to popular leisure destinations. The airline has announced that it will be adding 13 new Saturday-only routes from six of its hubs as part of its Summer 2026 schedule. The new routes are targeted at travelers "craving mountain air, coastal charm or a beachside breeze," making use of equipment that is less utilized over weekends. Particularly notable is that Delta is continuing its relentless expansion at Austin Bergstrom International Airport, with the addition of three seasonal Saturday-only routes for the first time. The carrier will also be bringing back 30 weekend routes that proved to be popular this past summer, with average load factors of 86%. Delta Doubles Down On Saturday Spontaneity Providing Saturday-only flights is nothing new for Delta or other US airlines. Both American Airlines and Southwest Airlines recently announced new weekend leisure routes for next year. The strategy allows carriers to create new revenue streams from aircraft that are less utilized when it's not a busy weekday. The new routes will also allow Delta to test load factors to new destinations with a view to potentially increasing frequencies. While a once-weekly service might seem very thin, it taps into the group of leisure travelers that want to get away for a week, and are seeking out new destinations. This travel segment has surged post-pandemic, and Delta is betting that the trend will continue in 2026, emphasizing that the new routes are about "exploring exciting new destinations, while making travel easier, more fun and more flexible." Amy Martin, Delta's vice president of network planning, also points out that when the airline adds new 'pop-up' destinations in this manner, travelers tend to take more trips over the summer. So, from Delta's perspective, it is all about making the experience easier, more seamless and enjoyable: "These new Saturday-only nonstop routes are designed with flexibility and fun in mind, giving travelers more opportunities to explore top leisure destinations without the hassle.” The Details Of The New And Returning Routes Delta will be launching 13 new Saturday-only routes from six of its hubs (see table below). These will feature ten new destinations, from the beaches of the Caribbean and Gulf Coast, to the mountains and gateways to the national parks, and even as far afield as British Columbia. In addition, the airline has confirmed that it will be bringing back 30 other seasonal leisure destinations, including nine at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, and five at Boston, Detroit, and Minneapolis. Delta says that specific schedules have yet to be finalized, but flights will begin in May or June 2026, and will operate through September or October 2026, depending on the route. Spotlight on Austin: Even More New Routes A notable inclusion on the list is Delta's focus city of Austin, where the carrier has been expanding rapidly over the past few years. The Texas capital will be getting seasonal service to Bozeman, the gateway to Yellowstone, and Kalispell, the gateway to Glacier National Park. It will also add the white-sand beaches and emerald waters at Destin-Fort Walton Beach, which will become Delta's sixth Florida destination from Austin. Before then, Delta will also be launching new seasonal 'winter sun' routes at Austin that are scheduled to start in the next few months. These include: Palm Springs: From November 15 to April 25 Cancun: From December 20 to April 12 San Jose del Cabo: From December 20 to April 12
