Delta Air Lines Cuts Raleigh-Durham to Nashville Route

Delta Air Lines is continuing to downsize its route network out of Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina (RDU).

The airline’s route from Raleigh-Durham to Nashville, Tennessee (BNA) will end after November 30. Delta currently offers this flight with a daily CRJ-900 operated by Endeavor Air.

Delta launched its Raleigh-Durham to Nashville route in 2017 with twice-daily flights intended to cater towards business travelers.

Southwest Airlines and American Airlines continue to provide flights between Raleigh-Durham and Nashville. American commenced the route last year as it significantly grew its point-to-point network.

Delta’s latest cut is part of the airline’s continuous route reductions out of Raleigh-Durham. Most recently, Delta canceled the resumption of flights from RDU to Chicago (ORD) and Philadelphia (PHL). A number of other destinations Delta suspended from Raleigh-Durham—due to the COVID-19 pandemic—have also been removed, such as Hartford (BDL), Indianapolis (IND), and Cincinnati (CVG).

In 2021, Delta affirmed it would maintain a focus city in Raleigh-Durham as corporate travel rebounded. However, despite the rebound this year, the airline has continued to remove routes from the city. This could be attributed to the pilot shortage which has affected routes, especially ones flown with regional aircraft.

As of now, Delta’s Raleigh-Durham network consists of flights to its hubs alongside several non-hub leisure and business routes. Delta’s distinguished transatlantic flight to Paris, France (CDG) restarted in August but continues to operate at lower capacity than 2019.