Travelers heading to Paris will soon lose a well-loved flight option. Delta Air Lines confirmed that it will end its daytime flight from New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) to Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) on October 26, 2024. This nonstop service, which departs New York at 8:30 a.m. and arrives in Paris by 10 p.m., has provided a convenient alternative to overnight red-eye flights.
Launched for Peak Travel Demand
The daytime flight was introduced earlier this year to meet increased demand, especially for the 2024 Paris Olympics. It was Delta’s only morning departure to Europe from its New York hub, serving as the third daily nonstop service during the peak summer travel season. However, Delta plans to convert this third daily flight into an overnight service by summer 2025.
Delta’s Statement on Service Changes
In a statement to Travel + Leisure, Delta explained that while the daytime flight will be discontinued, travelers can still fly to Paris with two daily evening flights or through its joint venture partner, Air France, which operates five daily flights from New York to Paris. Delta has also notified passengers with bookings beyond March 29, 2025, and rebooked them on other flights.
Advantages of Daytime Flights
This now-discontinued morning flight had been a popular option for reducing jet lag, as passengers often arrived in Paris in the evening and could rest immediately after their journey. Most of Delta’s eastbound flights to Europe, including those to Paris, operate as overnight services, which tend to disrupt sleep schedules for some travelers.
Other Options for Daytime Departures
While there will no longer be a daytime flight from New York to Paris, several early morning nonstop flights to London Heathrow Airport (LHR) remain available. Travelers can choose from American Airlines, British Airways, JetBlue, and Virgin Atlantic for morning departures to London.
Conclusion
The loss of Delta’s daytime service marks a change for travelers seeking a convenient way to reach Paris during the day. However, with multiple evening options and alternative airlines offering daytime flights to other European destinations like London, passengers still have a range of choices for their transatlantic journeys.