Adam Nathan
@adampnathan.bsky.social
I explain airlines, airports, hotels, restaurants and the business of travel. Building Blaze. Big San Francisco stan.
More travel analysis → readbusinessclass.com
More travel analysis → readbusinessclass.com
Atlanta supplies more local traffic too. O&D share rose from a 31.3% low in 2010 to 42.9% in FY2023, while total enplanements grew from 45.4m to 49.7m.
Geography, airport design, schedule, fleet and local demand reinforce one another. Delta carries four of every five ATL boardings.
Geography, airport design, schedule, fleet and local demand reinforce one another. Delta carries four of every five ATL boardings.
September 18, 2026 at 1:03 PM
Atlanta supplies more local traffic too. O&D share rose from a 31.3% low in 2010 to 42.9% in FY2023, while total enplanements grew from 45.4m to 49.7m.
Geography, airport design, schedule, fleet and local demand reinforce one another. Delta carries four of every five ATL boardings.
Geography, airport design, schedule, fleet and local demand reinforce one another. Delta carries four of every five ATL boardings.
That domestic feed supports a global hub. Delta flew 69 international routes from ATL across summer and winter snapshots. Three more are announced for later 2026.
Smaller U.S. cities fill long-haul flights. Overseas arrivals connect onward across the U.S.
Smaller U.S. cities fill long-haul flights. Overseas arrivals connect onward across the U.S.
September 18, 2026 at 1:03 PM
That domestic feed supports a global hub. Delta flew 69 international routes from ATL across summer and winter snapshots. Three more are announced for later 2026.
Smaller U.S. cities fill long-haul flights. Overseas arrivals connect onward across the U.S.
Smaller U.S. cities fill long-haul flights. Overseas arrivals connect onward across the U.S.
Delta also chose aircraft that could feed those banks frequently.
For years, the MD-88 handled dense short routes. The smaller 717 gave Delta a mainline aircraft for markets such as Atlanta-Chattanooga. Different sizes kept more Southeastern cities connected through the day.
For years, the MD-88 handled dense short routes. The smaller 717 gave Delta a mainline aircraft for markets such as Atlanta-Chattanooga. Different sizes kept more Southeastern cities connected through the day.
September 18, 2026 at 1:03 PM
Delta also chose aircraft that could feed those banks frequently.
For years, the MD-88 handled dense short routes. The smaller 717 gave Delta a mainline aircraft for markets such as Atlanta-Chattanooga. Different sizes kept more Southeastern cities connected through the day.
For years, the MD-88 handled dense short routes. The smaller 717 gave Delta a mainline aircraft for markets such as Atlanta-Chattanooga. Different sizes kept more Southeastern cities connected through the day.
Delta schedules Atlanta in repeated connecting pulses. Flights arrive, passengers and bags redistribute across the concourses, and the next wave departs.
The January average does not resolve into three neat banks. The hub keeps pulsing throughout the day.
The January average does not resolve into three neat banks. The hub keeps pulsing throughout the day.
September 18, 2026 at 1:03 PM
Delta schedules Atlanta in repeated connecting pulses. Flights arrive, passengers and bags redistribute across the concourses, and the next wave departs.
The January average does not resolve into three neat banks. The hub keeps pulsing throughout the day.
The January average does not resolve into three neat banks. The hub keeps pulsing throughout the day.
AirTran built the next real alternative. By 2010 it carried 18% of all ATL enplanements, while Southwest’s merger filing put its share of ATL’s domestic market at 22%.
Southwest bought AirTran in 2011, then integrated it into its network. Today Southwest carries only 5.9% of ATL boardings.
Southwest bought AirTran in 2011, then integrated it into its network. Today Southwest carries only 5.9% of ATL boardings.
September 18, 2026 at 1:03 PM
AirTran built the next real alternative. By 2010 it carried 18% of all ATL enplanements, while Southwest’s merger filing put its share of ATL’s domestic market at 22%.
Southwest bought AirTran in 2011, then integrated it into its network. Today Southwest carries only 5.9% of ATL boardings.
Southwest bought AirTran in 2011, then integrated it into its network. Today Southwest carries only 5.9% of ATL boardings.
For decades, Delta shared Atlanta with Eastern. Eastern dominated much of the East Coast, but it stopped flying in 1991.
Delta already had its headquarters, network and operation in place. Its largest hometown competitor disappeared, and Delta kept building.
Delta already had its headquarters, network and operation in place. Its largest hometown competitor disappeared, and Delta kept building.
September 18, 2026 at 1:03 PM
For decades, Delta shared Atlanta with Eastern. Eastern dominated much of the East Coast, but it stopped flying in 1991.
Delta already had its headquarters, network and operation in place. Its largest hometown competitor disappeared, and Delta kept building.
Delta already had its headquarters, network and operation in place. Its largest hometown competitor disappeared, and Delta kept building.
Atlanta also built the right airport. Five parallel runways surround parallel concourses, with the Plane Train running through the middle.
Aircraft move between gates and runways. Passengers reach every concourse by train. The design handles connections at enormous scale.
Aircraft move between gates and runways. Passengers reach every concourse by train. The design handles connections at enormous scale.
September 18, 2026 at 1:03 PM
Atlanta also built the right airport. Five parallel runways surround parallel concourses, with the Plane Train running through the middle.
Aircraft move between gates and runways. Passengers reach every concourse by train. The design handles connections at enormous scale.
Aircraft move between gates and runways. Passengers reach every concourse by train. The design handles connections at enormous scale.
Delta began serving Atlanta in 1930 and moved its headquarters there in 1941.
The city kept expanding the airport while Delta kept adding flights. For more than 80 years, the airline and airport have grown around each other.
The city kept expanding the airport while Delta kept adding flights. For more than 80 years, the airline and airport have grown around each other.
September 18, 2026 at 1:03 PM
Delta began serving Atlanta in 1930 and moved its headquarters there in 1941.
The city kept expanding the airport while Delta kept adding flights. For more than 80 years, the airline and airport have grown around each other.
The city kept expanding the airport while Delta kept adding flights. For more than 80 years, the airline and airport have grown around each other.
First is geography. Atlanta collects passengers from Florida and the Southeast, then sends them north, west or overseas.
More than 80% of the U.S. population lives within a two-hour flight. Few U.S. hubs are better placed to connect the Southeast to the country and the world.
More than 80% of the U.S. population lives within a two-hour flight. Few U.S. hubs are better placed to connect the Southeast to the country and the world.
September 18, 2026 at 1:03 PM
First is geography. Atlanta collects passengers from Florida and the Southeast, then sends them north, west or overseas.
More than 80% of the U.S. population lives within a two-hour flight. Few U.S. hubs are better placed to connect the Southeast to the country and the world.
More than 80% of the U.S. population lives within a two-hour flight. Few U.S. hubs are better placed to connect the Southeast to the country and the world.
How did Atlanta become home to the world’s largest airline hub?
Delta now operates nearly 1,000 peak-day departures from ATL to 207 destinations and carries four of every five passengers boarding there.
Geography helped. Then the airport and airline spent decades building around each other.
Delta now operates nearly 1,000 peak-day departures from ATL to 207 destinations and carries four of every five passengers boarding there.
Geography helped. Then the airport and airline spent decades building around each other.
September 18, 2026 at 1:03 PM
How did Atlanta become home to the world’s largest airline hub?
Delta now operates nearly 1,000 peak-day departures from ATL to 207 destinations and carries four of every five passengers boarding there.
Geography helped. Then the airport and airline spent decades building around each other.
Delta now operates nearly 1,000 peak-day departures from ATL to 207 destinations and carries four of every five passengers boarding there.
Geography helped. Then the airport and airline spent decades building around each other.
JFK-Puerto Vallarta was a standalone leisure route far outside Alaska's hubs. San Jose-Los Angeles is the opposite: a short route that can feed the network all day.
It returns Nov. 1 with four daily 737s.
It returns Nov. 1 with four daily 737s.
September 17, 2026 at 9:59 PM
JFK-Puerto Vallarta was a standalone leisure route far outside Alaska's hubs. San Jose-Los Angeles is the opposite: a short route that can feed the network all day.
It returns Nov. 1 with four daily 737s.
It returns Nov. 1 with four daily 737s.
Santa Rosa-Salt Lake City was a different kind of bet.
Avelo had flown it before pulling back from Santa Rosa. Alaska announced its own version in May. Then Delta scheduled two daily flights starting Oct. 6.
Alaska dropped its five-weekly launch before it ever started.
Avelo had flown it before pulling back from Santa Rosa. Alaska announced its own version in May. Then Delta scheduled two daily flights starting Oct. 6.
Alaska dropped its five-weekly launch before it ever started.
September 17, 2026 at 9:59 PM
Santa Rosa-Salt Lake City was a different kind of bet.
Avelo had flown it before pulling back from Santa Rosa. Alaska announced its own version in May. Then Delta scheduled two daily flights starting Oct. 6.
Alaska dropped its five-weekly launch before it ever started.
Avelo had flown it before pulling back from Santa Rosa. Alaska announced its own version in May. Then Delta scheduled two daily flights starting Oct. 6.
Alaska dropped its five-weekly launch before it ever started.
Puerto Vallarta also had a brutal spring. Alaska said civil unrest before spring break had a “meaningful impact” on demand.
That makes the cuts harder to read as a clean verdict on the original idea.
That makes the cuts harder to read as a clean verdict on the original idea.
September 17, 2026 at 9:59 PM
Puerto Vallarta also had a brutal spring. Alaska said civil unrest before spring break had a “meaningful impact” on demand.
That makes the cuts harder to read as a clean verdict on the original idea.
That makes the cuts harder to read as a clean verdict on the original idea.
Most of the 18 did not last.
Seven still fly. Two got one repeat season. Five ended earlier. Four more were cut yesterday.
Puerto Vallarta failed completely: all four routes are now gone.
Seven still fly. Two got one repeat season. Five ended earlier. Four more were cut yesterday.
Puerto Vallarta failed completely: all four routes are now gone.
September 17, 2026 at 9:59 PM
Most of the 18 did not last.
Seven still fly. Two got one repeat season. Five ended earlier. Four more were cut yesterday.
Puerto Vallarta failed completely: all four routes are now gone.
Seven still fly. Two got one repeat season. Five ended earlier. Four more were cut yesterday.
Puerto Vallarta failed completely: all four routes are now gone.
And some worked.
Boise-Bozeman returned and expanded. San Diego-Reno became year-round. Boise-Orange County stayed year-round. The Vail and Liberia flights are back in the 2026-27 schedule.
Boise-Bozeman returned and expanded. San Diego-Reno became year-round. Boise-Orange County stayed year-round. The Vail and Liberia flights are back in the 2026-27 schedule.
September 17, 2026 at 9:59 PM
And some worked.
Boise-Bozeman returned and expanded. San Diego-Reno became year-round. Boise-Orange County stayed year-round. The Vail and Liberia flights are back in the 2026-27 schedule.
Boise-Bozeman returned and expanded. San Diego-Reno became year-round. Boise-Orange County stayed year-round. The Vail and Liberia flights are back in the 2026-27 schedule.
Alaska got creative. Just two of the 18 routes started in Seattle.
JFK, St. Louis and Kansas City to Puerto Vallarta. Boise and Sacramento to Orlando. Two routes to Vail. Plus Liberia, Los Cabos, Tucson, Kelowna and Guadalajara.
JFK, St. Louis and Kansas City to Puerto Vallarta. Boise and Sacramento to Orlando. Two routes to Vail. Plus Liberia, Los Cabos, Tucson, Kelowna and Guadalajara.
September 17, 2026 at 9:59 PM
Alaska got creative. Just two of the 18 routes started in Seattle.
JFK, St. Louis and Kansas City to Puerto Vallarta. Boise and Sacramento to Orlando. Two routes to Vail. Plus Liberia, Los Cabos, Tucson, Kelowna and Guadalajara.
JFK, St. Louis and Kansas City to Puerto Vallarta. Boise and Sacramento to Orlando. Two routes to Vail. Plus Liberia, Los Cabos, Tucson, Kelowna and Guadalajara.
The story starts in 2024, when Alaska lost $116 million on an adjusted basis in Q1. Flight 1282 and the 737 MAX 9 grounding made its normally weak winter much worse.
The next winter, Alaska tried putting those planes to work somewhere else.
The next winter, Alaska tried putting those planes to work somewhere else.
September 17, 2026 at 9:59 PM
The story starts in 2024, when Alaska lost $116 million on an adjusted basis in Q1. Flight 1282 and the 737 MAX 9 grounding made its normally weak winter much worse.
The next winter, Alaska tried putting those planes to work somewhere else.
The next winter, Alaska tried putting those planes to work somewhere else.
The internet is abuzz over seven routes Alaska just canceled. Four trace back to a wild experiment it tried in 2025: 18 point-to-point routes designed to put its aircraft to work in winter.
Two became year-round. Vail and Liberia are back this winter. Every Puerto Vallarta route is gone.
Two became year-round. Vail and Liberia are back this winter. Every Puerto Vallarta route is gone.
September 17, 2026 at 9:59 PM
The internet is abuzz over seven routes Alaska just canceled. Four trace back to a wild experiment it tried in 2025: 18 point-to-point routes designed to put its aircraft to work in winter.
Two became year-round. Vail and Liberia are back this winter. Every Puerto Vallarta route is gone.
Two became year-round. Vail and Liberia are back this winter. Every Puerto Vallarta route is gone.
Why is United flying to Ibiza, Madeira, Nuuk, and Ulaanbaatar when other U.S. airlines will not?
The answer is bigger than a route map. I wrote about the hubs, airplanes, gates, and customers making it possible:
www.readbusinessclass.com/p/how-unite...
The answer is bigger than a route map. I wrote about the hubs, airplanes, gates, and customers making it possible:
www.readbusinessclass.com/p/how-unite...
September 17, 2026 at 8:00 PM
Why is United flying to Ibiza, Madeira, Nuuk, and Ulaanbaatar when other U.S. airlines will not?
The answer is bigger than a route map. I wrote about the hubs, airplanes, gates, and customers making it possible:
www.readbusinessclass.com/p/how-unite...
The answer is bigger than a route map. I wrote about the hubs, airplanes, gates, and customers making it possible:
www.readbusinessclass.com/p/how-unite...
Condor rebuilt its planes, product and brand. Then it began building its own European feed. American could give it feed on the U.S. side.
The agreement looks small, but it addresses the part of Condor's turnaround that better airplanes couldn't solve.
The agreement looks small, but it addresses the part of Condor's turnaround that better airplanes couldn't solve.
September 17, 2026 at 6:00 PM
Condor rebuilt its planes, product and brand. Then it began building its own European feed. American could give it feed on the U.S. side.
The agreement looks small, but it addresses the part of Condor's turnaround that better airplanes couldn't solve.
The agreement looks small, but it addresses the part of Condor's turnaround that better airplanes couldn't solve.
This is only an interline agreement. No codeshare, loyalty reciprocity or joint venture has been announced.
But if it works, three AA hubs are worth watching: a Condor return to Phoenix or Miami, and a new Philadelphia flight. Those are possibilities, not announced routes.
But if it works, three AA hubs are worth watching: a Condor return to Phoenix or Miami, and a new Philadelphia flight. Those are possibilities, not announced routes.
September 17, 2026 at 6:00 PM
This is only an interline agreement. No codeshare, loyalty reciprocity or joint venture has been announced.
But if it works, three AA hubs are worth watching: a Condor return to Phoenix or Miami, and a new Philadelphia flight. Those are possibilities, not announced routes.
But if it works, three AA hubs are worth watching: a Condor return to Phoenix or Miami, and a new Philadelphia flight. Those are possibilities, not announced routes.
American now adds feed on the other side: 150+ cities connecting at BOS, JFK, LAX and, from May 2027, ORD.
Chicago is the big one. Condor plans a daily summer flight into one of AA's largest hubs. It can fill the A330neo from across the Midwest, not only Chicago.
Chicago is the big one. Condor plans a daily summer flight into one of AA's largest hubs. It can fill the A330neo from across the Midwest, not only Chicago.
September 17, 2026 at 6:00 PM
American now adds feed on the other side: 150+ cities connecting at BOS, JFK, LAX and, from May 2027, ORD.
Chicago is the big one. Condor plans a daily summer flight into one of AA's largest hubs. It can fill the A330neo from across the Midwest, not only Chicago.
Chicago is the big one. Condor plans a daily summer flight into one of AA's largest hubs. It can fill the A330neo from across the Midwest, not only Chicago.
Condor's answer was to build the network it had depended on someone else to provide.
It launched Frankfurt flights to nine major European cities, then added Barcelona, Budapest, Venice and London Gatwick.
Those flights now feed Condor's long-haul network.
It launched Frankfurt flights to nine major European cities, then added Barcelona, Budapest, Venice and London Gatwick.
Those flights now feed Condor's long-haul network.
September 17, 2026 at 6:00 PM
Condor's answer was to build the network it had depended on someone else to provide.
It launched Frankfurt flights to nine major European cities, then added Barcelona, Budapest, Venice and London Gatwick.
Those flights now feed Condor's long-haul network.
It launched Frankfurt flights to nine major European cities, then added Barcelona, Budapest, Venice and London Gatwick.
Those flights now feed Condor's long-haul network.
The airplanes weren't the weak point. Feed was.
Condor relied on Lufthansa connections at Frankfurt. Lufthansa ended the special feeder agreement in October 2024, and the courts let it stand.
Condor cut Baltimore, Minneapolis, Phoenix, San Antonio, Edmonton and Halifax.
Condor relied on Lufthansa connections at Frankfurt. Lufthansa ended the special feeder agreement in October 2024, and the courts let it stand.
Condor cut Baltimore, Minneapolis, Phoenix, San Antonio, Edmonton and Halifax.
September 17, 2026 at 6:00 PM
The airplanes weren't the weak point. Feed was.
Condor relied on Lufthansa connections at Frankfurt. Lufthansa ended the special feeder agreement in October 2024, and the courts let it stand.
Condor cut Baltimore, Minneapolis, Phoenix, San Antonio, Edmonton and Halifax.
Condor relied on Lufthansa connections at Frankfurt. Lufthansa ended the special feeder agreement in October 2024, and the courts let it stand.
Condor cut Baltimore, Minneapolis, Phoenix, San Antonio, Edmonton and Halifax.
In 2019, Thomas Cook collapsed. Condor kept flying on a state-backed loan, separated from the group and found a new owner in Attestor in 2021.
Then it changed almost everything: striped livery, new cabins, 18 A330neos and a new short-haul fleet now arriving.
Then it changed almost everything: striped livery, new cabins, 18 A330neos and a new short-haul fleet now arriving.
September 17, 2026 at 6:00 PM
In 2019, Thomas Cook collapsed. Condor kept flying on a state-backed loan, separated from the group and found a new owner in Attestor in 2021.
Then it changed almost everything: striped livery, new cabins, 18 A330neos and a new short-haul fleet now arriving.
Then it changed almost everything: striped livery, new cabins, 18 A330neos and a new short-haul fleet now arriving.