ATLANTA – Delta Air Lines (DL) is kicking off seven new Saturday-only seasonal flights from Orlando International Airport (MCO), connecting to cities like Birmingham (BHM), Omaha (OMA), and Raleigh-Durham (RDU).
It’s a smart move as Delta tests the waters at one of the country’s busiest and fastest-growing airports.
Starting December 20, 2025, Delta will add flights to several underserved cities—Cincinnati (CVG), Columbus (CMH), Kansas City (MCI), and Milwaukee (MKE). These flights will run through April 11, 2026.
Even though they only fly once a week, these new routes raise a big question: Is Delta turning Orlando into a focus city?
A New Strategy from Delta
This shift is different for Delta. Normally, its flights run through major hubs like Atlanta (ATL), Minneapolis-St. Paul (MSP), Salt Lake City (SLC), and Detroit (DTW).
But now, Delta is trying something new—point-to-point flights directly from Orlando. It’s a bet on the city’s strong travel demand and rising importance in the airline world.
Orlando International served more than 58 million passengers in 2023 and keeps growing, with new terminals and lounges being added.
All that growth makes Orlando more than just a place to visit—it’s becoming a strong starting point for travelers, especially those flying for fun.
Delta picked cities with solid traveler bases, fewer nonstop options, and strong loyalty to the airline. That makes them great for testing.
Choosing Saturday-only flights helps Delta keep its planes moving without affecting weekday schedules. It’s a smart way to try something new without shaking up the system too much.
These routes will likely be handled by Delta’s regional partners with quick turnarounds—no need for big investments or permanent operations.
Delta’s History of Experiments
Delta isn’t new to trying things outside its hubs. Back in 2018, it started a nonstop from Indianapolis (IND) to Paris (CDG), and before that, flew from Pittsburgh (PIT) to Paris.
Those flights didn’t last past the pandemic, but they show how Delta is willing to take chances when the numbers make sense.
The Orlando plan is another example. It balances risk with flexibility and explores new traveler demand without major commitments.
Why Orlando Makes Sense
Other big airlines like Southwest (WN), JetBlue (B6), and Frontier (F9) already fly heavily out of Orlando. They’re drawn to its steady stream of leisure travelers and modern airport setup.
Orlando isn’t just busy during holidays—it’s full of conventions, events, and families traveling year-round. That gives it a big edge over other cities.
By late 2024, Delta handled about 12% of all traffic in Orlando. To compete with low-cost carriers like Spirit and Frontier, Delta needs to keep seats full while staying profitable—even when ticket prices are lower.
There’s no official word on Orlando becoming a Delta focus city, but everything the airline is doing points in that direction. Carefully chosen routes, weekend flights, and market testing all fit the playbook.
If this works, cities like Tampa (TPA), San Diego (SAN), or Nashville (BNA) could be next.
A Unique Opportunity
What makes Orlando different from other cities like Austin (AUS)—where American Airlines pulled back—is its steady flow of both incoming and outgoing travelers.
Orlando doesn’t swing wildly with the seasons, which helps Delta manage risks as it expands.
It also gives Delta a chance to take on low-cost carriers in markets that don’t yet have many nonstop options.
Still, flying full planes doesn’t always mean big profits. With lower fares, Delta has to find a way to make these routes pay off.
By limiting flights to Saturdays, Delta is staying careful. These flights use planes that might otherwise sit idle, testing demand with little risk. It’s a smart move in a busy, competitive market.
Final Thoughts
Delta’s new routes from Orlando might look small, but they carry a big message. Whether or not Delta officially calls it a focus city, it’s already acting like it is—using strong demand, efficient planning, and careful testing.
This could signal a change in how big airlines think about non-hub airports. If the Orlando plan works, we could see similar ideas in other growing, traveler-friendly cities.
Right now, Delta’s plan is simple and low-key—but it might just shape the future of airline networks.