Airlines Extend Europe Routes Into Winter as $100 Billion Fuel Hit Spurs Off-Peak Push
Updated
Updated · CNBC · Jul 6
Airlines Extend Europe Routes Into Winter as $100 Billion Fuel Hit Spurs Off-Peak Push
2 articles · Updated · CNBC · Jul 6
Summary
U.S. airlines are keeping European leisure routes flying months longer, with United's Newark-Palermo service now running to Dec. 16 and Delta's Minneapolis-Rome route extending into January.
Heat waves, overcrowding and high summer prices are pushing more Americans into shoulder-season travel, while carriers chase higher-margin international demand to offset an industry fuel bill expected to cut profits by $100 billion.
Premium-heavy trans-Atlantic flights make the strategy attractive: some round-trip business-class fares reach $10,000, and airlines are redeploying widebody jets to stretch profitable Europe service beyond the traditional summer window.
Delta says the shift is reshaping operations, including doing more aircraft maintenance in summer to preserve planes for fall, while American calls October a peak month even if January and February remain weak.
Hotels are adapting too; Sicily's San Domenico Palace reported stronger U.S. bookings in March, April, October and November, underscoring a broader move toward year-round European travel.