Aviation
Delta Air Lines Ends New York–Brussels Flights After 34 Years
For more than three decades, travelers have relied on Delta Air Lines’ nonstop service between New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) and Brussels, Belgium. That long-standing route will soon be history. Delta Air Lines confirmed that it will end JFK-to-Brussels nonstop flights on January 5, 2026, marking the first time since 1991 (excluding COVID disruptions) that Delta will not operate the connection.
Instead, Delta Air Lines will pivot its Brussels service to Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport beginning March 8, 2026. The move comes as the airline reevaluates its transatlantic network and adapts to what it calls “shifting customer demand.”
Customer Impact and Airline Response
Delta issued an apology to affected travelers, noting that all impacted customers will be contacted directly with rebooking or refund options. The change underscores the volatility of international air travel, where airlines are constantly adjusting to demand patterns, fuel costs, and competitive pressures.
The decision may surprise loyal passengers, as Delta only last year promoted its “largest-ever transatlantic summer schedule” for 2025. At the time, Brussels was featured as one of eight key destinations, reinforcing its importance within the airline’s European network.
Brussels is more than just the capital of Belgium — it’s a key hub for European Union politics and international business. For years, Delta’s JFK connection provided U.S. travelers, particularly business professionals, a direct link to one of Europe’s most influential cities.
With the switch to Atlanta, passengers traveling from New York will now need to connect through Delta’s southern hub. While this adds extra travel time, it also aligns with Delta’s broader strategy of consolidating specific European routes through Atlanta, where it has greater operational flexibility and connecting traffic.
Industry Trends and Competition
Delta’s shift comes amid heightened competition in the transatlantic market. United Airlines continues to dominate out of Newark, while American Airlines maintains strong ties from Philadelphia and New York. European carriers like Brussels Airlines and Lufthansa also provide direct service from the East Coast to Brussels.
Aviation analysts note that while demand for European leisure travel surged post-pandemic, business travel has not fully rebounded to pre-2020 levels. This may have influenced Delta’s decision to concentrate its Brussels flights through Atlanta, a hub with more connecting passengers heading to Europe.
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The final JFK-to-Brussels flight will depart New York on January 5, 2026, with the last Brussels-to-JFK service leaving January 6, 2026. Delta’s Atlanta-to-Brussels flights will then take over two months later.
For frequent fliers, the change closes a chapter on a 34-year-old route that has connected the U.S. and Europe through one of Delta’s most prominent gateways. Whether Atlanta becomes the stronger alternative remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: the competitive landscape for New York transatlantic travelers just shifted dramatically.
