Delta Air Lines launches cross-country service on Boeing 737-800 between Atlanta and Fresno

Summary

The direct Fresno-Atlanta flight improves city visibility and connects key destinations.
Delta Flight 561 extends reach from Fresno to the East Coast.
Fresno anticipates an increase in passenger traffic with the new ATL flight and hopes to surpass last year’s numbers.

Delta Air Lines’ first nonstop flight from Fresno to Atlanta took off Friday. This flight marks the start of a new direct long-distance route that will continue all year round. The establishment of direct flight will have a significant impact on the city of Fresno and its population.

Direct flights to ATL

Delta Air Lines will operate Flight 561, departing from Fresno Yosemite International Airport (FAT) at 10:30 p.m. PDT and arriving at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport (ATL) after approximately four hours and nearly 2,000 miles.

Delta Air Lines Boeing 737-900ER (N834DN) taking off from Los Angeles International Airport.

Photo: Philippe Pilosien | Shutterstock

The flight reaches farther east than any other flight at FAT, surpassing United Airlines’ seasonal service to Chicago, which stretches 1,750 miles. The return flight is scheduled to depart ATL at 7:45 p.m. EST and will reach FAT at 9:00 p.m. PDT. There is a three-hour time difference between the two airports.

Fresno Mayor Jerry Dyer spoke to the Fresno Bee about what this decision meant for the city:

“It’s truly an exciting time for air travel here in Fresno. The growth here is undeniable and it is leading to bigger and better things for our entire city. By connecting with Atlanta, we increase Fresno’s visibility as an attractive, progressive city offering diverse services to major transportation hubs.

The route will connect passengers to a variety of destinations, including but not limited to the central San Joaquin Valley, the East Coast, Africa, Europe and Latin America.

The airline will use Boeing 737-800 and 737 MAX 8 aircraft on these routes, which offer approximately 160 seats per departure.

Delta Air Lines Airbus A220-300 at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport.

Delta Air Lines Starts Airbus A220 Operations at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport

The airline is the world’s largest operator of this family of aircraft.

Profound effects

The flight was announced in the third quarter of 2023. Fresno expects the route to increase the number of passengers traveling to FAT and hopes to leverage it to surpass the 2.4 million passengers served last year.

A close-up of a Delta Air Lines Boeing 737-800 on an airport tarmac.

Photo: Delta Airlines

Dyer also spoke about the expected increase in passenger traffic to the city:

“We tend to beat that number this calendar year. I am convinced that we will exceed the figure we had last year. A direct flight like this makes all the sense in the world.

Atlanta is a top ten destination for travelers from Fresno and the route will be offered year-round.

Delta has been present at FAT for many years through its regional branch, Delta Connection. This branch operates flights to Salt Lake City, Utah, courtesy of SkyWest Airlines. The city is the fifth-ranked destination for travelers from Fresno.

Fresno is experiencing an expansion in air service. Delta isn’t the only airline offering connections to the airport. United Airlines resumed seasonal nonstop flights between FAT and Chicago O-Hare International Airport in May and will continue through the end of October.

Southwest Airlines is also expected to launch a new summer route between FAT and Dallas’ Love Field (DAL) with a weekly flight ending in September. American Airlines also connects FAT passengers to Texas via Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport.