After a two-year break, Delta Airlines is preparing to consolidate its transatlantic operations with the addition of New York-Lagos flight services.

The Atlanta-based U.S. legacy carrier recently announced it would relaunch flights to New York-Lagos on December 1, 2024.

Additionally, the airline plans to upgrade its equipment on flights to Accra, Ghana, and South Africa to feature newer premium experiences. The changes are expected to roll out in June, September, and October in that order.

The last time the airline served the route – John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) in New York to Murtala Muhammed International Airport (LOS) in Lagos – was in October 2022 on the Boeing 767-300ER, according to aviation analytics and data firm Cirium. When it returns, the carrier will utilise the Airbus A330-200 on the route.

Flight details remain unknown as Delta has yet to update its December flight schedule with the service. However, the carrier confirmed that the route’s frequencies will be daily through January 16, 2025, when it will then be three times weekly.

“Delta currently operates daily service between Atlanta and Lagos and, with the resumption of daily New York-JFK service, will offer a total of 14 weekly flights to Nigeria in December through the first half of January and 10 weekly flights for the remainder of winter 2024,” the carrier explained.

The airline’s A330-200s can accommodate 223 passengers in a three-class configuration. They have 34 Delta One seats with spacious lie-flat beds and “an extensive food and beverage programme that includes thoughtfully curated menu options, as well as specialty snacks and premium beer, wine, and spirits.”

The Delta Premium Select cabin, otherwise known as premium economy, has 21 recliner seats, giving passengers “more space to relax and stretch out.” The seats also have a deeper recline and adjustable foot and legrests.

According to Delta, the airline carries over a half million travellers between the U.S. and Africa yearly, with more than 34 weekly flights, making it the number one airline serving the two regions.

Delta was also the first U.S.-based carrier to inaugurate service to Ghana and is the largest operator in the market, with daily service from JFK year-round.

In late October of this year, the airline plans to upgrade the aircraft operating the route from the 767-300ER to the A330-900neo, which seats 281 passengers. The change will add nearly 1,000 seats per week, representing a capacity increase of 30 per cent between Kotoka International Airport (ACC) and JFK.

Flights from Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) to O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB) serving Johannesburg and Cape Town International Airport (CPT) in South Africa will also see fleet upgrades as Delta is preparing to introduce a “higher-premium” version of its A350-900, designated by the code “35H.”

The cabin configuration on the aircraft provides an additional eight Delta One Suites compared to the standard configuration, bringing the total number of suites to 40.