A long-standing route comes to an end
Passengers who have relied on Delta Air Lines for a direct connection between Brussels and New York are in for a surprise. After more than three decades, Delta said it will permanently drop its nonstop service from John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) to Brussels, Belgium, from 2026.
The last New York to Brussels flight will leave on January 5, 2026, with the Brussels return running on January 6, 2026. It will then be the first time since 1991—except for a temporary interruption during the COVID-19 pandemic—that the airline will not have a nonstop service on this route.
Why the route is ending
A Delta spokesperson explained the action as a response to shifting customer demand. The airline continued, “Delta apologizes for any inconvenience this change may cause, and impacted customers will be contacted directly.”
Instead of operating the flight from New York, Delta will transfer its Brussels flight to its Atlanta hub. From March 8, 2026, passengers will have the option to travel nonstop from Atlanta to Brussels. According to Delta, this move provides customers with more options via its high-traffic southern hub, which links to numerous U.S. points.
A surprise after recent expansion
The news comes as a surprise. Just last year, Delta unveiled its largest-ever transatlantic summer schedule for 2025, with Brussels among eight top destinations. The airline greeted the launch of its Atlanta-to-Brussels route as an addition to flights from New York, not a replacement.
For frequent business flyers and frequent fliers, including those who had come to depend on a nonstop flight from New York to the capital of Belgium, the cancellation is a substantial difference. While alternative routes remain available via other carriers and Delta affiliates, the convenience of a nonstop flight from JFK will be lost.
Impact on travelers
Brussels is not only the capital of Belgium but also the seat of the European Union headquarters, NATO, and other multinational companies. That makes it a significant target both for government visitors and business visitors.
For visitors, Brussels serves as a gateway to the cultural sites of Belgium, including its medieval towns, chocolate shops, and celebrated beer culture. Losing a nonstop route from New York will bring added travel time and most probably force some travelers to competitors that still offer direct service.
Travelers who reserved past January 2026 will be approached by Delta with rebooking options. Several passengers may need to have a layover through Atlanta or some other European gateway in order to arrive at their destination.
A broader industry trend
The action of Delta is evidence of the relentless transformation of global air transportation. Airlines are continuously updating their networks due to shifting demand, rising operating costs, and intensifying competition. While some routes get cut, new ones get opened or expanded, most notably in the growing transatlantic market.
For example, Delta and its codeshare partners Air France and KLM continue to offer some connections from New York to cities in Europe. The partnership can potentially absorb some of the shock for consumers who still want to reach Brussels, albeit with a layover somewhere in between.
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