Later this year, the world will gain a new shortest Boeing 767-400ER scheduled service. Operated by Delta Air Lines, it will be from Atlanta—where the carrier has 79% of the airport’s movements—to Miami. Cirium Diio data shows the route last had regular 767-400ER flights in 2006.
The 767-400ER is an unpopular but exciting variant. Designed to replace old tri-engine equipment, just 38 aircraft were built. The first flight took place in October 1999. Only Delta and United Airlines use it commercially. Delta’s 21 frames have 238 seats, while United’s 16 aircraft each have 231 seats.
The 767-400ER’s Shortest Flights: October To December
You might wonder about routes from Atlanta to Orlando and Tampa. Schedule analysis shows that Orlando’s remaining scheduled 767-400ER flights for 2025 are down for September 25 and 26, while Tampa last saw the twin-aisle on September 14. Of course, the widebody is likely to return.
This article follows recent examinations of other very short services. For example, on September 8, a new domestic Airbus A350 route, tagged with a long-haul service, was discussed. It is timed at 40 minutes. A few days later, American Eagle’s new shortest flight on the Embraer E175 was explored.
Minimum Block Time: October-December* |
Direction Of Route With The Lowest Block |
Operations** |
---|---|---|
1h 51m |
Atlanta to Miami |
Delta. On October 17 (16:25 departure), then on November 1 (13:41), and daily from November 10 (mainly 09:25, but later 08:25). More on this below |
2h 21m |
Atlanta to New York JFK |
Delta. On October 30 (17:40 departure), then on November 2 (10:30), and daily from November 9 (16:14, but later 15:15) |
2h 37m |
Atlanta to Minneapolis (not in the other direction) |
Delta. October 21 only (23:05 departure) |
3h 30m |
Salt Lake City to Atlanta |
Delta. October 19 only (11:40 departure) |
3h 31m |
Phoenix to Atlanta |
Delta. Only on October 10 (13:16 departure) and October 24 (15:11) |
3h 54m |
Newark to San Juan |
United. Daily (07:55 departure) |
4h 11m |
Los Angeles to Atlanta |
Delta. Daily (the departure time varies between 12:15 and 12:45) |
4h 30m |
Las Vegas to Washington Dulles |
United. Daily from October 26 until December 1 (09:00 departure) |
5h 25m |
Los Angeles to New York JFK |
Delta. Up to five daily flights until October 25. One departure on October 31 (10:00). More on this below |
5h 40m |
Honolulu to Los Angeles |
Delta. October 7 only (13:15 departure) |
* Chocks-off-to-chocks on. The minimum time, even if there’s one departure with it |
** As of September 19, and subject to change. All 767-400ER flights are mentioned, even if they have a higher block time |
Delta’s 767-400ER From Atlanta To Miami
Aside from a couple of one-off flights in various years, the short route—which covers 516 nautical miles (956 km) each way—last had regular 767-400ER flights in July 2006. As such, it will return after 19+ years. Curiously, while Atlanta to Orlando and Fort Lauderdale are among the US’s top 10 markets for passengers, Atlanta to Miami is not.
In the final quarter of 2025, the 767-400ER will be nearly Delta’s only widebody operation from Atlanta to Miami. The exception is the Boeing 767-300ER, which is down to run on October 3 (09:00 departure), October 21 (11:06), and November 1 (15:16). When all aircraft are considered, Delta plans six to 11 daily departures on the route to the South Florida city. Consider the schedule on Saturday, December 20, just before Christmas, with the consequent higher demand.
Atlanta-Miami Departure Times & Equipment: December 20* |
---|
07:25 (A321ceo), 08:25 (767-400ER), 09:46 (A321ceo), 11:00 (A321ceo), 12:45 (757-200), 13:50 (A321ceo), 15:15 (A321ceo), 16:19 (757-200), 18:59 (A321ceo), 20:50 (757-200), 22:59 (757-200) |
* Scheduled as of September 19, and subject to change |
When all the SkyTeam member’s Atlanta routes on December 20 are considered, Miami will be the joint-fourth most-served. Only Orlando (16 daily), Fort Lauderdale (14 daily), and Tampa (12 daily) will see the carrier more frequently. Miami will be tied with Los Angeles and New York LaGuardia.
The 767-400ER Will Stop Flying Between Los Angeles & New York JFK
This obviously critical airport pair has more 767-400ER flights than any other market. The 238-seater has been used on at least a daily basis for the past few years. Up to five daily departures have been on it this year, although a high of seven were available during the coronavirus pandemic, when more aircraft were available from borders being closed.
Delta’s final 767-400ER departure will occur on October 31. DL938 will leave from California at 10:00 and arrive in the Big Apple at 18:45 local time. The variant is not scheduled in the other direction on that date. Thereafter, the 767-300ER, A330-200, and A330-300 will operate. When writing, the 767-400ER is not scheduled to appear on the route in 2026, but the situation is very changeable.