Delta Air Lines is reducing parts of its domestic network, including discontinuing its Atlanta–Santa Barbara route. According to aviation schedule data, the final Atlanta-to-Santa Barbara flight will operate on January 19, followed by the last return flight to Atlanta on January 20, Simple Flying reported. The route has already been removed from Delta’s booking platforms.
Delta is also cutting its Salt Lake City-Fairbanks route, which operated seasonally and was originally scheduled to resume in June 2026, according to The Points Guy. The airline ended the route due to performance issues. Travelers will still be able to reach Fairbanks through other Delta hubs.
Santa Barbara Loses Its Longest-Ever Direct Route
Delta launched the Atlanta–Santa Barbara service in June 2024 as part of a leisure-focused expansion, Edhat reported on June 11, 2024. At 1,757 nautical miles, it became Santa Barbara’s longest commercial route, according to Simple Flying.
All flights on the route were operated with the 130-seat Airbus A220-300, one of Delta’s smallest mainline aircraft.
In the 12 months ending June 2025, Delta carried 75,500 passengers on the route and filled 81% of available seats, according to Simple Flying. This was Delta’s second-lowest load factor among its California routes from Atlanta.
Delta will reportedly continue offering its direct service from Santa Barbara to Salt Lake City, operated by Delta Connection partner SkyWest Airlines.
Delta Air Lines reported $61.8 billion in operating revenue in 2024, the highest among U.S. carriers for the third consecutive year, according to the Department of Transportation, aviation facts and figures.
Atlanta remains the busiest departure point in the U.S., with nonstop flights increasing from 377,573 in 2023 to 387,361 in 2024, a 2.59% rise, according to DOT, aviation facts and figures.
Santa Barbara has also recorded a total of 8,445 domestic departures in 2024, showing consistent activity of flights at the regional level.
Santa Barbara Airport
Santa Barbara Airport served about 1.2 million passengers in 2022, leading California’s post-pandemic commercial service recovery. Airlines serving SBA include American Airlines, Alaska Airlines, Southwest Airlines, and United Airlines.
Delta Airlines
Delta airline is committed to reducing its environmental impact, aiming for Net-Zero carbon emissions by 2050 and exploring new ways to cut waste and support circular practices. Delta also works to reflect the diversity of the world it serves by promoting equity and inclusion. Beyond aviation, they invests in the communities that support environmental efforts, education, wellness, and opportunities for underserved groups.
