Delta is set to launch nonstop service between Memphis International Airport (MEM) and John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) in New York City starting Sept. 8.

However, the Atlanta-based airline plans to make some changes to the route at the beginning of 2026.

Mia Harvey is the media and public relations program manager for Memphis International Airport. She confirmed to The Commercial Appeal on July 16 that Delta will be pausing flights between Memphis and JFK from January through April 2026, with the service scheduled to return in May.

According to Alex Koehlke of Delta's global communications team, the JFK-MEM route will operate from Sept. 8 through Jan. 4. At that point, the route will pause for winter and resume on May 7, 2026. Koehlke said Delta routinely adjusts its schedule throughout the year to best serve customer demand. In the winter, Koehlke noted demand may be lower, which leads to the temporary pause in service of select markets.

Passengers walk in and and out of Concourse B at Memphis International Airport on Monday, August 5, 2024.

"JFK-MEM is a major business route, and one the business community had been asking for," Koehlke said. "This route also connects Memphis to transatlantic travel more easily, another ask from the business community."

The New York City market, which includes JFK, LaGuardia and Newark airports, is Memphis International’s second largest. New York has 352 passengers traveling daily each way between the two cities, according to the airport data. Memphis-Shelby County Airport Authority President and CEO Terry Blue has said the JFK flight is one that MEM had long pursued.

"This route provides our passengers with another choice to one of our busiest markets and a great option for international connections," Blue said.

Delta will use a 76-seat Embraer 175 aircraft for the JFK flight. In addition, Delta will continue to offer nonstop service between Memphis and LaGuardia Airport in New York. American Airlines also offers nonstop flights to New York to LaGuardia Airport.

Corey Davis is the Collierville and Germantown reporter with The Commercial Appeal. He can be reached at [email protected] or 901-293-1610.

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This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Delta to launch new NYC flight at Memphis airport in September, pause it in early 2026