April 20, 2024
BRUNSWICK, Ga. — The first Delta CJR-900 landed Monday morning, marking the beginning of a new era at the Brunswick Golden Isles Airport.
The new jets are larger than the ones Delta had been providing for flights to Atlanta. First-class seating from the Golden Isles was provided for the first time.
John Duncan, the airport’s operations coordinator, said the CJR-900 has 76 seats, including 12 first-class seats, which were sold out for the inaugural flight.
“Sea Island is really driving this,” Duncan said of the demand for first-class seating.
“Once we went to two flights, we’re filling up,” he said.
Delta is currently providing two daily flights to Atlanta, with plans to add a third by this fall, said Rob Burr, executive director of the Glynn County Airport Commission.
“It was on the schedule,” he said. “We’re happy to get it. We’re happy to get the morning flight back.”
A pilot shortage that is plaguing all airlines is the reason a third daily flight hasn’t begun, Burr said.
Scott McQuade, president and CEO of the Golden Isles Convention and Visitors Bureau, said the new first-class service will make an “amazing difference.” Adding the third flight will also be a welcomed improvement in customer service, he said.
“It’s really like night and day,” he said. “It’s an upgrade we’ve waited for a long time.”
The larger jets show the demand for Atlanta flights is growing, McQuade said.
“This is a great thing for the Brunswick airport,” he said. “We’re thrilled to have the aircraft.”
