Stay Curious. Stay Connected.
MailNewsletters♡Donate Now
Sign up
*Password must be at least 8 characters and contain one uppercase letter, one lowercase letter, one number and one symbol.
Already have an account?
By submitting, you consent that you are at least 18 years of age and to receive information about MPR's or APMG entities' programs and offerings. The personally identifying information you provide will not be sold, shared, or used for purposes other than to communicate with you about MPR, APMG entities, and its sponsors. You may opt-out at any time clicking the unsubscribe link at the bottom of any email communication. View our Privacy Policy.
Sign in to your profile
Forgot Password?
New to MPR News?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Reset Password

Enter the username on file and we'll send you a code to reset your password.

Still require assistance or not sure what your User Name is?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Email Verification

A verification code has been emailed to

Still awaiting the code?
Martin Moylan
St. Paul, Minn.

Delta to offer flights from Rochester

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Log inCreate a free Account

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Show me!

People who live near Rochester will soon be able to board an airplane close to home now that Delta Air Lines has decided to offer daily non-stop flights to Atlanta and Detroit.

The new Delta flights, which start Sept. 14, will provide Rochester with direct service to the three largest hub airports in the airline's network, including the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport.

Delta will offer one flight a day from Rochester to Atlanta and Detroit. The change will mark the first time Rochester has had direct, non-stop service to Atlanta. It also restores non-stop service to Detroit, which ended in 2011.

All flights will be on regional jets. Half of the planes will have first-class seats.

In addition, Delta passengers in about 225 cities in the United States and abroad will be able to reach Rochester with just one stop.

The Mayo Clinic expects to get a boost from an upgrade in the city's air service.

Patients coming from a great distance prefer to fly into Rochester rather than driving down from the Twin Cities, said Mayo spokesman Dr. John Wald. "To be able to fly into an area, especially if you're sick or injured, and to have a 15-minutes drive, as opposed to an hour and fifteen minute drive, it really is valuable."

The air travel upgrade will also help the clinic recruit physicians and make it easier for staff to reach distant destinations, he added.

The Rochester airport served about 220,000 passengers last year. Rochester also has direct flights to Chicago on American Airlines.