Delta Air Lines is returning to Monterey Regional Airport (MRY) this December, nearly two decades after it pulled out of the California Central Coast airport. The last time Delta served Monterey was January 2008; the new service begins December 19, timed for the holiday rush.
Two routes are on offer. Delta will fly twice daily nonstop to Los Angeles International (LAX) and once daily to Salt Lake City International (SLC), both operated by Delta Connection Embraer 175 regional jets. That gives Delta links to all but one of its western hubs — Seattle is the exception, and that's because Alaska Airlines already flies the Monterey–Seattle route. Delta isn't uncontested on the LA route either: United already runs Monterey–LAX flights.
For travellers, the real story is convenience. Monterey's tiny airport sits just a few miles from the coast and puts you close to Carmel, Big Sur, Highway 1 and the Monterey County coastline — the Steinbeck country of sardine canneries and sea otters. The alternatives involve long drives: about two hours from San Francisco International or roughly 90 minutes from San Jose. Landing directly in Monterey skips all of that, assuming the fare is reasonable.
A word of caution about the airport itself. MRY has only a small handful of gates, and the compact terminal can feel crowded when a couple of flights depart at once — worth factoring in now that another major carrier is joining American, United, Alaska and the rest. The local tip: arrive a bit early, since the airport has a restaurant outside security and a large observation deck that works well for a pre-flight meal and some planespotting.
Why it matters: this is good news for anyone planning a Central Coast getaway who doesn't want to burn half a day on a highway. Through Delta's LAX and Salt Lake City hubs, travellers across the US — and international arrivals connecting via those gateways — gain a one-stop option straight into the heart of Big Sur country. If you've been putting off a Monterey, Carmel or Highway 1 trip because of the drive, December might be the moment to book.