These Major Airlines Cancel Routes Amid Rising Jet Fuel Costs

Earlier this month, Spirit Airlines – a Florida based, discount passenger carrier – shut down operations in the face of long-standing financial challenges. The decade’s old company, which employed 14,000 people and served 89 destinations across 16 countries, had not been profitable for over five years and had filed for bankruptcy most recently in August 2025. The company attributed the grounding of its fleet to “recent geopolitical events resulted in a massive and sustained increase in fuel prices.”

Since the start of the war in Iran, jet fuel prices have surged by over 50% – and jet fuel is one of the biggest line items on airline balance sheets. According to a statement from American Airlines, for every penny the price of jet fuel rises, annual airline expenses go up by $50 million. The recent price spike is linked to the ongoing conflict between the U.S. and the Islamic Republic, and the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz – a key shipping route for about 20% of the world’s oil. 

While Spirit is the first major U.S. based airline to be driven out of business by financial challenges in a quarter century, other names in commercial aviation are also making changes in the face of rising operational costs. These adjustments include higher ticket prices and bag fees, reduced flight volume, and, in some cases, suspension of routes between major hubs. 

Using data compiled by multiple media outlets, Climate Crisis 247 identified the routes airlines are slashing amid rising jet fuel prices. Only airlines headquartered in North America were considered. This list is not exhaustive. Suspended routes are listed in chronological order based on when they take effect. 

The routes on this list serve some of the largest markets in North America, including Houston, New York City, and Toronto. While budget airlines, like Spirit, are reportedly being hit hardest by the surge in jet fuel prices, larger companies are by no means immune. Most of the suspended routes on this list have been announced by Delta, an Atlanta-based carrier that ranks as the largest airline in the world by annual revenue. According to the Wall Street Journal, Delta’s fuel costs are projected to rise by $2 billion this quarter alone. 

11. Delta: Detroit, Michigan to Reykjavík, Iceland

• Route suspension dates: May 7, 2026 to July 6, 2026
• Departure airport: Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW)
• Arrival airport: Keflavík International Airport (KEF)

10. Delta: New York City to Houston, Texas

• Route suspension dates: June 7, 2026 to September 8, 2026
• Departure airport: John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK)
• Arrival airport: George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH)

9. Delta: New York City to Memphis, Tennessee

• Route suspension dates: June 7, 2026 to September 8, 2026
• Departure airport: John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK)
• Arrival airport: Memphis International Airport (MEM)

8. Delta: New York City to St. Louis, Missouri

• Route suspension dates: June 7, 2026 to September 8, 2026
• Departure airport: John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK)
• Arrival airport: St. Louis Lambert International Airport (STL)

7. Delta: Raleigh, North Carolina to Las Vegas, Nevada

• Route suspension dates: June 2, 2026 to September 9, 2026
• Departure airport: Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU)
• Arrival airport: Harry Reid International Airport (LAS)

6. Delta: Seattle, Washington to Cancun, Mexico

• Route suspension dates: June 2, 2026 to November 8, 2026
• Departure airport: Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA)
• Arrival airport: Cancun International Airport (CUN)

5. Air Canada: Montreal, Canada to New York City

• Route suspension dates: June 1, 2026 to October 24, 2026
• Departure airport: Montreal Trudeau International Airport (YUL)
• Arrival airport: John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK)

4. Air Canada: Toronto, Canada to New York City

• Route suspension dates: June 1, 2026 to October 24, 2026
• Departure airport: Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ)
• Arrival airport: John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK)

3. Delta: Detroit, Michigan to Sacramento, California

• Route suspension dates: June 1, 2026 to March 7, 2027
• Departure airport: Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW)
• Arrival airport: Sacramento International Airport (SMF)

2. Delta: Boston, Massachusetts to Nassau, The Bahamas

• Route suspension dates: July 18, 2026 to September 5, 2026
• Departure airport: Boston Logan International Airport (BOS)
• Arrival airport: Lynden Pindling International Airport (NAS)

1. Air Canada: Toronto, Canada to Salt Lake City, Utah

• Route suspension dates: July 16, 2026 to 2027
• Departure airport: Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ)
• Arrival airport: Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC)