Delta Adds Pair of Nonstop Flights to Phoenix

A ticket to see the Buckeyes play in the national championship game Jan. 8 in suburban Phoenix: $1,200. Airfare: $1,000, give or take. Being able to get there with no connecting flights: Priceless. Delta Airlines said yesterday it was responding to customer demand, announcing the addition of two special nonstop flights from Columbus to Phoenix on Jan. 6, and two from Phoenix to Columbus on Jan. 9.

Delta, the biggest carrier at Port Columbus in terms of flights and No. 2 in passenger volume, does not usually fly nonstop between the two cities.

"We're thrilled to support the overwhelming request from our customers for convenient nonstop service to the BCS championship game," Bob Cortelyou, Delta's vice president of network planning, said in a statement.

David Whitaker, vice president of business development for Port Columbus, said Delta's move is in line with a significant increase in additional regularly scheduled and charter flights that crop up around bowl-game time in Columbus.

Southwest also added flights for this and other such occasions in the past, for example, and more than 50 charter flights were added to shuttle fans to the national championship game in 2002.

Seats are hard to come by on Jan. 6 and 9 flights on the two airlines that offer regular nonstop flights to Phoenix. As of yesterday afternoon, Southwest's nonstop flights on those days were sold out except for a handful of seats at the highest fare class, which translates to $658 roundtrip before taxes and fees. US Airways' two nonstop flights on those days were sold out in coach class for all but a late-afternoon flight on Jan. 9, meaning a roundtrip fare of at least $1,200.

Travelers who can leave Phoenix on Jan. 10 and make a stop along the way might be able to reduce the cost of a ticket on Southwest by more than $200 if they book quickly.

Delta's roundtrip coach fare yesterday was listed at $973, before taxes and fees. Seats were available on all four inbound and outbound flights.

Now, if you can only find a hotel room.

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