In a new leadership shuffle, JetBlue's former head of revenue and planning will be moving to Atlanta-based Delta Air Lines. Scott Laurence, one of the key figures who worked on the Northeast Alliance between American Airlines and JetBlue, will be moving to the role of Vice President - Network Planning at Delta Air Lines.

Scott Laurence joins Delta Air Lines

On Monday, Delta Air Lines announced Scott Laurence would take on the role of Vice President - Network Planning beginning on January 18th. He will focus on strengthening Delta's global network and joint venture partnerships in this new role. He will report to Joe Esposito, Delta's Senior Vice President of Network Planning.

On Mr. Laurence's appointment, Mr. Esposito stated the following:

"Scott is well-positioned and brings a tremendous wealth of experience to build on Delta's leading global network. Combined with his innovative, strategic mindset and a spirit of servant leadership, he is a great fit for the Delta team." 

The Vice President - Network Planning is a new role for Delta. Mr. Laurence is not backfilling the position and will instead be furthering Delta's network goals and strengthening the carrier's position.

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Delta Air Lines is a major operator at Boston Logan. Photo: Getty Images

Laurence comes from JetBlue

The most recent role Mr. Laurence held was at New York-based JetBlue Airways. Laurence has been with JetBlue for 14 years. Before that, he served in revenue management and network strategy roles at United Airlines in the aftermath of 9/11.

Since 2019, he has served as JetBlue's head of revenue and planning. In this role, he "spearheaded and executed the strategic partnership between JetBlue and American Airlines," called the Northeast Alliance (NEA). The NEA was designed to create a viable, third global competitor in the Northeast to counter the large presence Delta Air Lines and United Airlines have in New York and Delta's growing presence in Boston.

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The 16 authorizations at Newark will go to a single airline, and there are plenty of contenders. Photo: Getty Images

Replacing Mr. Laurence at JetBlue is Dave Clark. Mr. Clark has served as vice president, sales and revenue management at JetBlue since 2017. He previously has also served as vice president of network planning and has been with JetBlue since 2009.

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A new asset as Delta pursues its network strategy

While Delta Air Lines is betting that its premium products will support it winning in New York and Boston, much of that success depends on whether or not travelers find utility in the network Delta offers. As American and JetBlue plot their strategy moving forward, Mr. Laurence will bring to Delta a deep working knowledge of these markets and some new insight that could help propel Delta's network strategy even further.

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Delta Air Lines will focus much of its long-haul international network around transatlantic service this summer. Photo: Getty Images

Delta and JetBlue do have plenty of differences. Delta has a more premium-oriented positioning and operates far more long-haul international services than JetBlue does. Nevertheless, Mr. Laurence's expertise in the Northeast markets will be a significant asset as Delta plans its next steps in the increasingly competitive markets.

Delta has already brought back a significant share of its Boston and New York network, as well as grown to add some new links. However, Delta will likely be looking at some more destinations and building up its schedules to remain competitive while continuing to focus on its customer base. Delta is also paying some more attention to its international network, and New York and Boston are likely to benefit from new points. In short, the value Mr. Laurence brings cannot be understated, and Delta looks set to up the competition in the long run.