Delta Air Lines to upgrade all Columbia Regional Airport flights

COLUMBIA — Delta Air Lines is making more room for local travelers on all flights through the Columbia Regional Airport.

Starting April 6, the airline will replace all of its 34-seat Saab prop planes with 50-seat Canadair Regional Jets, according to a news release from the city.

Delta upgraded two Columbia flights to the jets in February, and those flights were immediately selling above the Saab's seating capacity, Public Works spokeswoman Jill Stedem said.

Those were the most popular flights at the time, but the city expects the other flights to sell above the current seating capacity, too.

"We were frequently seeing the Saab plane sell out," Stedem said. "We think this will be an added benefit to local travelers."

In addition to extra seating, the jets should add some comfort due to the bigger size and faster service, she said.

Delta upgraded the service in Columbia due to the customer response to commercial travel and because Delta plans to phase out the Saab fleet, Delta spokeswoman Kristin Bauer said in an e-mail.