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New seating to be installed on more than 800 mainline and two-class regional jet aircraft

ATLANTA, Oct. 20, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — Delta Air Lines (NYSE:DAL) today unveiled another major investment in its product offering with plans to introduce “Economy Comfort” – a premium economy cabin product launched on long-haul international flights earlier this year – to its entire mainline fleet of more than 550 aircraft, in addition to more than 250 two-class regional jets.

“Our goal is to make sure premium customers are sitting in premium seats,” said Richard Anderson, Delta’s chief executive officer. “Delta already offers more First Class seats than any other U.S. airline and by expanding Economy Comfort we’ll offer customers even more opportunities to select a premium seat.”

The new seats will feature pitch of at least 34 inches or more. Delta’s standard Economy Class seat pitch is currently 31 inches. In addition to more leg room, customers seated in Economy Comfort will enjoy Priority Boarding.

The product will be installed in the first three-to-five rows of the Economy cabin by removing a negligible number of seats from the current cabin configuration on all of Delta’s domestic Boeing 767, 757, 737, MD88, MD90, DC9, Airbus A320 and A319 aircraft, and all two-class regional jets including the CRJ900, CRJ700, E170 and E175 aircraft types by summer 2012. The breadth of this installation means flights to Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, Central and northern South America will also offer the Economy Comfort product. The first of these converted aircraft will be a Boeing 757 which will enter service in November.

The expansion of Economy Comfort is the latest in Delta’s previously announced plan to invest more than $2 billion in enhanced global products, services and airport facilities through 2013. In addition to Economy Comfort, Delta is adding more First Class seats and in-flight entertainment to its domestic product; offering flat-bed BusinessElite seats on its entire international widebody fleet; adding personal, in-seat entertainment for both BusinessElite and Economy class customers on all long-haul international flights; adding in-flight Wi-Fi service to all domestic two-class aircraft, including regional jets, with a First and Economy class cabin; updating Delta Sky Clubs throughout the system; and building new terminal facilities for international customers at its two largest global gateways – Atlanta and New York-JFK.

Customers who have purchased an Economy ticket on Delta will be able to choose Economy Comfort seats for an additional introductory fee of $19-$99 on a one-way itinerary including Alaska, Hawaii and short-haul international markets. Economy Comfort seats can be reserved through delta.com, kiosks, and Delta reservations beginning in late spring for travel in summer 2012.

Similar to Delta’s long-haul international Economy Comfort product, complimentary access to domestic and short-haul international seats will be available at booking to all SkyMiles Diamond and Platinum Medallions and customers purchasing full-fare Economy class tickets. Gold Medallion members will also have free access to these seats at time of booking, while Silver Medallions can purchase them at a 50 percent discount off the fee at time of purchase or can access these seats for free at check-in.

SOURCE Delta Air Lines

ATLANTA, Oct. 10, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — Delta Air Lines today introduces the Luxury Bar to the award-winning Delta Sky Clubs, allowing customers to purchase ultra-premium spirits, wine and custom-designed cocktails, in addition to the complimentary wine and cocktails already offered in the clubs.

“Our customers are thrilled with the new updated design of the refurbished Delta Sky Clubs and the opportunity to purchase upgraded spirits and wine aligns perfectly with the recent changes we’ve made,” said Wayne Aaron, Delta’s vice president – Marketing Programs and Distribution Strategy. “During the last several weeks, we’ve quietly introduced the program in select clubs and the feedback we’ve received in those clubs strongly indicates this new program is going to be a hit with customers.”

Delta has partnered with Diageo, the world’s leading premium drinks provider, which oversees a robust collection of beverage alcohol brands. The Delta Sky Club Luxury Bar will offer Diageo’s complete portfolio of Reserve spirits, including a selection of cocktails specially designed for Delta Sky Clubs. The Luxury Bar approach implements experiential elements as well as the finest spirits to the Delta Sky Clubs, in an effort to provide the highly-prized business traveler an all around enhanced experience.

“It’s an amazing partnership and we are thrilled to be showcasing our Luxury Bar portfolio in the Delta Sky Clubs. Our goal is to provide travelers an innovative and unique experience,” said Jeff Parrott, director – Marketing Capabilities, Diageo. “In addition to the product customers will see in the Delta Sky Clubs, Diageo will host additional events throughout the year specifically designed for the Delta customer, such as cocktail master classes with Brand Ambassadors, educational sessions and tastings on the different brands.”

Luxury Bar spirit offerings will include: Ciroc, Ketel One and Godiva vodkas; Tanqueray Ten gin; Don Julio, Jose Cuervo tequilas; Bulleit and George Dickel American whisky; Bushmills Irish whisky; a multitude of single malt scotches including Caollla 12, Clynelsih 14, Cragganmore 12, Dalwhinnie 15, Glenkinchie 12, Lagavulin 16, Oban 14 and Talisker 18; Crown Royal, Canadian Whiskey and Johnnie Walker blended scotches; Zacapa rum and many premium liqueurs.

The Luxury Bar wine selection has been carefully hand-chosen for the Delta Sky Clubs. Wines include: Stellina di Notte Pinot Grigio, Chalone Vineyard, Chardonnay, Acacia, Pinot Noir and Beaulieu Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon.

In addition to the Diageo reserve portfolio, the Delta Sky Clubs will also present the world’s leading Champagnes, Moet and Chandon Imperial and Dom Perignon Brut.

SodexoMAGIC has been hired to provide the management and staff for the new Luxury Bar, as well as oversee the complimentary food program and guest services in 34 Delta Sky Club locations. The Luxury Bar will be managed by a professional bartending staff hand selected for their industry knowledge and customer service skills and, will receive custom mixology training by Diageo.

“SodexoMAGIC will deliver a winning combination of operational expertise and service excellence,” said Earvin “Magic” Johnson, Jr., Chairman and CEO of SodexoMAGIC, LLC. “Our unsurpassed ability to manage and enhance unique environments will positively impact the Delta Sky Clubs’ customer experience.”

The Luxury Bar will roll out to all domestic Delta Sky Clubs with a full-service bar* by the end of the year, and will mirror Delta’s onboard policy of accepting credit and debit cards.

In the last year, Delta has unveiled nine renovated or new clubs across the Delta system, all featuring the new Delta Sky Club design. The new design includes a fully stocked bar  with complimentary beverages and snacks throughout the day; art featuring aerial landscapes of the region; personalized flight assistance; updated restrooms; satellite television and a work zone complete with complementary Wi-Fi, cyber counters with power outlets, desktop computers, wireless printers and additional charging stations. All clubs throughout the system have been touched with specific updates in the last two years.

Details regarding Delta Sky Club memberships, including the new, flexible Delta Sky Club Payment Plan are available online at delta.com/skyclub.

Delta’s Sky Club investments are the latest in the airline’s previously announced plan to invest more than $2 billion in enhanced global products, services and airport facilities through 2013.  In addition to improving Delta Sky Clubs and upgrading its domestic fleet, Delta will offer full flat-bed seats on more than 140 widebody aircraft, feature personal, in-seat entertainment for both BusinessElite and Economy class customers on all widebody flights, and complete new terminal facilities for international customers at its two largest global gateways — Atlanta and New York-JFK. All Delta Sky Club rules apply to Delta Sky Club membership and use. More information is available at delta.com/skyclub.

* The Delta Sky Club at Portland International Airport will not have a Luxury Bar

SOURCE Delta Air Lines

ATLANTA and TEMPE, Ariz., Oct. 13, 2011 – Delta Air Lines (NYSE: DAL) and US Airways (NYSE: LCC) welcome the decision by the Department of Transportation on Oct. 10 to approve the proposed slot transaction at New York-LaGuardia and Washington-Reagan National airports, subject to certain conditions. The DOT’s final order represents a clear recognition by the Obama Administration that the slot transaction is in the public interest because of the service benefits and efficiencies that would result in both New York and Washington, D.C.

“We want to thank DOT and the FAA for their final approval of the slot transaction, which will enhance competition, create new jobs, reduce air space congestion in New York City and greatly increase travel choices for our customers in New York,” said Richard Anderson, Delta’s chief executive officer. “We agree with the DOT that the slot transaction has significant consumer benefits in both New York and Washington, D.C., and look forward to implementing our agreement with US Airways and rolling out our expanded LaGuardia schedule next year. We also look forward to bringing substantial new construction and service jobs to New York as facilities are expanded and modernized to create a Delta hub operation.”

“We want to thank DOT Secretary Ray LaHood, FAA Administrator Randy Babbitt, and their teams, and applaud their hard work over the past two plus years. We appreciate their willingness to view the overall, indivisible benefits of the transaction to both Washington, D.C., and New York after a thorough review,” said US Airways Chairman and CEO Doug Parker. “The decision of DOT and FAA is a great example of the regulatory process working to the benefit of consumers by promoting competition and expanding consumer choice, fostering economic development and creating jobs in both Washington, D.C., and New York. We look forward to the opportunity to better serve our existing and new customers in the Washington region and small and medium-sized communities around the eastern United States.”

On May 23, Delta and US Airways announced a new agreement to transfer takeoff and landing rights at New York’s LaGuardia and Washington D.C.’s Reagan National airports, which will enable the carriers to expand service and increase competition at two of the nation’s key cities, and provide the opportunity for additional access to LaGuardia and Reagan National for new entrants and airlines with a limited presence at the airports.

Under the new agreement, Delta will acquire 132 slot pairs at LaGuardia from US Airways and US Airways will acquire from Delta 42 slot pairs at Reagan National, as well as the rights to operate additional daily service to Sao Paulo, Brazil in 2015. Delta also will pay US Airways $66.5 million in cash. In addition, the airlines will divest 16 slot pairs at LaGuardia and eight slot pairs at Reagan National to airlines with limited or no service at those airports.

A slot pair is the authority to operate one takeoff and one landing.

About US Airways

Oct 20, 2011

ATLANTA, Oct. 20, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — Delta Air Lines (NYSE: DAL) today unveiled another major investment in its product offering with plans to introduce “Economy Comfort” – a premium economy cabin product launched on long-haul international flights earlier this year – to its entire mainline fleet of more than 550 aircraft, in addition to more than 250 two-class regional jets.

“Our goal is to make sure premium customers are sitting in premium seats,” said Richard Anderson, Delta’s chief executive officer. “Delta already offers more First Class seats than any other U.S. airline and by expanding Economy Comfort we’ll offer customers even more opportunities to select a premium seat.”

The new seats will feature pitch of at least 34 inches or more. Delta’s standard Economy Class seat pitch is currently 31 inches. In addition to more leg room, customers seated in Economy Comfort will enjoy Priority Boarding.

The product will be installed in the first three-to-five rows of the Economy cabin by removing a negligible number of seats from the current cabin configuration on all of Delta’s domestic Boeing 767, 757, 737, MD88, MD90, DC9, Airbus A320 and A319 aircraft, and all two-class regional jets including the CRJ900, CRJ700, E170 and E175 aircraft types by summer 2012. The breadth of this installation means flights to Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, Central and northern South America will also offer the Economy Comfort product. The first of these converted aircraft will be a Boeing 757 which will enter service in November.

The expansion of Economy Comfort is the latest in Delta’s previously announced plan to invest more than $2 billion in enhanced global products, services and airport facilities through 2013. In addition to Economy Comfort, Delta is adding more First Class seats and in-flight entertainment to its domestic product; offering flat-bed BusinessElite seats on its entire international widebody fleet; adding personal, in-seat entertainment for both BusinessElite and Economy class customers on all long-haul international flights; adding in-flight Wi-Fi service to all domestic two-class aircraft, including regional jets, with a First and Economy class cabin; updating Delta Sky Clubs throughout the system; and building new terminal facilities for international customers at its two largest global gateways – Atlanta and New York-JFK.

Customers who have purchased an Economy ticket on Delta will be able to choose Economy Comfort seats for an additional introductory fee of $19-$99 on a one-way itinerary including Alaska, Hawaii and short-haul international markets. Economy Comfort seats can be reserved through delta.com, kiosks, and Delta reservations beginning in late spring for travel in summer 2012.

Similar to Delta’s long-haul international Economy Comfort product, complimentary access to domestic and short-haul international seats will be available at booking to all SkyMiles Diamond and Platinum Medallions and customers purchasing full-fare Economy class tickets. Gold Medallion members will also have free access to these seats at time of booking, while Silver Medallions can purchase them at a 50 percent discount off the fee at time of purchase or can access these seats for free at check-in.

May 25, 2011

ATLANTA, May 25, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — Delta Air Lines (NYSE: DAL) will welcome more than 45 million passengers this summer with product enhancements, new customer service features, operational updates and other visible signs of Delta’s more than $2 billion investment in the customer experience through 2013.

“Delta is focused on building a better experience for customers from the time they book a flight to the time they arrive at their destination,” said Glen Hauenstein, executive vice president – Network Planning and Revenue Management. “We’ve made a lot of progress in the last year and continue to make flying Delta more convenient and comfortable.”

New enhancements since last summer include:

• Full flat-bed seats on more than 25 percent of international flights including all 777 and 767-400 aircraft. All Delta transoceanic flights will offer full flat-bed seats in BusinessElite by 2013.
• New Economy Comfort class offering additional legroom and recline starting June 1 on more than 160 Delta Boeing 747, 757, 767, 777 and Airbus A330 aircraft. Located in the first few rows of the economy cabin, Economy Comfort will feature up to four additional inches of legroom, 50 percent more recline than Delta’s standard international economy class seats, and early boarding.
• Approximately 2,000 more premium seats with the addition of First Class on Delta’s 228 dual-class regional aircraft. No other airline offers more first class seating.
• Two new Delta Sky Club lounges in Indianapolis and Philadelphia and four renovated Sky Clubs in New York-LaGuardia, Los Angeles, Minneapolis/St. Paul and Atlanta (Concourse B), with additional new and renovated clubs scheduled to open later this summer in Atlanta (Concourses A and D) and Seattle.
• The first online baggage tracking capabilities for airline customers.
• Wi-Fi availability on every domestic mainline flight, totaling 2,200 flights daily. Delta also will offer Wi-Fi on its entire dual-class regional fleet of 228 aircraft by the end of 2011.
• More than 8,100 new power outlets available at Delta recharging stations throughout more than a dozen U.S. airports featuring 110-volt and USB charging capabilities.
• Mobile apps for the iPhone, BlackBerry and Android that let customers check in, view flight status, review SkyMiles account balance, access their boarding passes, view flight schedules, get airport information, check the weather, rebook their flight and even store their airport parking location.
• 24-hour online customer support through @DeltaAssist via Twitter.
• A newly designed, more intuitive delta.com experience. Delta’s website was recently named Best of the Web for performance and reliability by Compuware Gomez.

Delta‘s ongoing investment in enhancing the customer experience includes work underway on Delta’s new Terminal 4 at New York-JFK, opening in 2013, and the new Maynard H. Jackson Jr. International Terminal in Atlanta, opening in 2012. Pending government approval of an agreement between Delta and US Airways to transfer takeoff and landing rights at New York’s LaGuardia and Washington D.C.’s Reagan National airports, Delta also will spend up to $117 million to expand, renovate and consolidate terminals C and D at LaGuardia over the next two years.

http://www.marketwatch.com reports Delta says transatlantic fares will rise this summer.  Delta  also will reportedly reduce capacity in the fall to maintain higher prices.

“Year to date, U.S. airlines have raised airfares 17 times in an attempt to match climbing fuel prices, but the industry continues to fall behind the cost increase.”

www.sfgate.com reports Delta will cut Memphis departures by 25 percent, as part of a 4 percent reduction in Delta’s planned worldwide flying this year

Rewards for small- and medium-size companies include tickets, upgrades, airport lounge memberships.

AMSTERDAM, ATLANTA, PARIS and ROME, March 1, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — Delta Air Lines (NYSE: DAL), Air France, KLM and Alitalia today reached another significant milestone as trans-Atlantic joint-venture partners as they launched SkyBonus as the official corporate loyalty program for small and medium-size companies in North America, including Canada, the United States and Mexico.

The new SkyBonus program in North America provides small and medium size businesses the ability to turn their travel budget into travel rewards by converting the dollars spent on Delta, Air France, KLM or Alitalia into SkyBonus points. Rewards include travel and upgrades on Delta, Air France, KLM and Alitalia; Silver Medallion status in the SkyMiles program; Delta Sky Club memberships and passes; and more. And while companies earn SkyBonus points, their travelers can still earn miles in Delta’s SkyMiles, Air France-KLM’s Flying Blue, or Alitalia’s MilleMiglia frequent flyer programs.

SkyBonus rewards are transferable to allow use by employees, friends or loyal clients.

“Adding an integrated program like SkyBonus to our joint venture portfolio in North America continues to enhance the one-stop shop model that this relationship brings,” said Steve Sear, Delta’s vice president for Global Sales. “Members will now have better earning opportunities and more reward options in all four airlines.”

To celebrate this launch, all SkyBonus members traveling on a transatlantic flight on any of the four participating carriers during the month of March will receive double points credit. Members must log-in to their online account, click on the promotions link and register for the transatlantic double points promotion. Terms and conditions apply.*

Last December, Air France announced that no new enrollments would be accepted in their North American VoyageurREWARDS™ small business program and they would begin participation in the SkyBonus program along with KLM and Alitalia. The SkyBonus program originated in the United States in 2001 as an exclusive Delta benefit for small- and medium-sized businesses. Since that time, SkyBonus has expanded to more than 45 countries around the world.

Thursday, February 17, 2011
The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) today assessed a civil penalty of $2 million against Delta Air Lines for violating rules protecting air travelers with disabilities.

This civil penalty is the largest penalty ever assessed against an airline by the Department of Transportation in a non-safety-related case.

“Ensuring that passengers with disabilities receive fair treatment when they fly is a priority for the Department of Transportation,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. “We take our aviation disability rules seriously and will continue to enforce them vigorously.”

The DOT requires airlines to provide assistance to passengers with disabilities while boarding and deplaning aircraft, including the use of wheelchairs, ramps, mechanical lifts and service personnel where needed. Carriers also must respond within 30 days to written complaints about their treatment of disabled passengers, and specifically address the issues raised in the complaints. In addition, airlines must properly code and record their disability-related complaints in connection with required reporting to the Department.

An investigation by the Department of Transportation’s Aviation Enforcement Office of disability complaints filed with Delta and DOT revealed many violations of the requirement to provide assistance getting on and off the airplane. The carrier’s complaint files also showed that it frequently did not provide an adequate written response to disability complaints from passengers. The Aviation Enforcement Office further found that Delta also failed to properly report each disability complaint in reports filed with the Department.

Of the of $2 million penalty, $750,000 must be paid by the carrier and up to $1,250,000 may be used to improve its service to passengers with disabilities beyond what is required by law. Delta may target up to $834,000 of the civil penalty amount toward the development and implementation of an automated wheelchair tracking system at the carrier’s major hub airports. Up to $236,000 may be used toward developing and distributing customer service surveys for passengers with disabilities to rate Delta’s accommodation services and provide specific feedback to the carrier on how it can improve. In addition, up to $150,000 may be used to expand audits of the carrier’s compliance with Air Carrier Access Act rules and for consultation to help improve the quality of Delta’s services to passengers with disabilities at airports and up to $30,000 to enhance its website to improve air travel accessibility. The actual costs of these improvements by Delta will be significantly greater than the credited amounts.
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Relationship Leverages Delta’s Global Network to Continue Seattle Best Coffee’s Mission of “Great Coffee Everywhere”
SEATTLE and ATLANTA, Feb. 8, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — Delta Air Lines (NYSE: DAL) and Seattle’s Best Coffee, part of Starbucks Corporation (Nasdaq: SBUX), today announced a new agreement that will offer Delta customers freshly brewed Seattle’s Best Coffee® onboard all domestic and international Delta and Delta Connection flights beginning March 1, 2011.

For Delta, the move is part of the company’s $2 billion investment in the customer experience on the ground and in the air. For Seattle’s Best, the agreement reflects the next step in its ongoing strategy to broaden the accessibility of its premium coffee through relationships with great brands – from restaurants to the runway.

“A premium customer experience requires premium coffee and Delta is proud to serve Seattle’s Best,” said Tim Mapes, Delta’s senior vice president of Marketing. “During in-flight taste testing, we saw firsthand the passion Delta customers have for coffee and for the role it plays in a superior travel experience.”

In December 2010, Delta customers participated in an in-flight coffee taste test confirming one of its new coffee blends, Level 4, as the coffee to be served onboard. Seattle’s Best Coffee recently launched a radically simplified approach to packaged coffee called The Level System, which ranks coffee from 1 to 5 based on roast intensity.
“As two organizations who care about creating a distinctive premium customer experience, Delta and Seattle’s Best Coffee make a perfect pair,” said Michelle Gass, president, Seattle’s Best Coffee. “Existing Seattle’s Best Coffee fans will be delighted to find their favorite coffee on their next Delta flight, and for those not yet familiar, it is an opportunity for us to introduce our great coffee to Delta’s more than 160 million global travelers each year.”

In recent months, Seattle’s Best Coffee has signed agreements with other well-respected and widely available brands such as Burger King, Subway and AMC Theatres. This diverse distribution network has rapidly expanded since the coffee company reinvigorated its brand in May 2010. With the addition of Delta Air Lines, there are now more than 40,000 places where customers can enjoy a freshly brewed cup of Seattle’s Best Coffee, up from 3,000 in 2009.