Delta Announces Schedule for service to Boston, Miami from London Heathrow
LONDON, 17 November 2010 –Delta Air Lines (NYSE:DAL) in co-operation with its Trans-Atlantic joint venture partners Air France KLM and Alitalia today announced the flight schedules for the recently approved daily, year-round flights between London’s Heathrow and Boston and Miami international airports starting on 27 March 2011. Delta applied for the rights to serve Boston and Miami from Heathrow earlier this year as part of a divestiture of slots required following the U.S. and E.U. governments’ approval of an immunized alliance between American Airlines and British Airways.
“International business travel demand is the underpinning of the global economic recovery,” said Glen Hauenstein, Delta’s executive vice president – Network Planning, Revenue Management and Marketing. “With double-digit revenue growth in most every international business market over the last year, our 2011 schedule reflects a measured response to business customers’ desire for increased access to the world’s most important business capitals. New flights to London’s Heathrow Airport and increased flights to our international alliance partners’ gateways at Paris Charles de Gaulle, Amsterdam Schiphol and Guangzhou are cornerstones of our international plan for 2011.”
Delta began serving Heathrow in March 2008 following the conclusion of an Open Skies agreement between the U.S. and the E.U. that eliminated decades-old restrictions on the number of U.S. airlines allowed to serve the market. With these additions, Delta will operate 10 daily nonstop services from London Heathrow to the United States including three daily flights to New York-JFK; two peak-day flights to Atlanta and Detroit; and one daily flight to Minneapolis/St. Paul.
The new and expanded service will be operated with a mix of aircraft that reflect Delta’s investment of $2 billion in enhanced airport facilities and global products and services through 2013. When complete, Delta will offer full flat-bed seats on more than 100 trans-oceanic aircraft, including all Boeing 777s, 767s and 747s, and will feature personal, in-seat entertainment for both BusinessElite and Economy class customers on all widebody flights.
Delta flights are available for booking via travel agents, calling 0871 22 11 222 or online at www.delta.com or www.airfrance.com.
With nearly 250 daily trans-Atlantic flights and a fleet of 144 aircraft, the joint venture between Air France-KLM, Alitalia and Delta Air Lines provides customers with the benefits of a vast route network offering more frequencies, competitive fares and harmonized services on all trans-Atlantic flights. The JV network is structured around seven main hubs: Amsterdam, Atlanta, Detroit, Minneapolis, New York-JFK, Paris-CDG and Rome Fiumicino, together with Cincinnati, Lyon, Milan, Memphis and Salt Lake City. The JV offers customers access to 300 destinations beyond the 26 North American gateways and 200 destinations beyond the 33 European gateways throughout Europe, Asia and Latin America. The JV represents 27% of total trans-Atlantic capacity and generates $10 billion in annual revenues. Under the terms of this agreement, the partners jointly operate their trans-Atlantic routes, thereby sharing revenues and costs. For more information on Air France-KLM, Alitalia or Delta go to the respective corporate websites.
About Delta
Delta Air Lines serves more than 160 million customers each year. With an industry-leading global network, Delta and the Delta Connection carriers offer service to 348 destinations in 64 countries on six continents. Headquartered in Atlanta, Delta employs more than 75,000 employees worldwide and operates a mainline fleet of more than 700 aircraft. A founding member of the SkyTeam global alliance, Delta participates in the industry’s leading trans-Atlantic joint venture with Air France-KLM and Alitalia. Including its worldwide alliance partners, Delta offers customers more than 13,000 daily flights, with hubs in Amsterdam, Atlanta, Cincinnati, Detroit, Memphis, Minneapolis-St. Paul, New York-JFK, Paris-Charles de Gaulle, Salt Lake City and Tokyo-Narita. The airline’s service includes the SkyMiles frequent flier program, the world’s largest airline loyalty program; the award-winning BusinessElite service; and more than 50 Delta Sky Clubs in airports worldwide. Customers can check in for flights, print boarding passes, check bags and review flight status at delta.com.
CONTACT: Delta Corporate Communications
+44 208 867 6295