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Delta-Northwest Merger Brings Service Enhancements to International Flights

Posted on: Tuesday, 9 June 2009, 07:00 CDT

Customers in economy class receive complimentary beer, wine, upgraded breakfast

BusinessElite customers enjoy entrees from celebrity chef, wine selections from master sommelier

ATLANTA, June 9 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Customers traveling Delta Air Lines (NYSE: DAL) on international flights now enjoy the same in-flight experience on both Delta and its subsidiary, Northwest Airlines - the latest sign that Delta and Northwest are now one.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20090202/DELTALOGO )

As part of its $500 million investment to integrate the two airlines, Delta this month is standardizing its international offerings available on all long-haul aircraft featuring a BusinessElite cabin (the former "World Business Class" on Northwest aircraft).

For travelers flying in the international economy cabin, that means complimentary beer and wine throughout flights operated by Delta and Northwest. Spirits, including Delta's signature cocktails by Rande Gerber, also are available for $7 each. Additionally, on flights longer than 3,800 miles customers in the economy cabin receive an upgraded hot breakfast.

BusinessElite customers on both Delta- and Northwest-operated flights enjoy signature selections created by Delta's celebrity chef Michelle Bernstein, whose June menu includes Roasted Chicken a l'Orange and Ricotta and Basil Fettuccine. A selection of wines chosen especially for Delta by master sommelier Andrea Robinson also is featured. Other amenities BusinessElite customers already enjoy include an oversized pillow and duvet.

Additional enhancements are planned for the BusinessElite cabin over the coming months, including a new amenity kit featuring products from Greek-based skincare brand, Korres Natural Products. Established in 1996 out of Greece's oldest homeopathic pharmacy, Korres today offers advanced natural formulas that deliver maximum results. Yoghurt Moisturizing Face Cream and Shea Butter Lip Balm Korres products will be offered exclusively in Delta's onboard kits. Korres Basil Lemon Hand Lotion and Hand Soap will be available in lavatories on all Delta- and Northwest-operated flights later this year.

"June marks another major milestone in our merger with Northwest as we introduce high-quality products on board Delta and Northwest aircraft operating internationally," said Joanne Smith, senior vice president of In-Flight Service. "We continue to bring together the best of both airlines to create one best-in-class experience for customers traveling with us worldwide."

In late March, Delta combined products for customers traveling on all Delta- and Northwest-operated domestic flights to include expanded first and economy class food offerings, Rande Gerber signature cocktails, in-flight entertainment, and the new Sky in-flight magazine, which was introduced on April 1.

Seven-month Merger Milestones

Integration of international onboard products builds on merger milestones completed since the closing of the Delta-Northwest merger on Oct. 29, 2008, including:

• Painting more than 80 Northwest aircraft into Delta's livery and rebranding more than 175 airports worldwide;

• Adding Delta's code to more than 90 percent of all Northwest flights, creating thousands of additional connecting opportunities and easier connections between pre-merger Delta and Northwest hubs;

• Launching a new trans-Atlantic global joint venture with the Air France KLM group;

• Expanding the benefits of pre-merger codeshare relationships, including Delta's U.S. agreements with Alaska and Midwest airlines;

• Introducing dual-airline functionality on delta.com and nwa.com and via Delta and Northwest airport check-in kiosks;

• Aligning Delta SkyMiles and Northwest WorldPerks Programs, including full complimentary upgrade reciprocity for elite members, linking frequent flyer accounts, consolidating mileage balances, a three-tiered award structure with more choices for award travel and a plan for delivering a best-in-class combined loyalty program for 2010;

• Announcing the consolidation and rebranding of Delta Crown Room Clubs and Northwest WorldClubs into Delta SkyClubs, beginning mid-April;

• Redeploying Delta and Northwest aircraft to better match supply to demand on select routes;

• Granting stock to substantially all U.S.-based employees, bringing to nearly 13 percent employee ownership of the new company; and

• Resolving union representation and seniority integration for pilots, aircraft maintenance technicians, meteorologists and dispatchers and developing seniority recommendations for a fair and equitable seniority integration method by pre-merger Delta flight attendants, Airport Customer Service/Cargo, Reservation Sales and TechOps Stores employees.

Delta continues its progress to achieve a single operating certificate by the end of the year.

Delta Air Lines is the world's No. 1 airline. From its hubs in Atlanta, Cincinnati, Detroit, Memphis, Minneapolis-St. Paul, New York-JFK, Salt Lake City, Paris-Charles de Gaulle, Amsterdam and Tokyo-Narita, Delta, its Northwest subsidiary and Delta Connection carriers offer service to 382 destinations in 71 countries and serves more than 170 million passengers each year. Delta's marketing alliances allow customers to earn and redeem either SkyMiles or WorldPerks on more than 16,000 daily flights offered by SkyTeam and other partners. Delta's more than 70,000 employees worldwide are reshaping the aviation industry as the only U.S. airline to offer a full global network. Customers can check in for flights, print boarding passes, check bags and flight status at delta.com.

All SkyMiles program and WorldPerks program rules apply to SkyMiles and WorldPerks program membership, miles, offers, mile accrual, mile redemption and travel benefits, respectively. To review the rules, please visit delta.com/memberguide and nwa.com/worldperks. Taxes and fees for award travel are the responsibility of the passenger and must be paid at the time the ticket is booked. Award travel seats are limited and may not be available on all flights or in all markets. Upgrades are subject to limited availability and may not be available on all flights.

SOURCE Delta Air Lines

Source: PR Newswire

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