Delta Air Lines

Article Talk

Delta Air Lines is one of the major airlines of the United

States and a legacy carrier. One of the world's oldest
airlines in operation, Delta is headquartered in Atlanta,
Georgia.[1] The airline, along with its subsidiaries and
regional affiliates, including Delta Connection, operates
over 5,400 flights daily and serves 325 destinations in
52 countries on six continents.[6][7] Delta is a founding
member of the SkyTeam airline alliance.[7] As of the end
of 2022, it had 90,000 employees.[8]

Delta Air Lines, Inc.

IATA ICAO Callsign

DL DAL DELTA

Founded March 2, 1925; 98 years

ago, as Huff Daland
Dusters in Macon, Georgia

Commenced operations June 17, 1929

AOC # DALA026A[1]

Hubs Atlanta
Boston
Detroit
Los Angeles
Minneapolis/St. Paul
New York–JFK
New York–LaGuardia
Salt Lake City
Seattle/Tacoma

Focus cities Raleigh/Durham[2]

Frequent-flyer program SkyMiles

Alliance SkyTeam/SkyTeam Cargo

Subsidiaries Aeromexico (20%)[3]

Endeavor Air
Hanjin (13.21%)
LATAM Airlines (10%) [3]
Virgin Atlantic (49%) [3]

Fleet size 945

Destinations 325 (2019)

Traded as NYSE: DAL

DJTA component
S&P 500 component

ISIN US2473617023

Headquarters Atlanta, Georgia, United

States

Key people Ed Bastian (CEO)

Glen Hauenstein
(president)
Dan Janki (CFO)
Mike Spanos[4] (COO)

Founder C.E. Woolman

Revenue US$50.582 billion

(2022)[5]

Operating income US$3.661 billion (2022)

[5]

Net income US$1.318 billion (2022)

[5]

Total assets US$72.288 billion

(2022)[5]

Total equity US$6.582 billion (2022)

[5]

Employees 95,000 (Jan 2023)[5]

Website delta.com

Delta has nine hubs, with Atlanta being its largest in

terms of total passengers and number of departures.[7]
It is ranked second among the world's largest airlines
by number of passengers carried, passenger-miles
flown, and fleet size. It is ranked first by revenue for
commercially owned airline companies as well as in
brand value, and 113th on the Fortune 500.[9][10]

History

Main article: History of Delta Air Lines

Early history

The history of Delta Air Lines begins with the world's

first aerial crop dusting operation called Huff Daland
Dusters, Inc. The company was founded on March 2,
1925, in Macon, Georgia, before moving to Monroe,
Louisiana, in summer 1925.[11] It flew a Huff-Daland
Duster, the first true crop duster, designed to combat
the boll weevil infestation of cotton crops.[12] C.E.
Woolman, general manager and later Delta's first CEO,
led a group of local investors to acquire the company's
assets. Delta Air Service was incorporated on
December 3, 1928, and was named after the Mississippi
Delta region.[13][14][15][16]

Passenger operations began on June 17, 1929,[17] from

Dallas, Texas, to Jackson, Mississippi, with stops at
Shreveport and Monroe, Louisiana. By June 1930,
service had extended east to Atlanta and west to Fort
Worth, Texas.[18] Passenger service ceased in October
1930 when the airmail contract for the route Delta had
pioneered was awarded to another airline, which
purchased the assets of Delta Air Service. Local banker
Travis Oliver, acting as a trustee, C.E. Woolman, and
other local investors purchased back the crop-dusting
assets of Delta Air Service and incorporated as Delta
Air Corporation on December 31, 1930.

Delta Air Corporation secured an air mail contract in

1934, and began doing business as Delta Air Lines over
Mail Route 24, stretching from Fort Worth, Texas, to
Charleston, South Carolina.[18][19][11] Delta moved its
headquarters from Monroe, Louisiana, to its current
location in Atlanta in 1941.[20] The company name
officially became Delta Air Lines in 1945.[21] In 1946,
the company commenced regularly scheduled freight
transport. In 1949, the company launched the first
discounted fares between Chicago and Miami. In 1953,
the company launched its first international routes after
the acquisition of Chicago and Southern Air Lines.[22] In
1959, it was the first airline to fly the Douglas DC-8. In
1960, it was the first airline to fly Convair 880 jets. In
1964, it launched the Deltamatic reservation systems
using computers in the IBM 7070 series. In 1965, Delta
was the first airline to fly the McDonnell Douglas DC-9.

Growth and acquisitions

By 1970, Delta had an all-jet fleet, and in 1972 it

acquired Northeast Airlines. Trans-Atlantic service
began in 1978 with the first nonstop flights from Atlanta
to London. In 1981, Delta launched a frequent-flyer
program. In 1987, it acquired Western Airlines, and that
same year Delta began trans-Pacific service (Atlanta-
Portland, Oregon-Tokyo). In 1990, Delta was the first
airline in the United States to fly McDonnell Douglas
MD-11 jets. In 1991, it acquired substantially all of Pan
Am's trans-Atlantic routes and the Pan Am Shuttle,
rebranded as the Delta Shuttle. Delta was now the
leading airline across the Atlantic.[16][23]

In 1997, Delta was the first airline to board more than

100 million passengers in a calendar year. Also that
year, Delta began an expansion of its international
routes into Latin America.[24] In 2003, the company
launched Song, a low-cost carrier.[16]

Bankruptcy and restructuring (2005–2007)

On September 14, 2005, the company filed for

bankruptcy, citing rising fuel costs.[25][26][27] It
emerged from bankruptcy in April 2007 after fending
off a hostile takeover from US Airways and its shares
were re-listed on the New York Stock Exchange.[28][29]
[30]

Acquisition of Northwest Airlines (2008–

2010)

The acquisition of Northwest Airlines was announced

April 14, 2008. It was approved and consummated on
October 29, 2008. Northwest continued to operate as a
wholly owned subsidiary of Delta until December 31,
2009, when the Northwest Airlines operating certificate
was merged into that of Delta.[31] Delta completed
integration with Northwest on January 31, 2010, when
their computer reservations system and websites were
combined, and the Northwest Airlines brand was
officially retired.[32]

Destinations and hubs

Fleet

Main article: Delta Air Lines fleet

Delta Air Lines has the largest Boeing

757 fleet of any airline.

As of December 2020, Delta operated a fleet of 750

aircraft[55] manufactured by Airbus and Boeing.[7] Delta
operates the largest Boeing 717, Boeing 757, and
Boeing 767 fleets in the world, and the largest Airbus
A330 fleet of any US airline. Prior to its 2008 merger
with Northwest Airlines, Delta's fleet was made up of
solely Boeing and McDonnell Douglas aircraft. Airbus
aircraft from Northwest joined the fleet after the
merger, and more have since been added.

Delta often seeks to acquire and utilize older aircraft,

especially narrow-bodies, and it has created an
extensive MRO (maintenance, repair, and overhaul)
organization, called TechOps, to support them.
However, in early 2011, Delta began talks with Airbus,
Boeing and Bombardier Aerospace to discuss replacing
the McDonnell Douglas DC-9s, McDonnell Douglas MD-
88s, and older A320 and 757-200 aircraft.[56] On
August 22, 2011, Delta placed an order for 100 Boeing
737-900ER aircraft[57] and deferred an order of 100
small narrow-body jets until 2012.[58]

In July 2021, Delta Air Lines agreed to purchase 29

used 737-900ERs and lease seven used A350-900s as
it aims to modernize its fleet and reduce its complexity.
[59]

Cabin

Delta One Suite on a now-retired Boeing

777

Delta Premium Select on an Airbus

A350-900

Delta First class on a Airbus A220-100

Delta Comfort+ on an Airbus A321

Main Cabin on an Airbus A350-900

Delta underwent a cabin branding upgrade in 2015.[60]

Availability and exact details vary by route and aircraft
type.

Delta One

Delta One is the airline's premier business class

product, available on long-haul international flights, as
well as transcontinental service from New York–
Kennedy to Los Angeles, San Francisco and
Seattle/Tacoma.[60]

Delta One features lie-flat seating on all aircraft types,

and direct aisle access from every seat on all types
except the Boeing 757-200 (in which only a special
sub-fleet of approximately 20 aircraft feature lie-flats).
[61]
The Boeing 767-300ER seats, designed by James
Thompson, feature a space-saving design whereby the
seats are staggered such that when in the fully flat
position, the foot of each bed extends under the
armrests of the seat in front of it. On the Airbus A330
cabins, Delta One features the Cirrus flat-bed sleeper
suite by Zodiac Seats U.S., configured in a reverse
herringbone pattern.[62]

All seats are also equipped with a personal, on demand

in-flight-entertainment (IFE) system, universal power-
ports, a movable reading light, and a folding work table.
Passengers also receive complimentary chef-curated
meals, refreshments, alcoholic beverages, an amenity
kit, premium bedding, and pre-flight Sky Club access.
[63]

In August 2016, Delta announced the introduction of

Delta One Suites on select widebody fleets. The suites
will feature a door to the aisle for enhanced privacy, as
well as improved storage space, a larger IFE screen,
and updated design. The suites rolled out on the Airbus
A350 fleet, first delivered in July 2017, followed by
installation within the Boeing 777 fleet.[64][65] Delta's
Airbus A330-900, which began revenue service for the
airline in July 2019, also features Delta One Suites.[66]
Also in July 2019, Delta began retrofitting a new seat on
the 767-400ER, which featured increased privacy and
design similar to Delta One Suites, though without a
privacy door.[67] These seats lack a door due to the
767's smaller cabin width.

Premium Select

In April 2016, Delta CEO Ed Bastian announced that a

new Premium Economy cabin will be added. Since
renamed to Premium Select, this cabin will feature extra
legroom; adjustable leg rests; extra seat pitch, width,
and recline; and a new premium service. Delta
introduced it on its new Airbus A350, first delivered in
fall 2017, to be followed by the now-retired Boeing 777.
[68]
In October 2018, Delta announced that it would be
selling first class seats on domestically configured
Boeing 757 aircraft flying transatlantic routes as
Premium Select.[69] Delta's A330-900, delivered in
2019, also offers Premium Select.[70] In 2021, Delta
began retrofitting many of its 767-300ER and older
A330 aircraft with Premium Select.[71]

First Class

First Class is offered on mainline domestic flights

(except those featuring Delta One service), select
short- and medium-haul international flights, and Delta
Connection aircraft. Seats range from 18.5 to 20.75
inches (47.0 to 52.7 cm) wide and have between 37 and
40 inches (94 and 102 cm) of pitch. Passengers in this
class receive a wider variety of free snacks compared
to Main Cabin, as well as free drinks and alcohol, and
full meal service on flights 900 miles (1,400 km) and
longer. Certain aircraft also feature power ports at each
seat and free entertainment products from Delta
Studio. First Class passengers are also eligible for
priority boarding.[63]

Delta Comfort+

Delta Comfort+ seats are installed on all aircraft and

feature 34–36 inches (860–910 mm) of pitch; on all
Delta One configured aircraft, 35–36 inches (890–
910 mm) of pitch and 50 percent more recline over
standard Main Cabin seats.[72] Additional amenities
include: priority boarding, dedicated overhead space,
complimentary beer, wine, and spirits on flights 250
miles (400 km) or more, and complimentary premium
snacks on flights 900 miles (1,400 km) or more.
Complimentary premium entertainment is available via
Delta Studio, with free headsets available on most
flights.[63] On transcontinental flights between JFK-
LAX/SFO, Delta Comfort+ passengers also get Luvo
snack wraps. Certain Medallion members can upgrade
from Main Cabin to Comfort+ for free right after
booking, while other customers can upgrade for a fee
or with SkyMiles.[73]

Main Cabin

Main Cabin (Economy Class) is available on all aircraft

with seats ranging from 17 to 18.6 inches (43 to 47 cm)
wide and 30 to 33 inches (76 to 84 cm) of pitch. The
main cabin on some aircraft have an articulating seat
bottom where the seat bottom moves forward in
addition to the seat back tilting backwards when
reclining.[citation needed][74]

Main Cabin passengers receive complimentary snacks

and non-alcoholic drinks on all flights 250 miles
(400 km) or longer. Alcoholic beverages are also
available for purchase. Complimentary meals and
alcoholic drinks are provided on long-haul international
flights as well as selected transcontinental domestic
flights, such as between New York–JFK and Seattle,
San Francisco, Los Angeles, and San Diego.[75][76] As
part of Delta's Flight Fuel buy on board program, meals
are available for purchase on other North American
flights 900 miles (1,400 km) or longer.[75]

Delta operated a different buy on board program

between 2003 and 2005.[77][78] The previous program
had items from differing providers, depending on the
origin and destination of the flight.[79][80] Prices ranged
up to $10 ($15.49 when adjusted for inflation). The
airline started the service on a few selected flights in
July 2003, and the meal service was initially offered on
400 flights.[81] Delta ended this buy on board program
in 2005; instead, Delta began offering snacks at no
extra charge on flights over 90 minutes to most U.S.
domestic flights and some flights to the Caribbean and
Latin America. Beginning in mid-March 2005 the airline
planned to stop providing pillows on flights within the
48 contiguous U.S. states, Bermuda, Canada, the
Caribbean, and Central America. In addition, the airline
increased the price of alcoholic beverages on Delta
mainline flights from $4 ($5.99 when adjusted for
inflation) to $5 ($7.49 when adjusted for inflation); the
increase in alcohol prices did not occur on Song flights.
[81]

Basic Economy

Basic Economy is a basic version of Main Cabin,

offering the same services with fewer flexibility options
for a lower price.[60] Examples of fewer flexibility
options include no ticket changes, no paid or
complimentary upgrades regardless of frequent-flier
status, and only having a seat assigned at check-in.[82]
As of December 2021, Basic Economy travelers no
longer earn award miles (used for redeeming free
travel, for example) or medallion qualifying miles (which
count towards elite status).[83]

Reward programs

SkyMiles
Main article: SkyMiles

SkyMiles is the frequent flyer program for Delta Air

Lines. Miles do not expire but accounts may be
deactivated by Delta in certain cases, such as the death
of a program member or fraudulent activity.[84]

Delta Sky Club

A Sky Club in Concourse B at

Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International
Airport

Delta Sky Club is the branding name of Delta's airport

lounges. Membership is available through an annual
membership that can be purchased with either money
or miles. International passengers traveling in Delta One
class get free access. Membership can also be granted
through top-level Delta status or by being an American
Express cardholder with certain exceptions. As of
January 2019, Delta no longer offered single-day
passes.[85]

Originally, Delta's membership-based airport clubs

were called Crown Room lounges, with Northwest's
called WorldClubs.

Exclusive Delta One Clubs for customers traveling in

business class are slated to open at New York–Kennedy
and Los Angeles in 2024.[86][87]

Legend for lounges table

† Delta hub

‡ Delta focus city

Sky Club lounges by city

City Notes Refs
[88]
Anchorage 1 location
[88]
Atlanta 9 locations†
[88]
Austin 1 location
[88]
Boston 3 locations†
[88]
Chicago 1 location
[88]
Cincinnati 1 location
[88]
Dallas/Fort Worth 1 location
[88]
Denver 1 location
[88]
Detroit 5 locations†
[88]
Fort Lauderdale 1 location
[88]
Honolulu 1 location
[88]
Indianapolis 1 location
[88]
Jacksonville, Florida 1 location
[88]
Kansas City 1 location
[88]
Los Angeles 2 locations†
[88]
Memphis 1 location
[88]
Miami 1 location
[88]
Milwaukee 1 location
[88]
Minneapolis/St. Paul 3 locations†
[88]
Nashville 1 location
[88]
New Orleans 1 location
[88]
New York–JFK 2 locations†
[88]
New York–LaGuardia 2 locations†
[88]
Newark 1 location
[88]
Orlando 1 location
[88]
Philadelphia 1 location
[88]
Phoenix–Sky Harbor 1 location
[88]
Portland, Oregon 1 location
[88]
Raleigh/Durham 1 location‡
[89]
Salt Lake City 1 location†
[88]
San Diego 1 location
[88]
San Francisco 1 location
[88]
Seattle/Tacoma 2 locations†
[88]
Tampa 1 location
[90]
Tokyo–Haneda 1 location
[88]
Washington–National 1 location
[88]
West Palm Beach 1 location

SkyBonus

On November 27, 2001, Delta Air Lines launched

SkyBonus,[91] a program aimed toward small-to-
medium businesses spending between $5,000 and
$500,000 annually on air travel.[92] Businesses can
earn points toward free travel and upgrades, as well as
Sky Club memberships and SkyMiles Silver Medallion
status. Points are earned on paid travel based on a
variety of fare amount paid, booking code, and place
origin or destination.[93] While enrolled businesses are
able to earn points toward free travel, the traveling
passenger is still eligible to earn SkyMiles during his or
her travel.[93]

In early 2010, Delta Air Lines merged its SkyBonus

program with Northwest's similar Biz Perks program.[93]

Corporate affairs

In popular culture

Accidents and incidents

See also

References

External links

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