Further information: Delta Air Lines destinations and Delta Connection destinations
Delta operates 1,534 flights per day. Delta Connection has 2,533 daily flights. Delta, Delta Connection, and other flights from the SkyTeam partners have 6,795 daily flights.
Delta Air Lines, along with Air France, British Airways, Emirates Airlines, Korean Air, Malaysia Airlines, Qantas, Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines, South African Airways, and United Airlines, is one of the few airlines that fly to all six inhabited continents.
Cabin
Wi-Fi
On August 5, 2008, Delta announced it would be installing the Aircell mobile broadband network, Gogo. This system enables customers traveling with Wi-Fi enabled devices, such as laptops, smartphones and PDAs, to access the Internet. Pricing varies based on length of flight and/or length of pass.
Gogo was initially offered on Delta's fleet of McDonnell Douglas MD-88 and MD-90 aircraft but has expanded to the remaining domestic fleet of Airbus A319 and A320, as well as Boeing 737, 757 and 767 aircraft. Delta has the largest fleet of Wi-Fi-equipped aircraft in the world.
Delta completed Wi-Fi installations on its domestic mainline fleet of 549 aircraft on Nov. 15, 2010. Wi-Fi will be installed on additional aircraft, prior to service, as they are acquired or returned from storage.
In November 2010, Delta announced that it would be bringing Wi-Fi service to its regional jet service operated by Delta Connection carriers. The expansion will include all regional jets with a first class cabin (CRJ 700, CRJ 900 and Embraer 175), 223 jets in all. This includes all shuttle flights between New York-LaGuardia and Boston, Chicago-O'Hare and Washington, D.C. This expansion is planning to be complete by the end of 2011.
In-flight entertainment and AVOD
In the 1960s audio programming was introduced where passengers wore headphones consisting of hollow tubes piping in music. These were installed in some Delta aircraft. Some early wide-bodied aircraft, including the L-1011 fleet, had films projected on to the cabin bulkhead. The film projection system on the L-1011s was replaced by CRT-based projectors in the early 1990s. Also during the same time period, CRT monitors over the aisles were added to the 757 fleet. The MD-90 introduced Delta's first IFE system with LCD monitors in 1995, and the 777 introduced Delta's first in-seat video system in 1999, initially using the Rockwell Collins Total Entertainment System. Delta's first all-digital IFE system with AVOD (Panasonic eFX) was first introduced in 2003 on Delta's former low-cost subsidiary, Song. The Rockwell Collins IFE system on the 777s was replaced by the Panasonic eFX system in 2007. The Panasonic eFX system is trademarked by Delta as Delta on Demand.
Audio and video are available on all aircraft except for the Airbus A320, McDonnell Douglas MD-88, Douglas DC-9 and some Boeing 757-200s inherited from the former Northwest Airlines and McDonnell Douglas MD-90s, as well as Delta Connection aircraft. BusinessElite cabins on the internationally-configured Boeing 767-300ERs, Boeing 767-400ER and the Boeing 777-200ER use the all-digital Panasonic eFX AVOD system. Domestic Boeing 767-300s, Boeing 737-700s, as well as 48 transcontinental Boeing 757-200s and 30 Boeing 737-800s using the Panasonic eFX system, also feature live television via Dish Network in both first class and economy. Delta's new 777-200LR aircraft feature the Panasonic eX2 system (which has a greater storage capacity over the eFX), as well as larger personal video screens. The Airbus A330s and Boeing 747s feature the Panasonic 3000i AVOD system in BusinessElite. On the A330 fleet, this AVOD system is also available in economy class.
In economy class, Panasonic eFX system (without the satellite TV product) is also found on the 777-200ER, 767-400ER, and select 767-300ER aircraft. The 767-400ER fleet initially featured the Rockwell Collins TES system, but it only featured in-seat video (non-AVOD) in the first class section of the aircraft; the economy class section only featured LCDs over the aisles. This system was phased out in 2009, being replaced by the Panasonic eFX AVOD system when the last of the 767-400ERs were converted from domestic to international use. CRT projectors were originally featured in economy class on Boeing 767-300s, with the international 767-300ERs also featuring ceiling-mounted CRT displays over the aisles, which were replaced by LCD monitors. Some Boeing 737-800s, as well as all Boeing 757-300s and McDonnell Douglas MD-90s feature systems with drop-down LCD displays below the overhead bins.
When Delta's ex-TWA ETOPS 757s were first delivered, they featured a system made by Sony Transcom (a former subsidiary of Sony now sold to Rockwell Collins) system that was factory installed for TWA. The system featured overhead drop-down LCD monitors similar to Delta's non-Transcon 737-800s and MD-90s. Delta replaced the Sony Transcom system with the Panasonic eFX system featuring in-seat video and AVOD at the same time as the new BusinessElite seats and slimline economy class seats were installed.
In the spring of 2010, Delta installed the Panasonic eFX AVOD system in Economy on six 767-300ERs that are used on routes that are 12 hours or longer. Delta also announced it will be installing AVOD in Economy class on 52 767-300ER and all Boeing 747 aircraft over the next 3 years.
On July 27, 2010, it was announced that Delta would be the launch customer of the new eX2 AVOD system with the Eco 9i Integrated Smart Monitor, a new ultra-lightweight IFE system by Panasonic Avionics Corporation and Weber Aircraft LLC.Currently, there are plans to install the systems on the 747-400, 767-300ER, and MD-90 fleets.
Travel classes
BusinessElite
BusinessElite is Delta's international business class, available on the Boeing 767-300ER, 777-200ER, 777-200LR, 767-400ER, and select 757-200 aircraft. Delta's standard recliner BusinessElite seats (B/E Aerospace Millennium recliners) on Delta's 767-300ER fleet have 60 inches (1,500 mm) of pitch, 160 degrees of recline, and 18.5 inches of width. Passengers in the BusinessElite cabin receive free meals, refreshments, alcohol and an amenity kit. All seats are equipped with a personal, on demand In-Flight-Entertainment (IFE) system, universal power-ports, a moveable reading light, and a folding work table. On the ex-TWA/AA ETOPS 757s, a similar model of BusinessElite seat was introduced in 2008. These seats are off-the-shelf Recaro CL 4420 seats and feature a built-in massage feature, 55 inches of pitch and are 20 inches (510 mm) wide. The BusinessElite seats (former World Business Class seats, also made by B/E Aerospace) on the ex-Northwest Airbus A330 and Boeing 747–400 fleet feature 60 inches (1,500 mm) to 61 inches (150 cm) pitch, 178 degrees of recline (though at a sloped position), and either 20.25 (A330) or 20.5 (747) inches of width.
On March 27, 2007, Delta announced that it will convert its entire 767-400ER fleet to an international configuration, featuring a BusinessElite cabin. The conversion was completed in 2009.
Delta introduced full-flat sleeper suites made by Contour Aerospace Limited in its 777-200LR fleet upon delivery, and the 777-200ER fleet have also been retrofitted with them in 2011.
On February 5, 2008, Delta announced that they will be installing a sleeper suite product on the 767-400ER aircraft. Designed by Thompson Aero Seating and manufactured by Contour Aerospace Limited, these sleeper suites (Vantage) use a space-saving design, with the bottom ends of the seats extending under the armrests of the suites in front when in the full horizontal flat bed position. This allows for minimal reduction in capacity compared to most other sleeper suite products, particularly with the 767's narrower fuselage. The suites will be arranged in a 1-2-1 layout, with a total capacity of 40 BusinessElite suites . On November 3, 2008, Delta has announced that the 767-300ER fleet will also get the same sleeper suite product that will be first introduced on the 767-400ER fleet.[43] As of June 2011, all 767-400ERs have been retrofitted with the Thompson Vantage seats in BusinessElite. The 767-300ER fleet is expected to be completed in 2013.
On January 25, 2010, Delta has also announced they will introduce a flat-bed BusinessElite product to the ex-Northwest 747-400 fleet. On September 2, 2010, Delta announced that the 747-400 fleet will get a completely new model of flat-bed sleeper suite, the Cirrus from Weber. On February 7, it was also announced that the ex-Northwest Airbus A330 fleet will also get the Weber Cirrus sleeper suites by 2013.
Domestic First Class
First Class is offered on Airbus A319 and A320, Boeing 737–700, 737–800, 757–200, 757–300 and domestic 767–300, and McDonnell Douglas DC-9-50, MD-88 and MD-90 aircraft. Some CRJ-700s and CRJ-900s, and Embraer 175s operated by Delta Connection carriers also have First Class. Seats range from 18.5–20.75 inches wide, and have between 37–40 inches of pitch. Passengers aboard this class receive free meals, drinks, and alcohol. All 737-800s and (Transcon) 757-200 aircraft have power-ports at each seat.
When the ex-AA/TWA ETOPS 757s were first delivered, they initially featured 22 domestic First Class seats that were originally installed by TWA. On international routes, the aircraft were sold entirely as Economy class. All of the ETOPS 757s now feature Recaro CL 4420 BusinessElite seats.
Economy Comfort Class
Economy Comfort is a recently launched premium economy class offered on international aircraft. The seats have 35 inches (890 mm) of pitch, 50 percent more recline over economy, and are distinguished from the economy class seats with the adjustable headrest being a lighter shade of blue. Additional amenities for Economy Comfort customers include free spirits as well as free HBO programming. Economy Comfort will eventually be featured on all international aircraft. Passengers can upgrade from economy class tickets for $80–$160 one-way and various elite levels of SkyMiles members can have access with discounts or free upgrades. The service further aligns Delta's offerings with their Trans Atlantic joint venture partners with the name and offering matching that of KLM's Economy Comfort product.
International Economy Class
Economy Class is available on all international flights. Seats range from 17 to 18 inches (460 mm) wide, and have between 31 and 33 inches (840 mm) of pitch. A few of the newest 767-300ER and all A330-200, A330-300, 767-400ER, 777-200ER, 777-200LR, and ex-TWA 757-200 aircraft feature economy class seats with moveable headrests. The economy seats on the 777-200ERs, 777-200LRs, ex-TWA 757s, and six 767-300ERs are Weber 5751 slimline which have a high pivot point recline system where the seat bottom moves forward in addition to the seat back tilting backwards when reclining. In the spring of 2010, the Weber 5751 slimline seats were introduced on six 767-300ERs that are used on flights that are 12 hours or longer, and will eventually be installed on the entire 767-300ER and 747-400 fleet.A new model of slimline seat (B/E Aerospace Pinnacle) is planned for the A330 fleet.
Domestic Economy Class
Economy Class is available on all domestic flights. Seats range from 17 to 17.5 inches (440 mm) wide, and have between 30 and 33 inches (840 mm) of pitch. Passengers aboard this class receive free drinks and snacks. As part of Delta's EATS buy on board program, food is available for purchase on all flights 1,500 miles (2,400 km) or more (some flights to Hawaii and Alaska continue to receive free meal service). Alcoholic beverages are available for a charge. The 737–700, 737–800 and domestic 767–300 fleet feature the Weber 5751, however, unlike the Weber 5751 slimline seats on Delta's international aircraft, the seats on the 737-700s, 800s, and domestic 767-300s do not feature moveable headrests. These seats will also eventually be introduced on the MD-88 and MD-90 fleet (first being introduced on the ex-Hello MD-90s), however, no dates have been specified as of now.
Delta operated a previous buy on board starting in 2003 and ending by 2005. The previous program had items from differing providers, depending on the origin and destination of the flight. Items on flights to and from Atlanta had items from the Atlanta Bread Company, while flights from other cities had food from Gate Gourmet.
Environmental Initiatives
Fleet
Delta Air Lines was presented an award by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Design for the Environment (DfE) program for the airline's use of PreKote, an environmentally friendly, non-hexavalent chromium surface pretreatment on its aircraft.
PreKote Surface Pretreatment is a Pantheon Chemical product and replaces hazardous chemicals traditionally used to improve paint adhesion and prevent corrosion. In addition, PreKote reduces water usage by two-thirds, significantly reduces wastewater treatment and cuts process time.
The environmentally friendly product is also improving Delta’s bottom-line by putting aircraft back in the air sooner. With time improvement of eight to 10 percent, Delta estimates it will save more than $1 million annually by reducing the overall turn time for painting aircraft.
Recycling
Delta started the industry's first comprehensive in-flight recycling program on June 1, 2007.[58] The initial program involved all domestic in-bound flights to its Atlanta hub, and has since expanded to domestic in-bound flights arriving at Albuquerque, Baltimore, Boston, Chicago-O'Hare, Cleveland, Denver, Fort Lauderdale, Fort Myers, Indianapolis, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Miami, New York-LaGuardia, Portland (OR), Raleigh/Durham, Sacramento, San Diego, San Francisco, Seattle/Tacoma, Tampa, and Washington-Reagan, as well as its hubs at Cincinnati, Detroit, Memphis, Minneapolis/St. Paul, New York-JFK and Salt Lake City. Federal regulations require the incineration of international waste.
As of April 22, 2010 the program has recycled 3.7 million pounds newspaper, magazines, cardboard, plastic cups, plastic bottles and aluminum cans. This equates to:
Recycled volume of paper equivalent to 2,413 cubic yards of landfill space
Recycled enough mixed plastic to “save” 605 barrels (96.2 m3) of oil
Recycled roughly 40 million individual aluminum cans
Raised enough funds to build one Habitat for Humanity Home in Atlanta and a second in Cincinnati, with a third home being planned for 2010.
Delta has also had a carpet recycling program since the fall of 2007 that has diverted 221,000 pounds of worn aircraft carpet from Atlanta area landfills through their partnership with Mohawk Aviation Carpet and Mohawk ReCover program. This equates to 70,899 square yards - the equivalent of 15 acres (61,000 m2) of land or the approximate length of 12 American football fields.
Additionally, Delta has an Employee Recycling Center, which was designed to bring recycling opportunity to Atlanta based employees without access to curbside recycling. The facility also manages recyclables generated within the world headquarters itself. The program has diverted 1.6 million pounds of office paper, cardboard, paperboard, plastic bottles/jugs, aluminum cans and tin cans from local landfills. Since the program started in October 2007, it has:
Earned net proceeds of $10,000 donated to Delta's Employee & Retiree Care Fund - a program which aids Delta families in times of crisis
Recycled volume of paper equivalent to 2,175 cubic yards of landfill space
Recycled enough mixed plastic to “save” 94 barrels (14.9 m3) of oil
Hijackings
There have been over a dozen attempted hijackings which resulted in no injuries and the surrender of the often lone hijacker. These incidents are not included. The following are notable hijackings because of fatalities or success in forcing the aircraft to fly to another country:
In 1968, a Delta DC-8 was hijacked to Havana, Cuba. This was the first successful hijacking to Cuba from the U.S. since 1961, and was the start of multiple hijacking attempts to Cuba in the late 1960s. This coincided with the introduction of passenger screening using metal detectors in U.S. airports starting in the late 1960s.
Additional hijackings which resulted in no injuries and the flight landing in Cuba include March 28, 1984 (Delta 357 New Orleans-Dallas 727), August 18, 1983 (Delta 784 Miami-Tampa 727), July 17, 1983 (Delta 722 Miami-Tampa 727), June 11, 1979 (Delta 1061 New York LaGuardia-Fort Lauderdale L1011)
July 31, 1972, a Delta Flight 841, a Detroit to Miami DC-8 flight, was hijacked to Algiers, Algeria by 8 hijackers. The aircraft stopped in Boston to pick up an international navigator, who was wearing only swimming trunks and a shirt. The flight was allowed to return with passengers to the U.S., stopping in Barcelona for refueling.
On February 22, 1974, Samuel Byck, an unemployed tire salesman from Pennsylvania, stormed aboard a Delta Air Lines Flight 523, DC-9 flight at Baltimore Friendship Airport (now Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport) scheduled to fly to Atlanta and shot both pilots, killing the First Officer, Fred Jones. He intended to crash the plane into the White House.[95] After shooting the pilots, the hijacker grabbed a passenger and demanded that she fly the aircraft.
On August 23, 1980, a Delta Air Lines L-1011 on a San Juan to Los Angeles flight was hijacked to Cuba.The hijacker was jailed by Cuban authorities, and all passengers were released unharmed.
On September 13, 1980, a Delta Air Lines New Orleans to Atlanta flight was taken over by two hijackers and forced to fly to Cuba. The flight continued to Atlanta after stopping in Havana. The hijackers were imprisoned by Cuban authorities. One hijacker was released and later sought US residency. The suspect was later arrested by US authorities in 2002and sentenced to prison the following year.
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