Delta Air Lines First U.S. Carrier to Take Delivery of Boeing 777-200LR
Longest range jets with fully flat beds and capable of connecting virtually any two cities worldwide augment Delta’s strategic international expansion
Delta’s first new Boeing delivery in six years to be dedicated to airline’s employees, named ‘The Delta Spirit’
SEATTLE, Feb. 29, 2008 – Delta Air Lines takes another step forward in its strategy to become customers’ global airline of choice with delivery of the first of eight Boeing 777-200LR Longer Range jets scheduled to enter its fleet by early 2009. By adding the world’s longest range commercial jetliner to its fleet, Delta bolsters its ability to connect customers and cargo between virtually any two cities around the globe, nonstop. The aircraft will enter scheduled service March 8 flying between Atlanta and Los Angeles and will fly on March 9 from Atlanta to Tokyo.
“This 777-200LR marks an important milestone for Delta as our first new delivery from Boeing in six years, as well as another step forward in creating a truly global airline,” said Edward Bastian, Delta president and chief financial officer. “This aircraft, along with seven more 777-200LRs we’ll add over the next year, will allow us to connect customers nonstop to most any point across Asia, India and the Middle East from our hubs in Atlanta and New York.”
Delta received the new aircraft during an event at Boeing Field in Seattle attended by Bastian and more than 100 Delta employees. In tribute to employees and to the original “Spirit of Delta” – a Boeing 767-200 given to the airline in 1982 by employees, retirees and friends – the new Boeing 777-200LR, Ship 7101, will be called “The Delta Spirit” in gratitude to the many accomplishments of Delta’s employees worldwide. The aircraft will be officially dedicated to Delta employees in a celebration March 6 in Atlanta.
“Nearly 25 years after the original ‘Spirit of Delta’, we see time and again the willingness and ability of Delta people to make our airline the world’s best,” said Bastian.
The new 777-200LR is the flagship aircraft for Delta’s new global product, including fully horizontal personal sleeper suites in BusinessElite®, next-generation, more comfortable seats in coach, and Delta’s on-demand entertainment system on larger screens at every seat. BusinessElite customers flying on the 777-200LR will enjoy new features, including:
Reclining seats that adjust to multiple comfortable positions, including a completely flat 6-foot 3-inch bed; Privacy screens incorporating pull-out meal table, fold-out 10.6-inch personal video screen, integrated footrest and personal stowage compartment for bags, shoes or blankets; Immediate access to the aisle so customers do not have to disturb another passenger when exiting their seat; and USB ports offering charging ability for personal MP3 players.
Delta plans to offer sleeper suites with these amenities on its entire 777 fleet by 2010.
Customers flying BusinessElite on any Delta international aircraft enjoy Delta on Demand featuring first-run and popular classic movies, music, TV programming and video games – all available on demand; a five-course menu offering culinary creations by celebrity chef Michelle Bernstein, including an appetizer, soup or salad, and choice of four entrees (including a vegetarian selection); a reinvented wine program launched in February by Master Sommelier Andrea Robinson featuring wines from around the world; new full-size pillows, duvets; modern and stylish dinnerware; and in-seat power outlets (110 Volt) that allow customers to recharge their laptops without the need for an adaptor.
Delta’s 777-200LR aircraft will offer customers flying in coach comfortable new, all leather slim-line seats each with on-demand music, movies, games and television on individual 9-inch video monitors. Delta is the first airline to offer the sleek, new, leading-edge seats from Weber Aircraft LP, offering up to 1.5 inches of increased personal space, additional under-seat storage, and ergonomically-designed cushions. On all Delta international flights, customers in coach also enjoy enhanced food offerings, a complimentary cocktail with each meal, and complimentary amenities, including eye shades and ear plugs for more personal comfort and privacy.
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