Delta and Alaska Airlines Will End Partnership in May 2017

SEATTLE, Dec. 19, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Delta Air Lines (NYSE: DAL) will continue its commitment of investment and growth in the Pacific Northwest following a decision by Delta and Alaska Airlines to end their partnership. The decision is a positive milestone for both airlines as Alaska focuses on its merger integration with Virgin America and Delta focuses on creating more customer choice at its Seattle-Tacoma International Airport hub, where it now operates more than 150 peak-day flights to more than 40 destinations.

Effective May 1, 2017, Delta and Alaska will no longer have a codeshare agreement, and sales of flights under DL- and AS-coded flight numbers flown on Alaska and Delta aircraft respectively will cease. Additionally, customers of each airline will no longer be able to earn and redeem Delta miles or Mileage Plan miles on flights operated by the other carrier. The carriers will retain an interline agreement, allowing them to continue offering customers ticketing and baggage connectivity. Delta and Alaska today codeshare on only a small number of flights as Delta's growth in Seattle has reduced the need for codeshare flying.

Seattle businesses have global travel needs, and Delta customers in Seattle retain a robust selection of flights following the end of the partnership. Delta has built a strong hub at Sea-Tac, having more than tripled flights and destinations since 2013, and has become a reliable and collaborative travel partner, offering unmatched products and services and a team of 3,200 local employees to support Seattleites' travel needs.

"We view Seattle and the Pacific Northwest as one of the most important markets in the country, with strong economic growth, cultural diversity and some of the world's most innovative brands and minds," said Mike Medeiros, Delta's Vice President – Seattle. "As a result, we have invested heavily in our product, services, facilities and the community. Our focus now is earning the long-term trust of Pacific Northwest customers by demonstrating the value of partnering with a global airline and the benefits of being a Delta SkyMiles Member."

Mileage Earning and Redemption

Delta SkyMiles Members will be able to earn and redeem miles on flights operated by Alaska Airlines through April 30, 2017. SkyMiles Medallion Members will continue to receive their benefits when flying with Alaska Airlines through April 30, 2017.

Beginning May 1, 2017, SkyMiles Members will not be able to earn and redeem miles on flights operated by Alaska Airlines unless a ticket was purchased before Dec. 19, 2016. Medallion Benefits will not be available on flights operated by Alaska Airlines.

Delta SkyMiles Members enjoy the following benefits:

• Miles that never expire.
• Miles can be redeemed for Award Travel to more than 1,000 destinations.
• One-Way Award Tickets start at just 10,000 miles plus taxes and fees (on select flights within the US 48 and Alaska).
• Earn miles when you fly with any of our 25 partner airlines including Virgin Atlantic, Virgin Australia, Air France, KLM and Aeromexico.
• All Medallion Tiers are eligible to receive Unlimited Complimentary Upgrades into First Class and Delta Comfort+ on paid and Award Tickets.
• Diamond and Platinum Medallion Members are offered exclusive Choice Benefits which enables Members to customize their benefits by what matters most, including upgrade certificates, gifting Medallion Status, and more.

All SkyMiles program rules apply to SkyMiles program membership, miles, offers, mile accrual, mile redemption and travel benefits. To review the rules, see Membership Guide & Program Rules at http://www.delta.com/memberguide.

To learn more, customers can visit Delta.com/skymilesinseattle or call 800-323-2323.

Unmatched Products and Services in Seattle

Delta is the largest global carrier at Sea-Tac with more than 150 peak-day departures to more than 40 destinations. Some flights may be operated by Delta Connection carriers Compass Airlines and SkyWest Airlines. The airline offers products and services unmatched by any carrier:

• All-jet flights and a seamless, true international network that doesn't require a change of airlines. With 9 peak-day flights serving eight long-haul international destinations, including Amsterdam, Beijing, Hong Kong, London, Paris, Seoul–Incheon, Shanghai and Tokyo–Narita, Delta people serve Seattleites at Sea-Tac and around the world.
• Delta One/First Class and Comfort+ seating on all flights from Sea-Tac for customers who want extra legroom, priority boarding, dedicated overhead bin space and complimentary beer, wine and spirits.
• Delta Shuttle service from Sea-Tac to Los Angeles and San Francisco, offering customers dedicated check-in counters, gates located near security, complimentary meals in First Class, Luvo snack boxes in Comfort+, onboard snacks provided by Nourish Snacks in main cabin and in-flight beer, wine, spirits (21+, please drink responsibly) and other beverages in all classes of service, including Lagunitas Brewing Company and Fremont Brewing Company craft beer and Starbucks coffee.
• Free in-flight entertainment in all cabins of service out of Seattle through Delta Studio, Delta's industry-leading suite of onboard entertainment. Delta operates the world's largest in-flight entertainment-equipped fleet, with more than 1,000 aircraft offering Delta Studio via streaming through laptops, mobile devices and tablets, in addition to nearly 400 aircraft equipped with seat-back entertainment systems.
• Wi-Fi availability on all long-haul international and all domestic flights operating in the contiguous U.S. out of Seattle.
• A new, 21,000 sq. ft. Delta Sky Club conveniently located between concourses A and B, featuring contemporary furniture with power outlets near every seat, warm wood finishes reminiscent of the Pacific Northwest, rotating art curated from local galleries, a unique spa space to rejuvenate or relax, personalized flight assistance, a complimentary menu featuring chef-driven selections highlighting local flavors along with a complimentary local IPA craft beer, Starbucks coffee and local wines by the glass curated by Master Sommelier Andrea Robinson.
• A second, recently renovated Delta Sky Club for travelers leaving from the South Satellite.
• Fresh, seasonal meals crafted with ingredients from local purveyors at Pike Place Market for First Class customers on select flights from Seattle.

Delta in Seattle

Delta people are active members of the community, giving their time and resources to more than 100 organizations close to the hearts of Seattleites, including Habitat for Humanity – Seattle King County, Boys & Girls Club of King County, PATH, KaBOOM!, Seattle Pride and End AIDS Walk Seattle, among others. In 2016, Delta paid out more than $53 million in profit sharing to its Seattle employees and committed to contributing 1 percent of its net income from the previous year to key charitable organizations, including organizations in Seattle. Delta is one of the world's largest operators of Boeing aircraft, with more than 700 Boeing jets flying around the globe each day. The airline has hired more than 1,000 employees since 2013, and its expansion at Sea-Tac is estimated to contribute $571 million annually in total economic output.

Delta Air Lines serves nearly 180 million customers each year. In 2016, Delta was named to Fortune's top 50 Most Admired Companies in addition to being named the most admired airline for the fifth time in six years. Additionally, Delta has ranked No.1 in the Business Travel News Annual Airline survey for an unprecedented six consecutive years. With an industry-leading global network, Delta and the Delta Connection carriers offer service to 323 destinations in 57 countries on six continents. Headquartered in Atlanta, Delta employs more than 80,000 employees worldwide and operates a mainline fleet of more than 800 aircraft. The airline is a founding member of the SkyTeam global alliance and participates in the industry's leading transatlantic joint venture with Air France-KLM and Alitalia as well as a joint venture with Virgin Atlantic. Including its worldwide alliance partners, Delta offers customers more than 15,000 daily flights, with key hubs and markets including Amsterdam, Atlanta, Boston, Detroit, Los Angeles, Minneapolis/St. Paul, New York-JFK and LaGuardia, London-Heathrow, Paris-Charles de Gaulle, Salt Lake City, Seattle and Tokyo-Narita. Delta has invested billions of dollars in airport facilities, global products and services, and technology to enhance the customer experience in the air and on the ground. Additional information is available on the Delta News Hub, as well as delta.com, Twitter @DeltaNewsHub, Google.com/+Delta, and Facebook.com/delta.

SOURCE Delta Air Lines

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