Delta Launches Nonstop Service Between Atlanta, China

ATLANTA, June 3, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Delta Air Lines (NYSE: DAL) launches nonstop service between Atlanta and Shanghai this weekend, connecting its largest hub and global gateway with one of the world's fastest-growing markets.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110603/CL13703LOGO )

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20090202/DELTALOGO )

Beginning June 5, the flight will operate twice weekly on 269-seat Boeing 777 aircraft, featuring full flat-bed seats in BusinessElite, as well as Delta's new Economy Comfort class, which offers additional legroom and early boarding.

"By resuming service between Atlanta and Shanghai, we're continuing our strategy of connecting the world's most important business markets," said Vinay Dube, Delta's senior vice president – Asia Pacific. "Nonstop service between these key global cities will mean more opportunities for economic development and job growth in Delta's hometown of Atlanta as well as in Shanghai."

Delta first launched service between Atlanta and Shanghai in 2008, but later suspended the service amid the economic slowdown.

Delta's Atlanta-Shanghai schedule:

Delta has expanded significantly into China in recent years, and will operate 47 weekly flights out of China this summer. In addition to the new Atlanta service, Delta will begin nonstop flights between Detroit and Beijing on July 1. Delta also offers service from Beijing to Seattle and Tokyo-Narita; Shanghai to Detroit and Tokyo-Narita; and Hong Kong to Detroit and Tokyo-Narita.

On June 1, Delta announced a new codesharing agreement with China Eastern, one of China's largest international airlines, which will allow U.S. customers to enjoy convenient connecting service in Shanghai to more than 20 cities throughout China.

Delta Air Lines is headquartered in Atlanta and operates its largest hub at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, with more than 1,000 daily flights this summer to more than 200 cities worldwide, including nonstop service to more than 70 international destinations. Delta focuses on improving the communities it serves by advancing global diversity, improving global wellness and the environment, and promoting arts and culture. With 80,000 employees worldwide and 27,000 employees based in Atlanta, Delta has an estimated annual economic impact of $27 billion on the state of Georgia. Delta, which has called Atlanta home for 70 years, supports a wide variety of non-profit organizations through a combination of corporate philanthropy and employee giving, and this year was the recipient of the Corporation of the Year Award from the Georgia Association of Museums and Galleries.

Delta serves more than 160 million customers each year, and was named by Fortune magazine as the most admired airline worldwide   in its 2011 World's Most Admired Companies airline industry list. With an industry-leading global network, Delta and the Delta Connection carriers offer service to 354 destinations in 65 countries on six continents. Delta operates a mainline fleet of more than 700 aircraft. A founding member of the SkyTeam global alliance, Delta participates in the industry's leading trans-Atlantic joint venture with Air France-KLM and Alitalia. Including its worldwide alliance partners, Delta offers customers more than 13,000 daily flights, with hubs in Amsterdam, Atlanta, Cincinnati, Detroit, Memphis, Minneapolis-St. Paul, New York-JFK, Paris-Charles de Gaulle, Salt Lake City and Tokyo-Narita. The airline's service includes the SkyMiles frequent flier program, a world-class airline loyalty program; the award-winning BusinessElite service; and more than 50 Delta Sky Clubs in airports worldwide. Delta is investing more than $2 billion through 2013 in airport facilities and global products, services and technology to enhance the customer experience in the air and on the ground. Customers can check in for flights, print boarding passes, check bags and review flight status at delta.com.

SOURCE Delta Air Lines