Delta Named Top Tech-Friendly U.S. Airline

Airline highlighted by PCWorld for airport recharging stations, in-flight Wi-Fi, mobile apps, use of social media

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Jan 19, 2012, 09:00 ET

ATLANTA, Jan. 19, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Delta Air Lines (NYSE: DAL) has been named "Top Tech-Friendly U.S. Airline" by PCWorld magazine for its airport recharging stations, in-flight Wi-Fi on more domestic flights than any other carrier and smartphone apps with innovative features including baggage tracking and airport check-in. The publication also highlighted Delta's 24-hour customer service via Twitter from @DeltaAssist, as well as the ability to book tickets directly from Facebook.

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"We're providing customers with technology tools to keep them connected during their travel experience on the ground and in the air," said Bob Kupbens, Delta's vice president – eCommerce. "When you literally have the tools in the palm of your hand to track your bag at 30,000 feet or check the status of your connecting flight, it helps eliminate the stress of travel and puts customers in control."

Delta's tech-friendly offerings are part of the airline's previously announced plan to invest more than $2 billion in enhanced global products, services and airport facilities through 2013.

Installation of branded recharging stations in Delta's top 19 airports, including all of its domestic hubs, was complete in 2010. Wi-Fi is available on all of Delta's domestic mainline aircraft, and installation on all of its two-class regional jets will be complete by the end of March 2012. When completed, customers will have access to in-flight Wi-Fi on more than 800 aircraft flying 3,000 daily domestic flights every day.

The popular Fly Delta app was launched on the iPhone in the fall of 2010. BlackBerry, Android and Windows versions followed soon after. The apps provide eBoarding check-in options in 79 cities worldwide, the ability to track and pay for bags, alerts for updated travel information, airport and aircraft details, and a parking reminder.

Delta's Ticket Counter allows Facebook users to book travel or check-in for their upcoming flight using a dedicated "tab" at facebook.com/delta without navigating to delta.com. Innovative tools like the Delta Away We Go app lets customers share and plan their travel with family and friends. Delta has continued to expand its social interaction with customers on twitter.com/delta, blog.delta.com and also provides real-time travel assistance at twitter.com/deltaassist in English and twitter.com/deltaassist_ES in Spanish.

Delta Air Lines 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 341 destinations in 61 countries on six continents. Headquartered in Atlanta, Delta employs 80,000 employees worldwide and 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.