Delta to Add Inflight Wi-Fi to 223 Delta Connection Jets

Internet expansion marks latest milestone in airline's efforts to invest in improved customer service

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Nov 29, 2010, 09:00 ET

ATLANTA, Nov. 29, 2010 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Delta Air Lines (NYSE: DAL) today announced it will add onboard Wi-Fi to 223 regional jet aircraft operated by Delta Connection carriers, expanding by 40 percent the number of Delta aircraft featuring Gogo Inflight Internet service. Delta will be the first domestic carrier to deploy Wi-Fi across its entire mainline and regional aircraft fleets with two classes of service.

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

Delta completed installing Wi-Fi on all mainline domestic aircraft earlier this month.

"Adding Wi-Fi capabilities to our two-class regional jets marks another milestone in our efforts to invest more than $2 billion to enhance our airport facilities, aircraft fleet and onboard services for customers through 2013," said Tim Mapes, Delta's senior vice president – Marketing. "We continue to make significant progress in aligning the products and services offered by our regional airline partners so that Delta customers have an experience consistent with that available aboard Delta's mainline fleet."

Installations of Wi-Fi on Delta Connection jets will begin in January and will be complete by the end of 2011. Once complete, customers flying on all Delta domestic flights with a First Class cabin will enjoy Wi-Fi access, including service on every Delta Shuttle flight between New York-LaGuardia and Boston, Chicago-O'Hare and Washington, D.C.

Delta began installing Wi-Fi on domestic mainline aircraft in 2008, becoming the first airline to announce plans for inflight Internet service on all domestic aircraft. With 549 mainline aircraft and the addition of 223 regional jets to the Wi-Fi program, more than 80 percent of Delta's domestic fleet – or 772 aircraft – will feature Gogo Inflight Internet access.

Delta Connection aircraft featuring First Class cabins include Embraer 175, Bombardier CRJ700 and Bombardier CRJ900 models operated by Delta Connection. The aircraft feature between nine and 12 seats in First Class and between 56 and 64 seats in Economy.

In addition to Wi-Fi, Delta has taken a number of steps to fully align service on Delta Connection and mainline flights. Recent improvements have included adding First Class cabins to 66 additional CRJ700 jets; introducing meal service in First Class on regional jets; adding china, linen and silverware to Delta Connection First Class cabins and installing more jetbridges at Delta hubs to reduce ground-level boarding of regional jets.

Delta Air Lines serves more than 160 million customers each year. With an industry-leading global network, Delta and the Delta Connection carriers offer service to 351 destinations in 64 countries on six continents. Headquartered in Atlanta, Delta employs more than 75,000 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, the world's largest airline loyalty program; the award-winning BusinessElite service; and 50 Delta Sky Clubs in airports worldwide. Customers can check in for flights, print boarding passes, check bags and review flight status at delta.com.

A portion of travel for some itineraries may be on the Delta Connection carriers: Atlantic Southeast Airlines, Comair, Compass Airlines, Mesaba, Pinnacle Airlines, Shuttle America dba Delta Shuttle, and SkyWest.

Terms and Conditions

Additional restrictions may apply. Offers subject to change. Use of the Gogo Inflight Internet service is subject to terms of use available at gogoinflight.com.

SOURCE Delta Air Lines