Delta introduces enhanced boarding process in Atlanta

ATLANTA, March 2, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Customers traveling through B Concourse at Atlanta's Hartsfield–Jackson International Airport today will notice a more streamlined boarding process at five Delta (NYSE: DAL) departure gates.

The latest upgrade to the boarding process features branded pillars to create four parallel lanes, keeping customers out of the walkway and providing a separate queuing area for Premium customers and those needing special assistance. The airline plans to roll out this interim solution to additional airports if customer feedback continues to be positive.

"We tested a variety of boarding processes, and our customers and employees let us know that this iteration makes their experience better," said Bill Lentsch, Delta's Senior Vice President – Airport Customer Service and Airline Operations. "We're excited to provide this interim solution, and we'll continue to evaluate new processes and technologies to make the customer experience even better."

As Delta develops new solutions to improve the boarding process, the airline looks to take the "hold room" feel out of the gate space and create an interactive area full of meaningful distractions that keep customers engaged and entertained while they wait, Lentsch explained.

"Delta is determined to create the friendliest airport customer experience in the industry," said Tim Mapes, Delta's Senior Vice President & Chief Marketing Officer. "Improving boarding is a major priority for us, and we want it to be as easy as possible for our customers and airport customer service agents. As this new boarding process rolls out, our customers will experience less crowding and confusion at the gate in addition to a more seamless transition when entering the plane."

Delta is a key partner in the $6 billion infrastructure modernization project at the world's busiest hub and this boarding process will continue to rollout at Delta gates across Hartsfield–Jackson International Airport as part of a $400 million terminal and concourse renovation.

This boarding adjustment is the latest example of Delta's commitment to innovation. The airline has also implemented innovative customer experience solutions like RFID baggage handling, real-time bag tracking via the Fly Delta mobile app, more efficient and high tech security lanes and a groundbreaking app that helps Delta pilots avoid turbulence for a more comfortable flight. Last November, Lentsch discussed Delta's ongoing boarding tests in a column on the Delta News Hub.

Small tweaks to the Delta boarding process over the past few years have led to the implementation of zone boarding based on loyalty. The enhanced pillar queuing system will continue to allow customers to board by zones.

Delta Air Lines serves more than 180 million customers each year. In 2017, Delta was named to Fortune's top 50 Most Admired Companies in addition to being named the most admired airline for the sixth time in seven 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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