Delta Introduces Full Flat-Bed Seats Between the United States and Brazil

SAO PAULO, Dec. 12, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Delta Air Lines (NYSE: DAL) today announced a significant upgrade to its service in Brazil with the introduction of full flat-bed seats in BusinessElite on flights between the U.S. and Brazil.

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Today, Delta began operating routes between New York-JFK and Sao Paulo using 767-400ER aircraft, which offer full 180-degree flat-bed seats in BusinessElite. On Dec. 14, Delta also will begin using the 767-400ER on routes between Atlanta and Sao Paulo.

The aircraft upgrade increases the number of seats Delta offers on the routes by 17 to 18 percent. Previously Delta had operated the flights using smaller Boeing 767-300 aircraft.

"The upgrade and expansion of our New York and Atlanta flights from Sao Paulo underscores our commitment to offering our customers in Brazil a superior travel experience," said Nicolas Ferri, Delta's vice president – Latin America and the Caribbean. "In addition to the popular flat-bed seats, the enhanced offerings in BusinessElite include upgraded in-flight entertainment, fine dining and wines, noise-canceling headphones and other amenities."

Delta, which is working to become the best U.S. carrier in Latin America, operates 35 nonstop flights between Brazil and the U.S., including nonstop service from Atlanta, Detroit and New York-JFK to Sao Paulo, as well as nonstop service from Atlanta to Rio de Janeiro and Atlanta to Brasilia.

Last week, Delta and GOL Linhas Aereas Inteligentes announced a new agreement for a long-term exclusive commercial alliance. Under the agreement, Delta and GOL, which has a 40 percent market share in Brazil, will expand cooperation to benefit from each other's strengths and further link Delta's global network with one of Brazil's largest and most successful airlines. As part of the agreement, Delta will invest $100 million in GOL and will have a seat on the GOL board of directors.

GOL, Latin America's largest low-cost, low-fare airline, offers more than 940 daily flights that connect 51 domestic destinations in Brazil and 11 international markets in South America and the Caribbean.

All 39 BusinessElite seats onboard Delta's Boeing 767-400ER offer a fully horizontal sleep experience with a full-size pillow and duvet, along with direct aisle access and more privacy. In addition, Delta's customers flying in business class will earn 150 percent Medallion qualification frequent flyer miles and bonus miles.

Customers flying in Economy class will also have access to state-of-the-art personal entertainment system with thousands of choices, including Delta on Demand — an advanced, touch-screen digital entertainment system with up to 250 movies, HBO, 18 channels of satellite TV, an extensive music library with up to 4,100 songs, MP3s, and in-flight trivia.

As previously announced, Delta will also begin flying daily from Detroit to Sao Paulo as well as daily between Atlanta and Brasilia. Detroit -Sao Paulo will increase from five times a week to daily service starting Dec. 15. Atlanta to Brasilia — which began two years ago this month — increased from six times a week to daily service on Dec. 9.

"Brasilia is a natural hub for us as the capital, but more importantly, it serves all the cities in the country, particularly reaching the North, Northeast and Midwest regions of the country," said Luiz Teixeira, Delta's regional sales manager -- Brazil.

The schedule will operate as follows:

Brasilia  –  Atlanta

Sao Paulo –  Detroit

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.

SOURCE Delta Air Lines