Delta Serves Up New Luxury Bar in Delta Sky Clubs

ATLANTA, Oct. 10, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Delta Air Lines (NYSE: DAL) today introduces the Luxury Bar to the award-winning Delta Sky Clubs, allowing customers to purchase ultra-premium spirits, wine and custom-designed cocktails, in addition to the complimentary wine and cocktails already offered in the clubs.

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"Our customers are thrilled with the new updated design of the refurbished Delta Sky Clubs and the opportunity to purchase upgraded spirits and wine aligns perfectly with the recent changes we've made," said Wayne Aaron, Delta's vice president - Marketing Programs and Distribution Strategy. "During the last several weeks, we've quietly introduced the program in select clubs and the feedback we've received in those clubs strongly indicates this new program is going to be a hit with customers."

Delta has partnered with Diageo, the world's leading premium drinks provider, which oversees a robust collection of beverage alcohol brands. The Delta Sky Club Luxury Bar will offer Diageo's complete portfolio of Reserve spirits, including a selection of cocktails specially designed for Delta Sky Clubs. The Luxury Bar approach implements experiential elements as well as the finest spirits to the Delta Sky Clubs, in an effort to provide the highly-prized business traveler an all around enhanced experience.

"It's an amazing partnership and we are thrilled to be showcasing our Luxury Bar portfolio in the Delta Sky Clubs. Our goal is to provide travelers an innovative and unique experience," said Jeff Parrott, director - Marketing Capabilities, Diageo. "In addition to the product customers will see in the Delta Sky Clubs, Diageo will host additional events throughout the year specifically designed for the Delta customer, such as cocktail master classes with Brand Ambassadors, educational sessions and tastings on the different brands."

Luxury Bar spirit offerings will include: Ciroc, Ketel One and Godiva vodkas; Tanqueray Ten gin; Don Julio, Jose Cuervo tequilas; Bulleit and George Dickel American whisky; Bushmills Irish whisky; a multitude of single malt scotches including Caollla 12, Clynelsih 14, Cragganmore 12, Dalwhinnie 15, Glenkinchie 12, Lagavulin 16, Oban 14 and Talisker 18; Crown Royal, Canadian Whiskey and Johnnie Walker blended scotches; Zacapa rum and many premium liqueurs.

The Luxury Bar wine selection has been carefully hand-chosen for the Delta Sky Clubs. Wines include: Stellina di Notte Pinot Grigio, Chalone Vineyard, Chardonnay, Acacia, Pinot Noir and Beaulieu Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon.

In addition to the Diageo reserve portfolio, the Delta Sky Clubs will also present the world's leading Champagnes, Moet and Chandon Imperial and Dom Perignon Brut.

SodexoMAGIC has been hired to provide the management and staff for the new Luxury Bar, as well as oversee the complimentary food program and guest services in 34 Delta Sky Club locations. The Luxury Bar will be managed by a professional bartending staff hand selected for their industry knowledge and customer service skills and, will receive custom mixology training by Diageo.

"SodexoMAGIC will deliver a winning combination of operational expertise and service excellence," said Earvin "Magic" Johnson, Jr., Chairman and CEO of SodexoMAGIC, LLC. "Our unsurpassed ability to manage and enhance unique environments will positively impact the Delta Sky Clubs' customer experience."

The Luxury Bar will roll out to all domestic Delta Sky Clubs with a full-service bar* by the end of the year, and will mirror Delta's onboard policy of accepting credit and debit cards.

In the last year, Delta has unveiled nine renovated or new clubs across the Delta system, all featuring the new Delta Sky Club design. The new design includes a fully stocked bar  with complimentary beverages and snacks throughout the day; art featuring aerial landscapes of the region; personalized flight assistance; updated restrooms; satellite television and a work zone complete with complementary Wi-Fi, cyber counters with power outlets, desktop computers, wireless printers and additional charging stations. All clubs throughout the system have been touched with specific updates in the last two years.

Details regarding Delta Sky Club memberships, including the new, flexible Delta Sky Club Payment Plan are available online at delta.com/skyclub.

Delta's Sky Club investments are the latest in the airline's previously announced plan to invest more than $2 billion in enhanced global products, services and airport facilities through 2013.  In addition to improving Delta Sky Clubs and upgrading its domestic fleet, Delta will offer full flat-bed seats on more than 140 widebody aircraft, feature personal, in-seat entertainment for both BusinessElite and Economy class customers on all widebody flights, and complete new terminal facilities for international customers at its two largest global gateways -- Atlanta and New York-JFK. All Delta Sky Club rules apply to Delta Sky Club membership and use. More information is available at delta.com/skyclub.

About Diageo

Diageo is the world's leading premium drinks business with an outstanding collection of beverage alcohol brands across spirits, beer and wine. These brands include Johnnie Walker, Crown Royal, J&B, Windsor, Buchanan's and Bushmills whiskies, Smirnoff, Ciroc and Ketel One vodkas, Baileys, Captain Morgan, Jose Cuervo, Tanqueray and Guinness. Diageo is a global company, with its products sold in more than 180 countries around the world. The company is listed on both the New York Stock Exchange (DEO) and the London Stock Exchange (DGE). For more information about Diageo, its people, brands, and performance, visit us at Diageo.com. For our global resource that promotes responsible drinking through the sharing of best practice tools, information and initiatives, visit DRINKiQ.com. Celebrating life, every day, everywhere.

About SodexoMAGIC

In 2006, Sodexo, Inc. joined forces with Magic Johnson Enterprises in a joint venture called SodexoMAGIC, LLC. By leveraging the power of Earvin "Magic" Johnson's brand with Sodexo's extensive portfolio of service solutions, SodexoMAGIC effectively provides flexible, innovative and comprehensive service solutions that have unrivaled broad consumer appeal to the marketplace.

About Delta Air Lines

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 338 destinations in 59 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.

* The Delta Sky Club at Portland International Airport will not have a Luxury Bar

SOURCE Delta Air Lines