ATLANTA, Aug. 15, 2008 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- Delta Air Lines (NYSE:DAL) today announced that effective immediately it will waive all excess baggage fees for active military personnel traveling on orders. The fee waivers apply to baggage quantity, weight and size, allowing active servicemen and women to travel with optimum flexibility.
"Delta has a long tradition of supporting our troops and it is important that they find travel with us welcoming and flexible," said Steve Gorman, Delta's executive vice president - Operations. "We respect the courage our military men and women display every day and the people of Delta find it an honor to serve them."
Delta's support of the troops extends beyond flexible travel policies to include offering complimentary military lounges across the system during peak travel times; supporting the active military leaves of more than 450 Delta employees; and operating dozens Civil Reserve Air Fleet (CRAF) missions over the years to support troop movements during times of war.
Additionally, the airline has repeatedly received the National Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve's (ESGR) Freedom Award for its support of Delta employees serving in the National Guard and military reserve units. In 2006, Delta was named a "5-Star Employer" by the ESGR, recognizing the airline's above-and-beyond assistance to guardsmen and reservists.
In 2007, Delta updated its military leave of absence policy to respond to the needs of military members in the 21st century. The policy offers Delta employees serving on active Guard or Reserve duty continued eligibility for medical and dental programs; continuing coverage under Delta's basic and optional life insurance programs; ongoing Delta flight privileges; and continuous vacation accrual. ESGR has cited Delta's military leave policies as a model for other major employers.
Delta Air Lines operates service to more worldwide destinations than any airline with Delta and Delta Connection flights to 312 destinations in 61 countries. Delta has added more international capacity than any major U.S. airline during the last two years and is the leader across the Atlantic with flights to 44 trans-Atlantic markets. To Latin America and the Caribbean, Delta offers 393 weekly flights to 47 destinations. Delta's marketing alliances also allow customers to earn and redeem SkyMiles on more than 16,000 flights offered by SkyTeam and other partners. Delta is a founding member of SkyTeam, a global airline alliance that provides customers with extensive worldwide destinations, flights and services. Including its SkyTeam and worldwide codeshare partners, Delta offers flights to 500 worldwide destinations in 105 countries. Customers can check in for flights, print boarding passes, check bags and flight status at delta.com.
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