ATLANTA, Oct. 31, 2008 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Delta Air Lines (NYSE:DAL) tomorrow will inaugurate nonstop daily service between Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) and Mumbai Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport, connecting the Southeast with India's booming economy.
Delta will operate the flight with the world's longest-range commercial jetliner, the Boeing 777-200LR, which bolsters Delta's ability to connect passengers and cargo between virtually any two cities around the globe, nonstop. The 777-200LR is Delta's flagship aircraft for its global product, including 180-degree, fully horizontal personal sleeper suites in BusinessElite(r), next-generation, more comfortable seats in coach, and Delta's on-demand entertainment system on larger screens at every seat.
"Linking Mumbai with the southeastern United States using an aircraft with the passenger and cargo capabilities of the Boeing 777-200LR and the vast connectivity of Delta's Atlanta hub will make a huge contribution not only to Delta's international expansion, but also to Georgia's economic growth," said Glen Hauenstein, executive vice president - Network and Revenue Management.
Officials from the Georgia Department of Economic Development, along with other state and local representatives, will board the inaugural flight to embark on a 10-day economic development mission to India and the United Arab Emirates. The delegation includes Georgia Department of Economic Development Commissioner Ken Stewart and Gretchen Corbin, division director international operations. Representing the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce on the trip will be Jorge Fernandez, vice president of global commerce and Hans Gant, senior vice president of economic development.
"Delta's new direct route from Atlanta to Mumbai connects Georgia to one of the world's fastest growing economies," said Stewart. "To be successful in today's flattened world, business demands seamless connectivity for people, data and goods. This nonstop flight to India achieves that connectivity and represents further verification of Georgia's status as an international capital for business."
"India is a critical market within the Chamber's global commerce strategy," said Gant. "Its growing economy continues to offer business opportunities for metro Atlanta companies, and its investment in the U.S. is growing faster than any other Asian country. Atlanta is perfectly positioned to become India's gateway to not only the U.S., but the Western Hemisphere."
Customers flying BusinessElite on any Delta international aircraft enjoy Delta on Demand featuring first-run and popular classic movies, music, TV programming and video games -- all available on demand; a five-course menu offering culinary creations by celebrity chef Michelle Bernstein; a reinvented wine program by Master Sommelier Andrea Robinson featuring wines from around the world; full-size pillows and duvets; and in-seat power outlets that allow customers to recharge their laptops.
Delta's 777-200LR aircraft offers customers flying in coach comfortable new, all leather slim-line seats each with on-demand music, movies, games and television on individual nine-inch video monitors. Delta is the first airline to offer the sleek, leading-edge seats from Weber Aircraft LP, offering up to 1.5 inches more personal space, additional under-seat storage, and ergonomically-designed cushions.
Between India and the United States, Delta's award-winning service also features recent and classic Bollywood hits, as well as vegetarian meal options.
About Delta Air Lines
With its acquisition of Northwest Airlines, Delta Air Lines is now the world's largest airline. From its hubs in Atlanta, Cincinnati, Detroit, Memphis, Minneapolis-St. Paul, New York-JFK, Salt Lake City and Tokyo-Narita, Delta and its Northwest subsidiary offer service to more than 375 destinations worldwide in 66 countries and serve more than 170 million passengers each year. Delta's marketing alliances allow customers to earn and redeem either SkyMiles or WorldPerks on more than 16,000 daily flights offered by SkyTeam and other partners. Delta and its 75,000 worldwide employees are reshaping the aviation industry as the only U.S. airline to offer a full global network. More information about the new Delta is available online at news.delta.com.
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