From Yahoo Finance:

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/airlines-worst-coach-seats-best-204251677.html

From the Motley Fool: An in-depth review of the Delta Air Lines stock:

https://www.fool.com/investing/2021/09/14/delta-air-lines-continues-its-run-of-outperformanc/

Delta Air Lines issued this statement:

Never forget. It was a vow Americans, and people around the world made on September 11, 2001. Two decades after a terrorist attack claimed the lives of thousands and forever changed the world, our country, our communities and our lives, we are taking a moment to remember.

“As we look back 20 years from Saturday, we’ll always remember the frightening and surreal day in our nation’s history,” Delta CEO Ed Bastian wrote on Instagram. “It’s a memory that is seared into my brain. At the time, our industry had never seen this level of impact and I’ll never forget the eeriness and silence in the skies and at the airport around that time.”

We will never forget the shock and horror of those attacks that occurred on an otherwise normal, beautiful day. We will never forget the painful loss of life, and how those of us who survived and witnessed the attacks lost our sense of security. We’ll never forget the 2,996 souls lost that day. We will never forget the first responders who fearlessly and selflessly fought to save as many lives as they could – many at their own peril. We will never forget the crews and passengers of American flights 11 and 77 and United flights 93 and 175.

“Our world was forever changed on that day and it was our collective fortitude and empathy that brought us through that unthinkable time,” said Kristen Manion Taylor, S.V.P. – In-Flight Service. “The crews and passengers on those flights are all heroes.”

“While Delta did not have any aircraft or crews involved with the murderous acts of violence and terror that day, I remember how deeply we felt a connection to our industry peers,” said Eric Phillips, S.V.P. – Airport Customer Service and Cargo.

In the days, weeks and months that followed the terrorist attacks, our nation responded with unity and solidarity. American flags were displayed with proud defiance of those that tried to defeat us. We were reminded that what truly matters is a commitment to each other. We will never forget those we lost and those who protected us then, and now.

“What stands out most, and what I will never forget, is our courage, resilience and passion – our resolve to return to the skies,” said E.V.P. and Chief of Operations John Laughter. “As crew members, it took bravery and determination to return to the air in the weeks that followed. I remember how proud I was to see our flight crews stand together with the strength and confidence to move forward.”

“In the weeks that followed, I remember vividly the solidarity we showed as an industry and as a nation,” said Allison Ausband, E.V.P. and Chief Customer Experience Officer. “We did not give up or give in – we focused on taking care of our people and implementing the necessary safety measures to get flying again.”

In the 20 years since, we still experience the impact of 9/11 in our day-to-day lives, in our experiences and our conversations. We’ll never forget that we must always remain vigilant.

Significant investment and advancements in security technology and practices have made aviation safer than ever, from the airport experience to the skies. “Above all, people will always be our greatest security asset,” said Randy Harrison, V.P. – Corporate Security. “While our industry and our communities face emerging threats domestically and abroad, our collective, continued awareness — whether we’re airline employees or passengers – to protect each other is critical.”

But so much of what changed after that day has become commonplace. With every passing year, we must remind ourselves to never forget.

“My biggest fear is we will forget what happened to our country that day,” Delta V.P. – Airport Operations at New York-JFK Stephanie Baldwin wrote on social media. “We will forget the horror and pain inflicted upon thousands of people and their family members. We will forget all the first responders that ran TO and INTO the WTC to help-they never came home. We will forget how we all came together and prayed for the healing of our country.”

We never forget by sharing our memories. Over the past twenty years, memorials have been built a dedicated. The Freedom Tower soars on the hallowed ground where the twin towers of the World Trade Center once were. The opportunities to remember are plentiful.

“Parents, please make sure your children know what happened that day,” Baldwin wrote. “Come visit the 9/11 Museum or the Reflecting Pool at the [World Trade Center].”

We will never forget the solemnity of 9/11. But as we commemorate the 20-year anniversary of the terrorist attacks, those painful memories are the ones that remind us to come together and remember our common humanity and shared values.

“We honor those who lost their lives, the brave first responders and service members who fought to protect our country after the attacks,” Bastian wrote. “I’ll never forget how the Delta people came together and took exceptional care of our customers, and each other, that day and in the days following. That same spirit has been on display throughout the pandemic – another unimaginable crisis for our nation and our world.”

“Even as I know we will #NeverForget and my heart remains heavy in memory, I am optimistic for our future thanks to the resilience we see in Delta people, our industry colleagues, and our fellow citizens.”

Delta Air Lines has committed to setting a new emissions target for its global airline operations in line with the climate science underpinning the Paris Agreement. This commitment complements Delta’s already industry-leading set of climate actions, including voluntarily capping its emissions at 2012 levels, committing to carbon-neutrality from March 2020 onward and aspiring to replace 10 percent of its conventional jet fuel with sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) by the end of 2030.

“Big challenges require big solutions,” said Ed Bastian, Delta’s CEO. “Climate change is one of the most critical challenges facing our world today, and we remain committed to driving change across the aviation ecosystem by setting ambitious targets tailored to our unique industry challenges.”

Specifically, Delta has signed a commitment letter to work with the Science Based Target initiative (SBTi) to set a science-based emissions intensity improvement target using the organization’s recently released criteria and guidance for the aviation sector.

SBTi is a premier global partnership between leading non-governmental organizations aiding the business community to align their medium- and long-term climate goals with the science guiding the Paris Agreement. The company plans to work with SBTi to develop an approved emissions intensity target consistent with the sector-specific guidance limiting global warming to well below 2 degrees Celsius.

A key component of setting and achieving this target is accelerating the work already underway with fleet renewals, operational efficiencies and scaling SAF, with SAF in particular requiring strong policy support and investment from the Administration.

In 2020, Delta’s fuel efficiency improved 5.7 percent per seat mile from 2019, saving 117 million gallons of fuel due to fleet retirements, reduced passenger loads and other factors. This year, Delta has ordered 55 incremental Airbus A321neo aircraft, which are expected to achieve 12 percent greater fuel efficiency on a per-seat basis than the A321ceo aircraft. The airline is leasing seven used Airbus A350-900s, which burn 21 percent less fuel per seat than the 777s they replace.

In addition, this year the company has purchased over 300,000 gallons of SAF, collaborating with its corporate partners to help grow the underdeveloped SAF market. Beginning in 2025, Delta expects to receive roughly 70 million gallons of SAF annually under offtake agreements with two providers. The company also recently announced a memorandum of understanding with Chevron and Google to evaluate the environmental benefits and integrity of SAF while increasing transparency.

“By partnering with thought leaders and experts at SBTi, we ensure the goals we set in the near-term are rooted in the science needed to help limit the rise in global temperatures over the long-term,” said Amelia DeLuca, Delta’s Managing Director of Sustainability. “We are also having constructive conversations with policymakers in Washington, as the industry cannot significantly reduce its emissions in the absence of strong federal climate leadership.”

Delta Air Lines made this announcement:

The risk of exposure to COVID-19 while traveling after all passengers test negative 72 hours in advance of your flight is less than 0.1 percent. That’s according to a unique study that examined real-world customer data on Delta’s COVID-tested flight corridors between New York-JFK, Atlanta and Italy’s Fiumicino International Airport.

The peer-reviewed study published in Mayo Clinic Proceedings showed a single COVID-19 molecular test performed within 72 hours of departure could decrease the rate of people actively infected onboard a commercial aircraft to a level that is significantly below active community infection rates. For example, when the average community infection rate was at 1.1 percent – or about one in 100 people – infection rates on COVID-19-tested flights were 0.05 percent or 5 in 10,000 passengers. The Georgia Department of Health and Mayo Clinic conducted the study in conjunction with Delta.

“We are going to live with COVID-19 variants for some time. This real-world data – not simulation models – is what governments around the world can use as a blueprint for requiring vaccinations and testing instead of quarantines to re-open borders for international travel,” explained Dr. Henry Ting, Delta’s Chief Health Officer. “Air travel risk varies depending on case rates and vaccination rates at the origin and destination, masking and other factors. But the data collected from this study show that the routine use of a single molecular test within 72 hours before international travel for unvaccinated individuals significantly mitigates the risk of COVID-19 exposure and transmission during airline travel.”

Dr. Ting added that our real-world experience and testing protocol demonstrate that a very low risk of infection transmission is possible, confirming previous simulation models of viral transmission on planes.

The study began in December 2020 with the trans-Atlantic COVID-19 testing program that enabled quarantine-free entry into Italy and allowed teams to review and model various testing strategies for feasibility, false-positive rates and case detection rates. Now, the results of this study are available – offering unique data insights on the risk of SARS-CoV-2 exposure, infection rates on board and showing the feasibility of putting in place a testing protocol with meaningful impact.

“When you couple the extremely low infection rate on board a COVID-19-tested flight with the layers of protection on board including mandatory masking and hospital-grade air filtration, the risk of transmission is less than one in one million between the United States and the United Kingdom, for example,” Dr. Ting added. “These numbers will improve further as vaccination rates increase and new cases decrease worldwide.”

Key data points and takeaways from the study, conducted from December 2020 – May 2021, include:

DATA

• Among the 9,853 potential passengers who underwent testing in the U.S., 4 (0.04%) individuals tested positive by both the rapid antigen and confirmatory molecular tests.
• During the study period, the average community infection prevalence rate was estimated at 1.1%

TAKEAWAY: A single molecular test performed within 72 hours of departure can decrease the rate of active infection onboard a commercial aircraft to a level that is several orders of magnitude below active community infection rates.

DATA

• Individuals who tested positive by both the rapid antigen and confirmatory molecular tests were considered true positives and were not allowed to board. There were no false-positive rapid antigen tests.
• The estimated risk of a false-negative antigen test is 0.00009. 

TAKEAWAY: A low yield of additional rapid antigen testing at the airport suggests that further testing is unlikely to add safety alongside other mitigation efforts (i.e., masking), especially as vaccination rates are rapidly increasing. 

DATA

• Testing on arrival in Italy identified 1 (0.01%) additional infected individual.

TAKEAWAY: During a period of high COVID-19 infection burden within the U.S., a single molecular test performed within 72 hours of departure lead to a low percentage of airline passengers identified with the virus on rapid antigen testing during travel. This data may inform future recommendations for testing during travel and eliminate the need for quarantine after travel.

Delta continues to operate flights to international destinations. Customers are reminded to check entry requirements for their desired destination as each country’s government may have specific requirements.

Delta Air Lines is expecting to fly at least 2 million customers during the Labor Day weekend travel period of Sept. 2-6, more than twice as many customers carried during the COVID-19-restricted 2020 season.

We may see as many as 2.2 million customers, representing about 80% of what we saw in 2019 before the pandemic began.

In 2020, about 800,000 customers traveled on Delta during the same holiday weekend period.

Delta is expected to average of 4,500 departures a day throughout September.

Delta Air Lines has made this announcement:

• Customers can enjoy a thoughtfully curated selection of playlists and podcasts from Spotify on Delta seatback screens
• Brands come together to create unparalleled audio entertainment experience during flight 

Every journey has a story that can be told in music, which is why Delta and Spotify are partnering to reimagine the in-flight audio experience exclusively on Delta Studio.

Beginning in September, customers on Delta will be able to listen to specially curated versions of Spotify’s most popular playlists and more than 40 select podcast series curated by Spotify and Delta directly from the airline’s industry-leading seatback screens*.

“Our customers expect the very best in-flight entertainment when flying on Delta and Spotify is the very best in music and podcasts,” said Ranjan Goswami, S.V.P. – Brand Experience. “We are not only elevating the audio experience onboard, but best-in-class content also is the foundation for our vision of a more personalized travel journey in the future that customers won’t find anywhere else.”

The partnership brings together the world’s most awarded airline with the world’s largest audio streaming service. Spotify reaches more than 365M monthly active users in 178 markets around the world – helping listeners connect with culture through music, podcasts and curated content that reflects the world around them.

A TASTE OF YOUR FAVORITE SPOTIFY CONTENT AT YOUR FINGERTIPS

Available only on Delta, customers can enjoy eight specially curated versions of Spotify playlists that feature tastes of some of Spotify’s most popular playlists, including: Mood Booster, Relax & Unwind, RapCaviar and Hot Country.

In the same way the airline regularly refreshes Delta Studio with new hit movies and TV shows from top studios, these curated playlist mixtapes and podcasts will be regularly updated and expanded with new tracks and episodes to ensure customers always have the latest hits and new playlists during their journey – including selections from artists and genres they might not have discovered yet.

The new audio section lives within the familiar Delta Studio interface on seatback screens. Simply tap the “Audio” tab on the left to browse and select from available options, plug in earbuds or headphones and enjoy.

With fast-streaming Wi-Fi coming to more routes this year, customers can also choose to stream Spotify directly from their personal mobile device with the purchase of in-flight Wi-Fi access.

Delta is reimagining the onboard entertainment experience. Customers can also use Delta Studio to watch the latest hit movies and TV shows and browse 12 channels of live satellite TV**, stay connected with free messaging, and enjoy fast-streaming Wi-Fi on more flights.***

Delta Air Lines Pilot Alexander Kahn spoke about his experience flying Afghanistan evacuees to America and reflected on the opportunity to be a part of the mission.

3 p.m. ET Aug. 27: ‘The future is theirs’: Delta pilot reflects on flights in CNN interview

As Delta people continue to support the federal governments Civil Reserve Air Fleet activation, we’re hearing first hand accounts from flight crews.

Delta Pilot Alexander Kahn appeared on CNN’s New Day Friday morning. He spoke with host John Berman about his experience flying Afghanistan evacuees to America and reflected on the opportunity to be a part of the mission.

“The American people have always come together and helped when it was time to help,” Kahn said.

Kahn recounted how the Delta Flight Attendants he was working with purchased supplies, toys and games to bring on board, a reflection of their anticipation of their passenger’s needs and a desire to make the flight comfortable.

“We’re a generous country because we’re a generous people and the future is theirs,” Kahn said.​

11 a.m. ET Aug. 27: CNN features Delta crews supporting Afghanistan evacuees

CNN got an inside look at the massive operation in support of the Civil Reserve Air Fleet activation at Ramstein Air Base in Germany, featuring footage and interviews with the Delta crews making it happen.

“We did everything we could to make everyone comfortable and feel protected … and quite frankly, loved,” said Flight Attendant Daniel Thames.

Flight Attendant Joshua Miller recalled the moment the crew saw some of the evacuees standing near the hangar: “I think that’s when it really clicked, when we were all like, OK, this is game time. These are people that we are bringing back to the United States … to escape.”

4 p.m. ET Aug. 26: From the Middle East to Dulles, Delta crews ‘make stuff work’

There’s a common response among Delta people working at Ramstein Air Base in Germany to the question: “How would you describe the work we’re doing?”

“Fulfilling.”

As more than 200 evacuees from Afghanistan boarded one of Delta’s 767-300ERs on Wednesday afternoon, it’s hard not to be proud. The people climbing the boarding stairs spanned generations of families — from grandparents to small children and babies.

For all of them, the journey so far has been a long one, with multiple stops along the way. Getting all of those passengers on the flight requires precise coordination and teamwork among Delta, the U.S. Air Force, and various government agencies at Ramstein. The work requires quick thinking and collaboration.

“It’s a constant, evolving process,” said Scott Turner, Delta Charter Field Operations Manager.

Turner recounted a moment from one of the first flights of Delta’s support of the Civil Reserve Air Fleet activation. After all the passengers boarded, as the door closed, passengers nearby approached for one final handshake of thanks and appreciation.

“All of the stress and the drama and everything going on, it just washes away in that moment,” he said.

It’s complicated work Delta’s teams are taking on at Ramstein, other airports in Germany, the Middle East and at Dulles International Airport. But every flight is another opportunity to come together, learn and improve.

“It’s what we do,” Turner said. “It takes everybody and all the divisions to come together and make stuff work. We couldn’t do it without everybody working together.”

It’s that teamwork, that ever-present attitude that we can and must get this done for our passengers, that keeps Delta people here going.

As Turner says: “It’s fulfilling.”

11 a.m. ET Aug. 26: Crews describe emotional airlifts for Afghanistan evacuees

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution published a report on the work of Delta crews supporting the government’s activation of the Civil Reserve Air Fleet. The story included interviews with Pilots Todd Badura and Joe MacGillivray and Flight Attendant Dale Grimes.

They detailed the massive undertaking by Delta crews to not only transport evacuees to safety, but provide diapers, formula and other necessary provisions for dozens of small children on board. The crew described an emotional and powerful trip for those serving. The AJC’s Kelly Yamanouchi writes:

When the plane finally landed at Dulles, there was another wait on the ground for customs processing before passengers finally were able to get off the plane and onto U.S. soil.

MacGillivray said “That’s when the gravity of the situation hit me.”

He looked at the departing passengers carrying plastic bags and realized “that’s all that they have, that they left their country with.”

“That’s when it really hit me, what we just did,” MacGillivray said.

1 p.m. ET Aug. 25: Pilots, Flight Attendants volunteer for a solemn mission

As Delta continues to support the U.S. government’s activation of the Civil Reserve Air Fleet, it’s the flight crews that will spend the most meaningful time with evacuees from Afghanistan. It’s a mission for which many of these Delta Flight Attendants and Pilots have volunteered.

“It’s part of history,” Flight Attendant Kurt Wolfe said before departing Dulles International Airport. “It’s an amazing opportunity.”

Delta will operate more than two dozen CRAF flights, committing four wide-body jets and countless hours of employee efforts to the mission.

Delta Pilot Brett Dunham is among those who will fly Afghanistan evacuees to the U.S. Before departing Dulles, he and his colleagues on the flight deck were absorbing information being provided by Delta’s various divisions and departments and remained focused on the task at hand.

Meanwhile in the cabin, Wolfe and his fellow Flight Attendants prepared to provide Delta’s hallmark warmth and hospitality to their passengers.

“Just show as much empathy as possible,” he said. “These people have been through a world of hurt. I think our faces and our care and compassion will just bring Delta’s love to everyone on board. That’s what’s most important.”

As Pilots and Flight Attendants alike prepared for their mission, they were also reflective of the moment they would soon be a part of.

“I’m sure there’s going to be a lot of happy people on this airplane. I can only imagine what they’re thinking,” Dunham said. “The opportunity to take them from there to here, changes their lives 4,000 miles at a time.”

“We want to make them feel at home and comfortable,” Wolfe said. “We’re bringing them to their new home, and hopefully they’ll remember Delta for that.”

6:15 p.m. ET Aug. 24: ‘We love to help out’ – Clean Teams prep planes for Afghanistan evacuees

Countless Delta people have stepped up in support of the airline’s response to the activation of the Civil Reserve Air Fleet, and that includes a team of people that goes unseen, especially if they do their job right — the Delta Global Cleanliness Team.

Members of that team are working tirelessly in support of Delta’s CRAF flights out of a sense of duty to the passengers and pride in their work. “This is what we would do anyway,” said Global Clean Team member Latasah Polk. “We have to do this for these families.”

Tuesday afternoon, a Boeing 767-300ER touched down at Dulles International Airport. Moments after the passengers — evacuees from Afghanistan — deplane, the Clean Team is on board.

Their methodical process includes treating the entire cabin with an electrostatic spray, picking up trash, collecting blankets and pillows, a good vacuum and a thorough wipe down of every surface.

While the Clean Team is in the lead, they’re supported by Delta partner Unifi and pretty much anybody nearby wearing a reflective Delta vest — including ramp agents and corporate staff.

“Here, let me get that for you,” is repeated by everybody pitching in to help out. It’s a team effort that pays off.

“Done!” said Global Clean Team leader Harry Martinez as he descended the boarding stairs from the 767-300ER. “Thirty minutes early, too!”

The sense of accomplishment for the team is fueled by that desire to take what they do best, and make it possible for people who need it most. In this case, that’s a spotless cabin.

“It feels awesome,” said Chavon Wooten. “We love to help out.”

10 a.m. ET Aug. 24: Whether in the operation or behind the scenes, Delta people come together to help Afghanistan evacuees

 

Delta Airport Customer Service Field Director Elizabeth Dickinson has a saying on her team: “This is how we do it.” This week, it’s served as a rallying cry around their commitment to help incoming evacuees from Afghanistan to the U.S.

A cadre of Delta people from across the country, representing every corner of the operation, converged on Dulles International Airport Monday to do just that in response to the federal government’s activation of the Civil Reserve Air Fleet. It’s a massive undertaking that requires hard work from hundreds of dedicated people at Delta stations in the U.S. and Europe.

More than 260 people evacuated from Afghanistan were on board the Delta A330-300 jet that landed Monday afternoon at Dulles. When the wheels touched down, it marked the end of an eight-hour flight, the latest leg of a days-long journey.

Some American citizens were among those on board. Many were very young.

“I was just surprised with how many little children were on board,” said Delta TechOps Mechanic Troy Dobler.

Dobler and fellow mechanic Richard Gill were on board the relief flight, two members of the Delta crew supporting the mission. After a grueling marathon of travel, they climbed the boarding stairs to the A330-300 again late Monday, bound back to Europe and the Middle East for a repeat mission.

“Any time you can help people when they’re in a really bad situation, it makes you feel good,” Gill said.

Delta has committed four jets — two A330-300s, an A350-900 and a B767-300ER — and has already scheduled 25 flights for 6,700 passengers through Aug. 31 in support of the CRAF. Each requires a full crew of pilots, flight attendants, mechanics and security staff. On the ground, hundreds of Delta people are working to support the effort in an incredible display of logistical prowess.

Delta has called in some of its best operational managers and support teams, all of them coming together behind a common goal.

“We’re a Delta family, so whenever something like this happens, we’re always looking to support each other,” said Faiz Syed, Dulles Station Manager.

At Dulles, ramp agents are working hard, supporting the day’s regularly scheduled flights, and additional CRAF flights.

After each plane is deplaned, Delta’s Global Cleanliness team makes sure the entire cabin is thoroughly cleaned and ready to welcome the next flight of evacuees.

Delta’s Corporate Security team is focused on making sure each flight operates safely and securely, in spite of the challenging circumstances.

“It’s all about just focusing on one thing at a time and making sure you’re doing everything safely,” Syed said.

Though ever-focused on the task at hand, the meaning of the mission is on the mind of every Delta employee.

“To be able to get them to a safe place and help them start a new life is pretty impactful,” Syed said.

As the A330-300 departed, the team on the ground took a few moments to debrief on a successful turn and take a break. The next flight, one of Delta’s A350-900s, would arrive in less than an hour.

Time to do it again.

8 p.m. ET Aug. 23: Delta people prepare for evacuees from Afghanistan

Delta’s finest are converging on Dulles International Airport as the first waves of evacuees from Afghanistan begin to arrive on Delta jets.

The teams continued work Monday that began over the weekend, continuing to prepare for the arrival of thousands of passengers.

After getting reports from inbound flights that passengers had several basic needs, three Delta people decided to act.

Kendall Antoine, Quentin Harris and George Taylor piled into a Delta van and made a bee line for a local store to pick up diapers, formula, baby snacks and personal hygiene products. All in addition to the catering and supplies already planned for the flights.

“This is what we do,” Harris said. “We serve.”

Ed Bastian to Delta Colleagues Worldwide

COVID-19 update

Since the earliest days of the pandemic, our No. 1 priority has always been to protect our people and customers. Over the past 18 months, we have invested heavily in cleanliness, personal protective equipment, testing, and – most importantly – vaccines.

Today I’m pleased to announce that we’ve reached the milestone of 75% of our people vaccinated, which puts us one step closer to getting back to what we do best – connecting the world and running the best airline on the planet. I want to personally thank all of you who have taken the time to receive a vaccination – your actions are making a real difference.

In addition to vaccinating our people, we’ve been proud to partner with the state of Georgia to operate the state’s largest mass vaccination site at the Delta Flight Museum, where nearly 35% of the state’s mass vaccination doses were administered to residents. In total, more than 150,000 doses were administered to our employees, their family members and friends at Delta clinics around the country.

While we are grateful for the progress we’ve made, the most recent virus variants make it clear that more work remains ahead. The COVID-19 pandemic is a global health crisis, and one of the most dangerous challenges our world has faced in this lifetime. Over the past few weeks, the fight has changed with the rise of the B.1.617.2 variant – a very aggressive form of the virus. Our Chief Health Officer, Dr. Henry Ting, describes the variant as a “heat-seeking missile” that transmits predominantly through the unvaccinated community.

According to Dr. Ting, while breakthrough cases among the vaccinated do occur, the vast majority of those are mild and often present no symptoms at all. However, the variant has resulted in a significant rise in hospitalizations and deaths, almost entirely impacting those who have not yet been vaccinated. While we can be proud of our 75% vaccination rate, the aggressiveness of the variant means we need to get many more of our people vaccinated, and as close to 100% as possible.

We’ve always known that vaccinations are the most effective tool to keep our people safe and healthy in the face of this global health crisis. That’s why we’re taking additional, robust actions to increase our vaccination rate:

• Effective immediately, unvaccinated employees are required to wear masks in all indoor Delta settings. This requirement will remain in place until community case rates stabilize.
• Starting Sept. 12, any U.S. employee who is not fully vaccinated will be required to take a COVID test each week while community case rates are high. Those with a positive result will need to isolate and remain out of the workplace.
• Beginning Nov. 1, unvaccinated employees enrolled in Delta’s account-based healthcare plan will be subject to a $200 monthly surcharge. The average hospital stay for COVID-19 has cost Delta $50,000 per person. This surcharge will be necessary to address the financial risk the decision to not vaccinate is creating for our company. In recent weeks since the rise of the B.1.617.2 variant, all Delta employees who have been hospitalized with COVID were not fully vaccinated.
• Effective Sept. 30, in compliance with state and local laws, COVID pay protection will only be provided to fully vaccinated individuals who are experiencing a breakthrough infection.

More details will be coming soon from your divisional leaders.

I know some of you may be taking a wait-and-see approach or waiting for full FDA approval. With this week’s announcement that the FDA has granted full approval for the Pfizer vaccine, the time for you to get vaccinated is now. We can be confident that the Pfizer vaccine is safe and effective, and has undergone the same rigorous review for other approved medications to treat cancer and heart disease, as well as other vaccines.

If you aren’t fully vaccinated, I strongly urge you to discuss the issue with your personal physician or health provider. In addition, testing and vaccination information is available on Deltanet, and Dr. Ting provides regular, informative updates on the state of the virus and the tools available to keep yourself and your loved ones safe and healthy.

Protecting yourself, your colleagues, your loved ones and your community is fundamental to the shared values that have driven our success for nearly a century. Vaccinations are the safest, most effective, and most powerful tool we have to achieve our goals, live up to our values and move forward.

Ed

Delta Air Lines has ordered 30 additional Airbus A321neo aircraft to help meet the airline’s future fleet requirements. The newly-ordered aircraft are in addition to the airline’s existing orders for 125 of the type, bringing the outstanding orders from Delta to a total of 155 A321neos.

Delta’s A321neos will be powered by next-generation Pratt & Whitney PW1100G turbofan engines that bring significant efficiency gains over Delta’s current, already-efficient A321 aircraft.  Equipped with total seating for 194 customers with 20 in First Class, 42 in Delta Comfort+ and 132 in the Main Cabin, Delta’s A321neos will be deployed primarily across the airline’s extensive domestic network, complementing Delta’s current A321 fleet of more than 120 aircraft. The airline is slated to receive the first of its 155 A321neo aircraft early next year.

Many of Delta’s A321neos will be delivered from the Airbus U.S. Manufacturing Facility in Mobile, Alabama. The airline has taken delivery of 87 U.S.-manufactured Airbus aircraft since 2016.

As of the end of July, Delta’s fleet of Airbus aircraft numbered 358, including 50 A220 aircraft, 240 A320 Family members, 53 A330 wide bodies, and 15 A350 XWB aircraft.