Tag Archives: The Spirit of Seattle

Delta to acquire 20 Embraer E190s and 40 new Boeing 737-900ERs upon pilot ratification of the tentative agreement

Delta Air Lines (Atlanta) will enter into an aircraft acquisition deal with Boeing for 20 Embraer E190 aircraft and 40 additional new Boeing 737-900ERs upon ratification of a tentative agreement covering more than 12,000 Delta pilots. The tentative agreement was approved for membership ratification on June 10 by the Delta Master Executive Council (MEC) of the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA).

The tentative agreement provides enhancements to overall pilot compensation—including base pay increases—along with a revision of the airline’s profit sharing formula beginning in 2016. Additionally, this accord would secure additional career advancement opportunities for Delta pilots while providing the airline with productivity enhancements and further fleet flexibility across the airline’s U.S. domestic system.

The MEC will put the tentative agreement out to pilots for a ratification vote. If approved, the agreement would have an amendable date of December 31, 2018.

Upon ratification of the agreement, Delta will acquire 20 Boeing-held Embraer E190 aircraft previously operated by another carrier. The E190s will enter mainline Delta service in the fourth quarter of 2016.

“These 98-seat mainline aircraft will be flown by Delta pilots,” Anderson said. “The capability and aptitude of all Delta people has already shown that they are the best in the business at managing a diverse fleet while keeping costs in check and never compromising safety. These cost-efficient aircraft will play a key role as we strive to achieve higher returns for our shareholders, and we thank Boeing for their important partnership.”

The E190 will be deployed on U.S. domestic routes to improve the flying experience for Delta customers and continue the shift of flying away from inefficient 50-seat regional jets as part of the company’s successful upgauging strategy.

Delta will also order an additional 40 new Boeing 737-900ERs, augmenting an existing order of the efficient and reliable aircraft to 140 in total. Delta plans to deploy these aircraft as replacements for other narrowbody aircraft scheduled to retire through 2019.

Negotiating committees for Delta and ALPA reached a tentative agreement on June 4. In the ensuing days, the tentative agreement was reviewed and subsequently approved by the Delta MEC on June 10.

In other news, Delta Air Lines (DAL) unveiled the completion of a three-year terminal-wide refurbishment of Terminal 5 at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), including the airline’s first private check-in lounge, Delta ONE at LAX. The $229-million Delta project was completed in partnership with Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA) and the City of Los Angeles.

Copyright Photo: Michael B. Ing/AirlinersGallery.com. Boeing 737-932 ER N809DN (msn 31915) named “The Spirit of Seattle” departs from Los Angeles International Airport.

Delta Air Lines aircraft slide show (current livery):

Delta redefines its cabins, upgrades the Premium Economy options

Delta Air Lines (Atlanta) today announced it is also redefining its travel products with this announcement:

Delta Air Lines is redefining the products it offers customers to further distinguish the choices available to them. Delta will offer best-in-class options for each of its customer segments with innovative multi-cabin experiences. Customers will have five products to choose from, including Delta One, First Class and Delta Comfort+ which offer premium amenities. Main Cabin and Basic Economy service will offer value options with Delta’s high standards of service.

Photo: Delta Air Lines. The new Boeing 737 First Class.

“We’re providing Delta customers with a thoughtful, well-defined spectrum of options as they make decisions about travel,” said Glen Hauenstein, Executive Vice President and Chief Revenue Officer. “Whether a customer prioritizes the perks of Delta One or the value of Basic Economy, every seat comes with impeccable service and unmatched reliability.”

Providing an easy-to-recognize range of products and a high level of service is the latest step in Delta’s strategy to offer differentiated experiences to customers seeking to tailor travel to their specific needs.

Photo: Delta Air Lines. The Delta Comfort Plus cabin.

Starting March 1, 2015, Delta customers can choose between:

Delta One, formerly BusinessElite, is offered on long-haul international routes; also between New York-JFK and Los Angeles or San Francisco*
First Class is offered on short-haul international and domestic routes**
Delta Comfort+ offers an upgraded experience on all two cabin aircraft around the world
Main Cabin experience is provided everywhere Delta flies offering a high standard of customer service
Basic Economy offers Main Cabin service with fewer flexibility options available in select markets.

*Delta One full flat-bed and Delta Comfort+ seat upgrades between New York and San Francisco are projected to be complete in the spring of 2015. **Select international flights may offer Business Class service in lieu of First Class. Amenities in the Business cabin may vary by flight and aircraft.

Chart of services by class:

Read the analysis by Bloomberg Businessweek: CLICK HERE

Copyright Photo: Michael B. Ing/AirlinersGallery.com. The “Spirit of Seattle” arrives in Los Angeles. Boeing 737-932 ER N809DN (msn 31915) has been decorating with the special markings.

Delta Air Lines aircraft slide show (current livery):

Video: Delta Air Lines is introducing branded products to further distinguish the variety of choices to improve the travel experience. Each of the five distinct products – Delta One, First Class, Delta Comfort+, Main Cabin and Basic Economy – will be available starting March 1, 2015.