Jaunted - Tag: delta

Delta Uniforms Are So Hot for '09

pbb — 2008-08-22T15:30:15-05:00

Once (and if) Delta and Northwest finally wrap up that merger they've been hyping, all 22,000 flight attendants at the new super-carrier will be wearing the same, Richard Tyler-designed duds.

Northwest cabin crews are probably looking forward to the change, even though it'll mean switching up their wardrobe: The carrier originally promised new uniforms after emerging from bankruptcy last year, but they never materialized.

As for other corporate stuff, Delta is prepping a quick shift in cocktail napkins, in-flight magazines and other logo gear to wipe the word Northwest from the post-merger carrier. If all goes to plan, NWA could be but a memory as soon as next summer.

Related Stories:
· Ahead of Merger, Delta Preps New Look [WSJ]
· Airline Mergers coverage [Jaunted]

[Not a photo of the Tyler uniforms: The Atlantic]

Travel Snapshots: Airline CEOs Taking Their Case to the People

pbb — 2008-08-13T12:35:10-05:00

We settled into our seat on a Delta flight on Saturday and took a look at the offerings in the seatback pocket in front of us. Skymall catalog, check. Safety card, check. Wait, what's this one-page thing signed by a bunch of airline CEOs?

Oh, it's a laminated copy of the whiny open letter they circulated in July, asking us to write to Congress on their behalf to get those dastardly "speculators" out of the commodities markets. How splendidly tacky!

Related Stories:
· The Airlines Have Had It with These Global Oil Markets! [Jaunted]
· Travel Snapshots coverage [Jaunted]

Airline Mergers: Delta-Northwest Deal May Actually Happen

pbb — 2008-08-11T17:04:36-05:00

It's been a bit since we last heard from Delta and Northwest about their forthcoming tie-up. But today Delta announced that pilots for both airlines have agreed to a "joint contract" that will cover all 12,000 of them when the merger is completed "later this year."

According to the Associated Press, the pilots still haven't figured out a way to combine their seniority lists--which decide who flies where and how much they're paid--but will agree to binding arbitration if they can't make a deal.

Though European regulators have already approved the merger, antitrust G-men in the US still have to give it the OK, as do shareholders. That later group might be encouraged to give it a nod if they believe what one industry analyst said today: Delta could turn a profit in 2009 if oil stays at its current price of about $115 a barrel.

Related Stories:
· Delta and Northwest Pilots Approve Joint Collective Bargaining Agreement [Official Site]
· Voting Deadline Looms for Delta, NWA Agreement [AP, via Google]
· UAL, Delta May Lead Carriers to Profit [Bloomberg]
· Airline Mergers coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo: Drewski2112]

Dark Horse Delta Announces Massive In-Flight WiFi Rollout

pbb — 2008-08-05T09:12:36-05:00

Look out, American Airlines. Delta announced this morning that it will install in-flight WiFi on more than 330 planes by summer of 2009.

The carrier will partner with Aircell, the same company that's behind the wireless offerings planned for AA and Virgin America. The company uses cellular technology, meaning the service will only be available on domestic flights.

First up for WiFi will be Delta's 133 MD-88/90s. Soon after, the carrier will install the system across more than 200 737s, 757s and 767-300s.

Related Stories:
· Delta to Offer Broadband Access on Entire Domestic Fleet [Official Site]
· Coming Soon-ish: Virgin's Own In-Flight WiFi [Jaunted]
· In-Flight WiFi coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo: matt.hintsa]

Tegucigalpa: Fear of Flying Travel: Delta Planning New Service into Terrifying TGU

pbb — 2008-07-23T11:20:22-05:00

Just because Toncontin International in Tegucigalpa, Honduras is one of the most dangerous airports on Earth doesn't mean Delta doesn't wanna fly some jets down there. So starting December 18, subject to governmental approval, the airline plans to start daily 737 service to TGU out of Atlanta.

A couple of things are worth noting, first and foremost the fact that the brand-new 737-700s Delta plans to use will be small and nimble enough to handle the short runway and high altitude at Toncontin. Still, if you're not a fan of elaborate airborne maneuvers, you'd probably prefer flying into San Pedro Sula, less than a couple hours away, where the runway is big, flat and, you know, not deadly.

Also worth mentioning is that, yes, indeed, flights are being allowed into TGU. After a crash at the airport earlier this year, Honduran President Manuel Zelaya ordered all flights diverted to Palmerola Air Base, north of Tegucigalpa. But on July 7, Toncontin was reopened to commercial flights because the military installation still wasn't ready to handle passengers.

Related Stories:
· Details on Delta's New Service to TGU [Official Site]
· World's Most Dangerous Airports: Toncontin, TGU [Jaunted]

[Photo: egmb757lover]

New York: Baller Travel: Delta Partners with US Helicopter for "Free" Flights

pbb — 2008-07-21T16:56:39-05:00

Delta has just announced a deal with US Helicopter to fly first class and unrestricted economy passengers between Manhattan and JFK for free, as long as you purchase your tickets by August 29. The chopper shuttle service, which we tried out earlier this month, usually costs $165 one-way, including taxes and fees.

Obviously, if you're spending a few thousand bucks on a plane ticket, you probably wouldn't mind shelling out for a helicopter ride, too. But it's a nice perk for a small slice of Delta's passengers--and a move that emphasizes a focus on service and comfort in an industry currently serving up nothing but horrible news.

Related Stories:
· Delta's Offers Complimentary US Helicopter Service [Official Site]
· Delta coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo: US Helicopter]

1980s Travel: Menudo Member Tossed from Flight

pbb — 2008-07-16T17:00:18-05:00

Did you know that Menudo still exists? Apparently the Latin boy band is still around, and one of its current members, Carlos Olivero, got tossed off a Delta flight on the Fourth of July after not complying with a flight attendant's request to stow his iPod.

According to a source quoted by People:

A flight attendant accused Carlos of having an attitude after she asked him to turn off his iPod in preparation for takeoff. Carlos complied and turned his iPod off, but the flight attendant then demanded he stow it. Carlos showed her again that the iPod was turned off, but he refused to stow it.

Come on, folks! How many federal trials will passengers have to face before you realize that you're required to do what FAs tell you?

As for Carlos, he and his mother were booted, and the rest of the band decided to join them in waiting for another flight. They eventually made it to Knoxville, where they performed in front of 75,000 fans still living in the '80s.

Related Stories:
· Menudo Member Kicked Off Delta Flight [People, via]
· Bad Seatmates coverage [Jaunted]