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Delta opens first biometric self-service bag drop in U.S.By Ashton Morrow · posted June 19, 2017
MINNEAPOLIS - Delta today introduced four self-service bag drop machines at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport as part of the airline*s commitment to transforming the travel experience with meaningful investments that make travel easy and enjoyable.
The $600,000 investment allows customers to quickly, securely and easily check their own bags. One machine will be used to test facial recognition technology to match customers with their passport photos through identification verification, a first for U.S. carriers. Self-service bag drops have the potential to process twice as many customers per hour, studies have shown.
**For customers, this technology eliminates friction and offers the opportunity to design your own experience,** said Toby Broberg, V.P. – Airport Customer Service, Minneapolis-St. Paul (MSP). **And the self-service aspect will free up more Delta people, giving our agents added flexibility in their interactions with customers to deliver on the excellent service for which Delta is known.**
In addition to the self-service bag drop trial, Delta is pioneering other innovative, industry-leading customer solutions including RFID baggage handling, real-time bag tracking via the Fly Delta mobile app, more efficient automated screening lanes and a groundbreaking app that helps pilots avoid turbulence for a more comfortable flight. Delta has introduced a first-of-its-kind biometric boarding pass at Reagan National airport in Washington, D.C., and has been working with U.S. Customs and Border Protection to test biometric exit screening technologies in Atlanta.
At MSP, customers with bags to check will stop at the updated kiosks to print their bag tags. They will then head to the self-service bag drop machines where they will scan their boarding pass and go through the self-service process. This machine quickly weighs a customer*s bag and submits it into the system.
Car seats, golf clubs and other oversized bags will be processed through a special lane with an agent*s assistance.
MSP, Delta*s second-largest hub, was selected for the trial because the airline continues to invest in this key market and with a lobby renovation upcoming, there will be an opportunity to see if this new model improves the experience for Delta customers. The airline will collect and analyze customer feedback from the trial to ensure that this lobby enhancement improves the customer experience.
20.06.2017. 15:38 Delta One Suite and Delta Premium Select on saleJune 19, 2017
Delta began selling its Delta One suites and Delta Premium Select fare on June 17. The new Delta Premium Select cabin and the Delta One suite product enhancement will debut on Delta*s first Airbus A350, due to enter service in fall 2017 with its first flight taking place on Oct. 30, 2017, from Detroit (DTW) to Narita (NRT). Delta will be the first U.S. airline to take delivery of the A350, which provides better fuel efficiency and customer-friendly features designed to improve the flying experience.
In addition to the DTW-NRT flight, Delta Premium Select will be sold on select flights from DTW to Incheon (ICN) for flights scheduled Nov. 16, 2017, and beyond, as well as on select flights from DTW to Beijing (PEK) for flights scheduled Jan. 17, 2018, and beyond.
These enhancements are part of the airline*s multi-billion dollar investment in the customer experience that includes a cabin modernization program featuring new seats, seatback entertainment systems with free entertainment, high-capacity overhead bins, access to Wi-Fi on nearly all flights, free Main Cabin meals on select flights, upgraded free Main Cabin snacks, chef-curated meals in Delta One, a seasonal wine program, an Alessi-designed collection of serviceware in Delta One and First Class, and more.
Delta has also made significant investments in the customer experience on the ground, in addition to plans to add nearly 250 new aircraft to its fleet in coming years. These include new Delta Sky Club locations in Denver, Atlanta, and Seattle; Club renovations in Nashville, Dallas, Newark, and Minneapolis-St. Paul; airport enhancement programs in Atlanta, Los Angeles, New York and Salt Lake City; and the testing and implementation of an enhanced boarding process in Atlanta.
Designed with an emphasis on exceptional customer comfort and privacy, the Delta One suite will offer each customer a private space accessed by a sliding door with thoughtfully designed personal stowage areas, an advanced in-flight entertainment system and premium trim and finishes to create an unparalleled business class experience with a comfortable, residential feel.
In addition to the existing Delta One service and full flat-bed seats with direct aisle access that have been part of the Delta offering for over eight years, the Delta One suite will feature:
• A full-height door at every suite
• Sliding privacy dividers between center suites
• In-suite, customizable ambient lighting
• Dedicated stowage compartments for shoes, headphones and laptops
• Contemporary design featuring premium trim and finishes
• Memory foam-enhanced comfort cushion
• An 18-inch, high resolution in-flight entertainment monitor, among the largest in its class
• A universal power outlet and high-powered USB port at every seat
Delta One service also includes the features Delta customers have grown to expect, such as chef-curated meals, wine pairings by Delta*s Master Sommelier Andrea Robinson, Westin Heavenly In-Flight Bedding, noise-canceling LSTN headphones, TUMI amenity kits featuring Kiehl*s Since 1851 premium skincare, and in-flight loungewear on select flights.
Delta Premium Select will feature:
• More personal space with up to 38 inches of pitch, up to 19 inches of width and up to seven inches of recline. Delta Premium Select seats will also offer adjustable leg rests and head rests
• Westin Heavenly In-Flight Blanket and pillow; TUMI amenity kit featuring Malin+Goetz Travel Essentials; noise-canceling LSTN headphones
• Pre-departure beverage service followed by fresh, seasonal menu selections presented with Alessi serviceware designed exclusively for Delta
• An up to 13.3-inch, high resolution in-flight entertainment screen that is among the largest in its class, allowing customers to stay entertained with Delta Studio*s industry-leading library of complimentary movies, shows and games, and noise-cancelling headphones
• In-seat power ports for large and small devices and convenient storage to keep them within reach
• Sky Priority service, which includes faster check-in, accelerated security, premium boarding and expedited baggage service.
In 2014, Delta began introducing differentiated experiences for customers through a well-defined range of options, allowing customers to tailor travel to their specific needs. All cabin experiences offer a high level of service and Delta*s unmatched operational reliability.
The long-range Airbus A350 will continue Delta*s optimization of its Pacific network, operating primarily on long-range routes between the U.S. and Asia. The jets are expected to generate a 20 percent improvement in operating cost per seat compared to the Boeing 747-400 aircraft they will replace.
Following the A350 debut, the Delta One suite will progressively roll out on Delta*s Boeing 777 fleet.
20.06.2017. 15:34 Delta Announces Launch Of Cash Tender Offer To Acquire Additional Shares Of Grupo AeroméxicoFeb 13, 2017
Share purchases could increase ownership stake in Grupo Aeroméxico to up to 49 percent
ATLANTA and MEXICO CITY , Feb. 13, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Delta Air Lines (NYSE: DAL) today launched a cash tender offer through the Mexican Stock Exchange to acquire up to an additional 32 percent of the outstanding capital stock of Grupo Aeroméxico S.A.B. de C.V. (BMV: AEROMEX) for MXN $53.00 per share. The difference from the previously announced tender price of MXN $43.59 is the result of interim exchange rate movements and other factors. Completion of the cash tender offer is subject to certain conditions including acceptance of the offer by holders of at least twenty-five percent (25%) of the outstanding shares of Grupo Aeroméxico and receipt of required antitrust approvals in Mexico.
Currently, Delta owns approximately 4.2 percent of the outstanding shares of Grupo Aeroméxico and holds options to acquire an additional 12.8 percent. If fully subscribed, following completion of the tender offer, Delta would own and/or have options to acquire up to a total of 49 percent of the outstanding shares of Grupo Aeroméxico.
**This is the next step in expanding our longstanding relationship with Aeromexico, a partnership built on our shared commitment to our customers in the U.S. and Mexico ,** said Ed Bastian , Delta*s Chief Executive Officer. **The tender offer and investment will further strengthen the relationship that will be established when our joint cooperation agreement is implemented in the second quarter.**
Delta and Aeroméxico launched their first codeshare in 1994. In 2011, Delta entered into an enhanced commercial agreement with Aeroméxico, and in 2012, Delta invested USD $65 million in shares of Grupo Aeroméxico, the parent company of Aeroméxico. In March 2015 , Delta and Aeroméxico entered into a joint cooperation agreement relating to flights between the United States and Mexico and the parties filed an application with the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) seeking approval of the agreement and immunity from the United States antitrust laws for the joint cooperation. The agreement also was submitted for approval to the Mexican antitrust authorities, the Mexican Comisión Federal de Competencia Económica ( Federal Economic Competition Commission or COFECE). In April 2016 , COFECE issued its resolution regarding the proposed joint cooperation agreement, through which, the authorization of this agreement was subject to the acceptance of and compliance with certain requirements. In December 2016 , the DOT issued a final order granting approval of, and immunity from the United States antitrust laws with respect to, the joint cooperation agreement, subject to certain conditions. Delta and Aeromexico have accepted the conditions required by COFECE and DOT and are in the process of implementing the required remedies.
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