Delta: Inaugural JFK-LYS Today

Quote:
ATLANTA, July 17, 2008 – Delta Air Lines (NYSE: DAL) today begins service between New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport and Saint-Exupéry International Airport in Lyon, France, offering the only nonstop flight between the United States and France’s second-largest city. Through the airline’s joint venture with Air France, the new Delta flight also connects customers to 40 European destinations via Lyon.

DL174 / AF8987
Departs: New York-JFK at 4:30 p.m.
Arrives: Lyon at 7:05 a.m. (arrives the following day)
5 x week

DL175 / AF8992
Departs: Lyon at 9:30 a.m.
Arrives: New York-JFK at 12:15 p.m.
July 18, 2008
5 x week

The ETOPS 757-200 arriving LYS today:

Delta Connects Global Customers with Nonstop Service between New York-JFK and Lyon, France

Capitalizing on its joint venture with Air France, Delta’s new nonstop service from JFK offers easy connections to 40 European cities from Lyon

ATLANTA, July 17, 2008 – Delta Air Lines (NYSE: DAL) today begins service between New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport and Saint-Exupéry International Airport in Lyon, France, offering the only nonstop flight between the United States and France’s second-largest city.  Through the airline’s joint venture with Air France, the new Delta flight also connects customers to 40 European destinations via Lyon.

Delta links the United States nonstop to more French cities than any other airline. The Lyon flight complements Delta’s existing daily nonstop service between Paris Charles de Gaulle International Airport and New York-JFK, Atlanta, Cincinnati and Salt Lake City; and to Nice from New York-JFK.  The flight forms part of Delta’s growing international network, which now operates more than 450 weekly flights to 47 destinations in 31 countries in Europe, Africa, Asia, India and the Middle East, more than any other airline.

“Our new service to Lyon – France’s second-largest city, a thriving business destination and a growing tourist gateway to the Alps – strengthens Delta’s position as the leading carrier across the Atlantic,” said Lee Macenczak, executive vice president – Sales and Marketing. “Together with our joint venture partner Air France we offer passengers the best travel options between the U.S. and Europe, the Middle East and Africa.”

“Not only is this new service between New York and Lyon part and parcel of our global offer with Delta Air Lines in the frame of our joint venture agreement, but it also consolidates the very specific hub system that we have been successfully building in Lyon over the past 10 years,” said Jean Claude Cros, Air France’s vice president and general manager-USA.  “In Lyon we offer quick and convenient connections from and to 40 European cities as well as a premium nonstop flight for our clients of the large Rhône-Alpes and Central Eastern area of France.”

Delta’s new nonstop service between New York-JFK and Lyon will be operated using a Boeing 757-200 ETOPS aircraft with up to 174 seats in a two-cabin configuration, including 16 seats in Delta’s award-winning BusinessElite service and 158 economy class.  Delta’s BusinessElite service features all-leather sleeper seats, innovative food offerings from celebrity chef Michelle Bernstein and award-winning, original wine selections chosen by Master Sommelier Andrea Robinson.  The airline’s on-demand personal in-seat entertainment boasts more than 20 first-run and popular classic movies, a variety of TV programs, a broad range of music, and a suite of 12 video games in both classes of service.  Economy class customers also benefit from new all-leather economy seats, amenity kits and enhanced food offerings.  Flights between New York and Lyon will have English- and French-speaking flight attendants onboard.

Delta customers traveling to Lyon can also take advantage of U.S. Helicopter service, which provides an eight-minute trip between New York-JFK and Manhattan.  U.S. Helicopter service is complimentary with Delta’s BusinessElite service to and from JFK*, or $159** one way plus taxes and fees.  See below for details.

Delta’s nonstop service from New York-JFK to Lyon is scheduled as follows: 

Flight	Departs	Arrives	Effective	Frequency
DL174 / AF8987	New York-JFK at 4:30 p.m.	Lyon at 7:05 a.m. (arrives the following day)	July 17, 2008	5 x week
DL175 / AF8992	Lyon at 9:30 a.m.	New York-JFK at 12:15 p.m.	July 18, 2008	5 x week

A portion of travel for some itineraries may be operated by Air France.