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Archive for July, 2010


We’re Listening. And Delivering.

Published July 29th, 2010 in delta.com | 27 Comments →

Over the past several months we have been talking with customers one-on-one about the SkyMiles program and other elite benefits in an effort to learn more about how we can improve our program. During our listening, five top themes emerged.  We’re excited to share with you some of the important changes we’ve made based directly on your feedback…

1.  We’re Improving the Award Calendar – We listened when you said our award calendar is tricky to use.  That’s why in May, we started re-engineering the Award Travel booking process and calendar on delta.com, with additional improvements coming online throughout the rest of the year. Our team is working on:

  • Improved display of award seats
  • Remodeled pricing and availability display of the calendar
  • Added search options and display flight amenities
  • Improved access to Award Travel reservations from the home page

If you check out the award calendar today, you’ll see several enhancements are already in place! Be sure to stay tuned as we make more improvements between now and December.

2.  We’re Making it Easy to Redeem SkyMiles Close to Departure – You were loud and clear in saying that you wanted SkyMiles rapid redemption fees within 21 days eliminated.  On June 2, we did just that.  Now you can redeem your SkyMiles within 21 days of departure with no additional fee, saving you between $75 and $150.

3.  We’re Improving 25,000-Mile Award Availability – At the same time we eliminated the Award Ticket redemption fees for frequent flyers, we also improved overall availability for 25,000 mile awards.  These changes have led to double-digit increases in award booking this summer, and we hope you’re seeing these changes as you peruse the award calendar for your next trip!  You can also check out our new Award Travel tips page designed to increase your access to 25,000-mile awards and help you redeem miles for travel in the next 21 days at the 25,000 mile level.

4.  We’re Offering More Complimentary Upgrades to More Medallions – In June, we added L, U and T fares to the Complimentary Medallion Companion Upgrade rules so that all paid fare classes qualify for this benefit. We have other upgrade related improvements in the works as well. Make sure to check out delta.com/whatsahead for the latest information.

5.  We’re Improving Sky Priority Boarding – While many of our Gold, Platinum and Diamond Medallion members have been happy with the new Sky Priority program, our conversations with customers made it clear there are still some changes you’d like to see. Here’s what we’ve been working on:

  • Improvements to the boarding process in June so that First/Business Class passengers pre-board the aircraft prior to the start of Zone 1 boarding.
  • Reaffirmed that Silver Medallion members continue to enjoy priority boarding using the Sky Priority lane in advance of general boarding for customers in Zones 3 and 4.

We have a lot of exciting things yet to come and will continue to deliver program improvements based on our members’ feedback. So, I’m curious. Have you noticed any of these changes? Have you tried any of these out yet? What do you think? Let’s keep the conversation going.

Jeff Robertson

Vice President, SkyMiles program

Hawaii Travel Tips

Published July 27th, 2010 in delta.com, Destinations, Vacations | 5 Comments →

One the best things about working for a travel company is being able to hear everyone’s stories of where they have been. I personally have never been to Hawaii, but I am fascinated by and wanted to get some tips of things to do when I do get to go. Here’s what I found:

Oahu

  • Climb to the top of Diamond Head, the view is definitely worth the hike.
  • Take a surfing lesson. Can you think of a better place to get a surfing lesson than on Waikiki Beach?!
  • Pearl Harbor is a must.
  • Visit the Dole Plantation–they have train rides, mazes, crafts, koi fish feeding and of course delicious pineapple…fun for the whole family.
  • Check out the Waimea Falls in the beautiful tropical garden in Oahu.
  • Honolulu Zoo has a “Snooze in the Zoo” allowing guests to stay overnight and enjoy storytelling, campfire songs and walking tours.   You can either set up tents or sleep under the stars.  If you don’t want to spend the night, take the “Twilight Tour” which offers a behind-the-scenes look at the lives of animals after the sun goes down.
  • See the famous Shangri La built in the 1930s on the Pacific Ocean over looking Diamond Head.  This home has a very extensive collection of Islamic Art and is considered one of Hawaii’s most architecturally significant homes.

Maui

  • Everyone should do the “Road to Hana” in Maui.  And if you decide to do it, rent or buy the tour guide CD because it tells you the cool spots to stop (waterfalls, pools, bamboo forests, black sand beaches, etc.) and it gives great history and information on the island.
  • If you’re going to watch the sunrise atop Mt. Haleakala on Maui remember it will get cold so bring a hat and jacket.  Also, you’ll need to get up very early, so go at the beginning of your vacation when you’re still adjusting to the time change.
  • You are in Hawaii so a luau is a must. Lahaina on Maui has some great ones.
  • Honolulu has a great Academy of Arts with over 50,000 pieces of art to enjoy.

Kauai

  • Take a helicopter tour of Kauai.  It’s an amazing way to see the island and feel like you are in Jurassic Park…minus the T-rex of course!
  • Cruise along the Na Pali Coast and drive the Waimea Canyon.
  • Go to the Kilauea Lighthouse and look for whales.
  • Visit Poipu Beach and see the monk seals sleeping.
  • Go to Puka Dog for the best hot dog you’ll ever eat.
  • Plan day trips and wear your bathing suit–all beaches are open to the public so it’s nice to end an adventure with a few beach stops on the way home. (You usually can’t drive more than 10 miles without hitting a “large” beach with parking and bathroom facilities).
  • Rent snorkel gear for the week. If you snorkel 3 days it will usually pay for itself.  Avoid getting it at your hotel and rent it from surf shops at the beach ($30/week compared to $21/week).

Big Island

  • Take a day trip up a volcano at the Volcanoes National Park.  You can witness lava flowing from the active volcanoes.

What are some of your must-do’s in Hawaii?

Delta Archives Contest: What Is It?

Published July 23rd, 2010 in History | 185 Comments →

Do you recognize this little stainless steel/plastic case with the flip top? It once was a standard piece of airline equipment.

Let us know your best guess. The first person (sorry, excluding employees) to leave a reply below with the correct answer wins a small prize from the Delta Archives goodie closet.  The winner will be announced next week.

Good luck!

Marie Force

Archives Manager

From the Delta Archives: Flying Mad Men Style

Published July 16th, 2010 in delta.com, History | 1 Comment →

Inspired by our Mad Men Jet Set Sweepstakes, going on now until August 2, I found one of my favorite ad photos from Delta’s early jet travel era. Here you have a birds-eye view of the “Club Compartment” lounge of a Delta Convair 880 (click on the image to see details).

It’s very early Jet Age with everyone wearing suits or stiletto pumps and fur to fly. The ”stewardess” is serving complimentary champagne. She wears a uniform designed by Edith Head, “Fashion Chief” of Paramount movie studios.

The Club Compartment’s seats are “modern, molded white Fiberglas, with rich Chinese red contrasting upholstery” – and ashtrays in every arm. Delta ads promised: “The stimulating decor invites conversation, makes friends of all occupants in short order” where “conversation is unstrained and audibility is as good as in your own living room.” If your fellow passengers failed to entertain, there was always Delta’s other IFE options: magazines, some postcards and stationary for letter-writing, and packs of playing cards!

Learn more about Delta’s Convair 880 fleet:

Marie Force

Archives Manager

Celebrate the Return of Mad Men – Enter the Jet Set Sweeps!

Published July 8th, 2010 in New York City, Onboard | 3 Comments →

Since AMC’s Mad Men flew (and I use the word flew literally as it has had a consistent presence on our in-flight entertainment) on to the scene three years ago, we’ve been obsessed with the show. Delicious drama, a glimpse into a different world and time, humor, wit all wrapped together with sophistication and sex?—Love it.

As the relationship between Delta and Mad Men grew through seasons 2 and 3 it became obvious that not only did we love all things Mad Men—all of you (our customers) did as well.

Through our Sterling-Cooper-Draper-Pryce-like wheeling and dealing to secure more great episodes for our in-flight catalogue, it became obvious that through this mutual love affair between Mad Men and Delta a love child that would benefit you, our customers should be born—voila the Mad Men Jet Set Sweepstakes!

We can’t help our customers love or look like the characters of Mad Men, but we can help you travel Mad Men style—style worthy of passionate whirlwind vacation or chicly sophisticated getaway. Here’s the best part: You get to choose which Mad Men Jet Set matches your style: New York or LA.

Now through August 2nd we’re giving you a chance to win your choice of a vacation including airfare on Delta Air Lines and hotel accommodations for you and your guest!

Jump over to madjetsetsweeps.com now for more details and enter for your chance to win.

Oh—and if you haven’t been hooked already, be sure to tune in Sunday, July 25 for the Season 4 premiere of AMC’s Mad Men. There’s a reason for all of the hype and back-to-back Emmy’s®. The show is amazing.

Hope you’re having a great summer!

Chris B.
Sr. Product Manager
In-Flight Entertainment