Hello Everyone,

This week at Minneapolis–St. Paul International Airport, we are excited to begin rolling out an amazing combination of high-quality food and beverages and hi-tech amenities that will change the way passengers experience the airport.

So far, nearly 250 iPads have been deployed among three new local chef-driven restaurants on Concourse G. But, by the time we are finished with this project at the end of 2013, there will be 2,500 iPads among 12 new restaurants and fresh markets. Additionally, all of the seating in the gate areas will be renovated to incorporate iPads and make more efficient use of the space.

We feel that the iPads are a great addition for our customers as they will be able to use them for a variety of different things.  The will be able to order food, browse the web and track their flight information. After speaking with some customers, I have gathered that the technology helps them to feel more comfortable and in control as they can relax while they dine rather than having to stay near the gate to track their flight status.

The three new restaurants are Minnibar – an upscale sandwich bar from Twin Cities resident and TV personality Andrew Zimmern; Mimosa – a French country eatery and raw bar from Chef Russell Klein of St. Paul’s Meritage; and Shoyu – a modern Japanese restaurant and sushi bar from Tanpopo’s Koshiko Yonemura. I had the Sake sushi roll at Shoyu earlier this week and, I must say, it was outstanding!

Our partners at OTG Management are working hard to help bring these amazing food and technology to the airport.

Improving the experience at MSP airport is our way of showing that we are listening and committed to investing in our hub. We hope that these enhancements on the ground, coupled with our in-flight investments, such as full flatbed seats in BusinessElite and Wi-Fi on more than 800 aircraft, will make for a unique traveling experience on Delta that no other carrier can match.

Thanks,

Bill Lentsch – SVP Minnesota Operations

This past April 2012, a major milestone was achieved at Delta when our workhorse MD-88 fleet reached its 25^th birthday with the company.

It was on April 1, 1987 that the first “MaDDog” in Delta’s livery, took to the skies with revenue passengers.  Ronald Reagan was President; Bon Jovi’s “Livin’ on a Prayer” was at the top of the record charts, “Cheers” was a ratings leader on television and “Lethal Weapon” was a huge box office smash.  A quarter century later, the MD-88 is still hard at work, and with a recent face lift, doing so with modern style and enhanced comfort for our customers.  Reflecting on the changes witnessed by the 88’s over the years is fascinating.  For example, in-flight WiFi, now a staple on the MD-88 fleet, was not even on the planning charts in 1987.  In fact, the internet, still in its infancy, was mostly a specialized collection of USENET newsgroups for colleges and scientists.  Indeed, the MD88’s have seen a period of tremendous progress and exciting change during their careers at Delta.

The design of the McDonnell Douglas MD-80 series evolved from that of the Douglas DC-9, an aircraft first flown by Delta in November, 1965.  Owing to successive “stretches” in the DC-9 family, the MD-80 series features about twice the passenger capacity of the first DC-9-14’s, along with significantly more powerful and efficient JT8D-219 engines.

Delta placed its initial order for 30 MD-88s in January 1986, with options for 50 more.   Delta’s leadership, anxious to ingest additional capacity into the fleet as rapidly as possible concurrent with the Western Airlines merger, elected to take the first eight ships in the order as model MD-82’s, the forerunner to the MD-88.  These were Ships 901-908 (N901DL-N908DL), delivered in March-May, 1987.  Ultimately, these aircraft were modified by Delta to MD-88 configuration with the more advanced flight deck in 1988.

Delta had four MD-82s in service with its April 1, 1987 schedule.  The inaugural cities served were Atlanta, Austin, Birmingham, Cincinnati, Jackson, Dallas/Ft. Worth, Houston, Oklahoma City, Little Rock, Shreveport, and Washington, DC.

One early ship is especially noteworthy from a historical perspective.  Delta’s MD-82, Ship 905 (N905DL), was the symbolic centerpiece of merger ceremonies between Delta and Western Airlines in April 1987. The aircraft carried a decal showing a thumbs-up version of “Wally bird” logo, the long-time Western Airlines marketing symbol, fixed just beside the Delta widget logo on the forward part of Ship 905.  Ship 905 was on display at Delta/Western employee merger ceremonies in Los Angeles on April 1, and the next day for employees in Salt Lake City.

MD-88

MD-88’s began arriving at Delta with Ship 909 (N909DL) in December 1987. Delta placed its first MD-88 into service on January 5, 1988.  As compared to the early MD-82’s, the MD-88 had an updated “glass cockpit” with digital displays powered by cathode ray tubes (CRTs).   This advanced avionics package eventually allowed Delta crews to shoot Category 3 instrument approaches.   The MD-88 also featured aerodynamics improvements, including a redesigned (“screwdriver tip”) tail cone.

The MD-88 was delivered with a wider than usual 22-inch aisle in the coach cabin.  Another new feature were  handrails along the edge of the overhead bins, adding to the comfort and safety of passengers moving through the cabin.  The final MD-88 (ship 9020) was delivered to Delta in December 1993.

Today, with approximately 115 ships still in service, the MD-88 soldiers on, like an old friend.  Still very competent in the execution of the duties it was first obtained to perform a quarter century ago.

Each Earth Day we ask you to “go green” and give a little back to the planet that gives you so much. And if you’ve decided to make a contribution to reduce your carbon footprint from the miles you travel on your next trip with Delta, you’re probably wondering, “what happens next?”

When you fly Delta and contribute to reduce your carbon footprint through The Nature Conservancy, your money is really making a difference to help fund forest conservation projects. Contributions from Delta passengers have already helped to restore over 400 acres of forest in the Tensas River Basin of Louisiana. This project is predicted to store over 110,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide (CO2), which is like taking more than 20,000 cars off the road for an entire year, not to mention will also provide habitat for wildlife such as birds, black bears, mussels and fish.

In 2011 alone, Delta passengers contributed almost $100,000 toward the project – in addition, Delta matched just over $18,000 in passenger donations in April 2011 for Earth Month.

Now, Delta passengers who make contributions to The Nature Conservancy will help support a new project, which protects the diverse wildlife of theMayaForestinBelize. You’re helping to save little guys like a spider monkey in the forest canopy at Rio Bravo, Belize.

The Rio Bravo Climate Action Project, a 15,500 acre- area located in the Central American corridor, has produced millions of tons of carbon benefits by conserving forest that would have otherwise been cut down for agriculture. The Maya Forest is home to 200 species of trees, 400 species of birds (20-25% migratory species), 70 species of mammals and 39 species of at-risk animals including the Jaguar, Puma, Margay, Ocelot, the Howler and Spider Monkeys. The project has been validated and verified according to the Verified Carbon Standard (“VCS”), a global leader in guiding credible quantification of carbon benefits and issuing credits for carbon emissions avoided.

To donate when booking your next flight, select “Learn More” under “A Greener Wayto Fly” at the bottom of your confirmation page. Be sure to read more about Delta’s environmental efforts as well—they’re doing a lot to improve carbon offsets. You can also support The Nature Conservancy by making additional contributions, donating SkyMiles through Delta’s SkyWish program, or joining The Nature Conservancy’s online community to learn more about how you can help protect our world. And remember, we’re matching a donation from Delta of up to $25,000 of the total passenger contributions in the month of April, so now is a great time to “go green”!

Nicole V.

The Nature Conservancy