Private jet and commercial service together in one card.  Introducing the Air Elite Card

Did you know Delta is the only commercial airline with a private jet fleet?

It’s true. In fact, our private jet subsidiary Delta AirElite offers more than 25 years of experience in aircraft charter and management service, providing a flexible, comfortable and convenient travel options.

Now, we’re making it easier and more rewarding than ever to enjoy the best of both – Delta and Delta AirElite. We recently launched the Air Elite Card, offering the option to book private jet and commercial travel with just one call to our dedicated concierge team. With one call, premium travelers can now experience the ultimate travel solution.  Cardholders enjoy exclusive benefits including:

• Simple and competitive “all-in” private jet rates locked in for up to two years
• Guaranteed availability 365 days per year (Peak Day restrictions apply)
• Choose a light, midsize or large cabin private jet or airline service on a trip-by-trip basis

• 20% savings on qualifying Delta flights when booked in conjunction with a Delta AirElite flight segment

• Two complimentary Premium Class Delta tickets upon purchase or renewal
• Immediate complimentary SkyMiles® Diamond Medallion® status for you and a companion (or two to gift), which includes Delta Sky Club® membership, mileage bonuses and unlimited complimentary upgrades
• Delta AirElite’s award-winning concierge service and Sky Priority™ benefits, such as priority check-in and boarding, expedited security, and baggage service

Seamless private jet and commercial travel – personalized to when and how you want it.

To purchase the Air Elite Card today or for more information, please call 877-541-3548 or contact us by email at airelitecard@airelite.com.

And if you are already a customer, we’d love to hear from you! Drop us a line or two in the comments section.

Kelley Moore

Manager – Delta AirElite Business Jets

Terms & Conditions
For all domestic air transportation or international air transportation (each as defined by Delta) provided by Delta booked in accordance with the Air Elite Jet Card Agreement and in conjunction with an AirElite trip pursuant to the Delta Air Elite Jet Card Agreement, Cardholder shall be entitled to a 20% discount on published Y0 (domestic Coach Class) and F0 (domestic First Class) fares and a 20% discount on published J (international Business Class) or C (international Business Class) fares, respectively, in effect when booked. All other domestic fares or international fares for travel on Delta shall be at the published fares in effect when booked. All domestic and international fares booked in accordance with this Air Elite Jet Card Agreement are subject to all applicable rules published by Delta. Air transportation on Delta and Delta Connection® carriers is subject to Delta’s Contract of Carriage, which is incorporated into every ticket for travel and may be downloaded at http://www.delta.com. Delta reserves the right to amend its Contract of Carriage at any time. Your travel will be governed by the rules that are in effect on the date your travel begins. Delta ticket agents and employees cannot modify the terms of the contract without authority from a corporate officer.

Purchase of the Air Elite card is subject to Delta AirElite’s Terms and Conditions that are outlined in the then current Air Elite Jet Card Agreement. Delta AirElite flights are operated by Delta AirElite Business Jets, Inc., an FAA-certificated FAR Part 135 air carrier, or by another FAA-certificated Part 135 or Part 121 air carrier. Offers void where prohibited by law. Offers subject to change without notice. Other restrictions may apply.

Complete Diamond Medallion benefits and associated terms can be found at delta.com/about_skymiles. Gifted Diamond Medallion status will be effective within 2 weeks and membership credentials should arrive within 4 weeks. Complimentary upgrades are subject to availability and may not be available on all flights or in all markets. Taxes and fees for Award Travel are the responsibility of the passenger and must be paid at the time the ticket is booked. Award Travel seats are limited and may not be available on all flights or in all markets. All SkyMiles program rules apply to SkyMiles program membership, miles, offers, mile accrual, mile redemption and travel benefits. To review the rules, please visit Membership Guide & Program Rules. All Delta Sky Club rules apply to Delta Sky Club use.  To review the rules, visit delta.com/skyclub. Offers and benefits subject to change.

We’re excited to report the completion of another merger milestone this week (and this one’s been a doozie). We’ve updated 247 airports around the world with Delta branding as part of our merger with Northwest. Talk about easier said than done. This merger makeover was like having a dinner party while you’re renovating the kitchen.

Our number one goal was to make the process seamless for our customers. We had to ensure that flight operations could continue unaffected while we made some major changes at each airport. That means we updated all airports between the last flight out and the first take-off the following day – quite the graveyard shift for a lot of Delta folks who made it happen.

So, how did we do it? We’ve been planning this integration since September 2008, and there isn’t a group or department at Delta that hasn’t been involved. From Airport Customer Service to Corporate Real Estate all the way to Information Technology and Cargo, this accomplishment is a true team effort!

While you may have only seen Northwest signs come down and the Delta signs go up, so much more was going on behind the scenes. We assessed each and every airport and completed an extensive 150-line checklist to make sure we had dotted our “I”s and crossed our “T”s.

Everything had to be reviewed and planned appropriately. In some cases, this was as “easy” as taking two operations (check-in counters, gates, etc.) and consolidating them into one. In others, we worked with other airlines to move their operations (and our employees did physically move other airlines) before we could start setting up our operations. Once we had the blueprint for the airport, we began the process to ensure that all necessary elements were ordered and in place prior to consolidation – things as big as new loading bridges and ticket counters all the way down to boarding pass readers and checked baggage tags – had to be moved, ordered or replaced. Finally, we worked with just about every department to confirm we were all ready for each respective big day. Sales, marketing, IT, operations, catering, customer service, even phone and janitorial services had to be ready at all 247 airports!

Minneapolis Airport Before

Minneapolis Airport After

Between November 2008 and January 2010, we rebranded 15 to 20 airports around the world per month. The end result: one combined airline with a consistent presence across the globe (not to mention $75 million in savings per year by ensuring more efficient airport operations).

All in all, we’re pretty thrilled to check off another major merger to-do. Tell us what you think. Have you noticed any changes at your hometown airport? How’s it look?

John H.
Corporate Real Estate

Oh, the weather outside may be frightful. But try out these helpful holiday travel tips from our frequent flyers and employees to ensure your upcoming trip is delightful.

Beeline from Booking to Boarding:
• If you book a one- or multi-stop trip, make sure you allow time to make your connection, especially at major hubs. If you travel through LaGuardia with Delta Shuttle, remember that you will need to make a connection in a different terminal.

• Check in online at delta.com up to 24 hours before departure or from your cell phone/PDA at select cities. Checking in with your iPhone? Snap a screen capture so you can easily pull up your boarding pass at security checkpoints.
• Plan to get to the airport early. It’s better to be early than late! Use the extra time to catch your breath in the Delta Sky Club (Treat yourself – or someone else – to a One Day pass for $50).

• Use your camera or cell phone to snap a photo of your parking spot location. It’s quick and easy, and you’ll appreciate it when you return!
• Check flight status monitors and listen for announcements in case of gate changes.

Make Carrying-on a Cinch (Not a Grinch):
• Review what you can and can’t take through security checkpoints. Travel in shoes that are easy to slip on and off. Buy a bottle of water once you clear security to stay hydrated.
• Pack toiletries and “freshen up” items in your carry-on, just in case! Add toothpaste, a toothbrush, an extra pair of socks and trial-size Febreze so you can change and feel refreshed. Don’t forget to put liquids – less than 3.4 oz. – in a quart-sized, clear, plastic, zip-top bag.
• Drop your mp3 player in your carry-on. Don’t forget the headset and charger. They’ll come in handy onboard. Plus, download podcasts ahead of time to pass the time before boarding.
• Tote a book or magazine to read, especially for boarding, take-off, landing and when your row-mate won’t stop blabbering.
• Add a snack to your carry-on in case your stomach rumbles before the Biscoffs come around.

So, relax and enjoy the ride!

Rachael R., Marketing
Justin R., Technical Operations
Reynaldo, Marketing Finance
Frank W., Marketing

What do you think of these tips? Have other tricks of the travel trade? Leave us a comment below or send a tweet @DeltaBlog.