180 degree, full flat-beds and on-board Wi-FI in 2013

(TRAVPR.COM) NIGERIA - September 17th, 2012 – Delta Air Lines (NYSE:DAL) has introduced full flat-bed seats in its BusinessElite cabin onboard its daily service between Lagos and Atlanta. Delta will also begin offering in-flight Internet service on its flights from Nigeria to the United States in early 2013. The changes form part of Delta’s ongoing plan to invest more than $3 billion in enhanced global products, services and airport facilities.

Delta’s daily nonstop service between Lagos and Atlanta operates with a 201-seat Boeing 767-300ER aircraft offering 36 full flat-bed seats in BusinessElite.  The design of Delta’s new BusinessElite seats optimizes each passenger’s space, giving them privacy to work or relax in order to arrive at their destination ready for a day’s business.  Each seat converts to a 180-degree fully flat-bed and offers direct aisle access in a 1x2x1 configuration.  The new seats are forward-facing and 22% wider than the seats they replace.  All feature a 10.6” individual screen and a broad range of on demand entertainment in addition to a 110v AC power source and USB port.  Delta will offer more than 500 of these seats each week between Nigeria and the United States.

“Lagos is an extremely important market for Delta and with its strong commercial links to the United States our new full flat-bed product will provide a new level of comfort to our premium customers,” said Bobby Bryan sales manager West and East Africa.  “As we approach our fifth anniversary of service between Nigeria and the United States, we continue to respond to our customers needs and invest in our product offering with initiatives such as the full flat-bed and the roll out of Wi-Fi onboard next year.”

The introduction of Wi-Fi on Delta operated flights between Nigeria and the U.S. will enable customers to get online throughout their journey.  The international service will use high-bandwith Ku-band capacity satellites to provide global coverage.

BusinessElite passengers travelling to and from Lagos also benefit from Delta’s Protocol service at the airport.  This offers a personalized escort through every step of the airport experience - from checking in, security clearance and lounge pick-up, to arrival and baggage collection. Delta’s Protocol service is offered in addition to SkyPriority – a series of priority airport services offered to premium passengers by SkyTeam airlines serving Lagos.

Delta also offers Economy Comfort - Delta’s premium economy cabin product – on its Lagos flights offering over 400 seats per week.  Customers flying in Economy Comfort benefit from up to four additional inches of legroom for 35 full inches of seat pitch and 50 percent more recline than Delta’s standard Economy class seat.

As part of its wider sponsorship initiatives, Delta has made its first signing of a soccer club by striking a multi-year deal to become Chelsea Football Club’s official airline sponsor.  The deal brings together two major international brands and will give Delta numerous benefits including LED exposure at each home game and entitlement space at Stamford Bridge enabling the airline to entertain guests at Chelsea’s home in a Delta-branded environment. Delta is also exploring community based projects in key markets it serves including Nigeria.

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