Posts

Dave

Eclipse in the air: Delta’s exclusive Flight 1218 takes you to the heart of totality

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Buckle up for a celestial adventure with Delta as the airline unveils an exclusive opportunity for umbraphiles – those enamoured by total solar eclipses.

On 8 April 2024, Delta is set to operate a special flight, Flight 1218, from Austin to Detroit, offering passengers a unique chance to witness the total solar eclipse from the sky.

Scheduled on an A220-300 aircraft, renowned for its extra-large windows, this flight promises an unparalleled viewing experience for eclipse enthusiasts. Departing from Austin at 12:15 p.m. CT and landing in Detroit at 4:20 p.m. ET, the timing has been meticulously planned to provide passengers with the best opportunity to observe the solar eclipse at its peak.

Eric Beck, Managing Director of Domestic Network Planning, expressed the collaborative effort behind this unique flight, stating,

This flight is the result of significant collaboration and exemplifies the close teamwork Delta is known for — from selecting an aircraft with larger windows to determining the exact departure time from Austin and the experiences at the gate and in the air.

But the celestial spectacle doesn’t end there. Even if you miss the special flight, Delta offers prime eclipse-viewing opportunities on five additional routes on 8 April.

Don’t forget your protective viewing glasses if you’re on these flights:

  • DL 5699, DTW-HPN, 2:59 pm EST departure, ERJ-175
  • DL 924, LAX-DFW, 8:40 am PST departure, A320
  • DL 2869, LAX-SAT, 9:00 am PST departure, A319
  • DL 1001, SLC-SAT, 10:08 am MST departure, A220-300
  • DL 1683, SLC-AUS, 9:55 am MST departure, A320

For ground-based spectators, Delta flies to many destinations within the path of totality, including San Antonio and Little Rock.

Warren Weston, Delta Air Lines Lead Meteorologist, highlighted the significance of the upcoming eclipse, stating,

The April 8 eclipse is the last total eclipse we’ll see over North America until 2044. This eclipse will last more than twice as long as the one that occurred in 2017, and the path is nearly twice as wide.

It’s important to note that while Delta’s plans are designed to maximise time within the path of totality, factors beyond their control, such as weather and air traffic control, could impact timing and aircraft.

As the rare celestial event draws closer, those eager to book this astronomical adventure should contact their Global Travel Management Account Manager.

Paul

Delta proposes flights between Haneda and 5 new US cities

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Delta Air Lines has filed an application with the U.S. Department of Transportation to launch daily daytime services between Tokyo-Haneda airport and Seattle, Detroit, Atlanta and Portland, as well as a twice-daily service between Haneda and Honolulu.

Delta’s proposed routes would be the only direct service offered by U.S. carriers between Haneda, Tokyo’s preferred airport for business travellers and the closest to the city centre, and the communities of Seattle, Portland, Atlanta and Detroit.

Together with the carrier’s existing service to Haneda from Minneapolis/St. Paul and Los Angeles, these new routes would bring Delta’s proven operational reliability and exceptional service to more customers travelling between a broad network of U.S. cities and Tokyo’s preferred airport.

Additionally, Delta’s proposal provides a competitive alternative for consumers to the service offered by other U.S. carriers and their Japanese joint venture partners, ANA and JAL.

Delta’s existing service to Haneda from Minneapolis/St. Paul and Los Angeles has already delivered substantial consumer benefits, including transporting over 800,000 passengers since the inauguration of daytime flights. The airline claims its proposal for additional service would:

  • Provide more attractive flight times for customers arriving and departing Haneda while enhancing connecting opportunities in the Pacific Northwest, Southeast, and Northeast;
  • Facilitate the development of trade and tourism between five of the largest U.S. metropolitan areas and Tokyo;
  • Serve a geographically diverse set of markets and communities through the comprehensive route networks offered at each of Delta’s hub gateways;
  • Provide additional capacity and greater convenience for the large business communities in all of these proposed gateways.

Delta has served the U.S. to Japan market for over 70 years, and currently offers seven daily departures from Tokyo with connections to over 150 destinations across the U.S and Latin America. The airline will launch a new service in April between Seattle and Osaka in partnership with Korean Air. Additionally, last year, Delta began partnering with Michelin consulting chef Norio Ueno to create meals for all cabins of service for flights to and from Japan.

Pending government approvals, the new routes would launch with the summer 2020 flying schedule.

Paul

Delta completes purchase of Virgin Atlantic stake.

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Delta Air Lines has completed its purchase of a 49 per cent stake in Virgin Atlantic, after being given clearance by both the US and European regulators last week.

The two airlines have also announced that they will begin selling each other’s flights across their networks from 29th June, as well as codesharing from 3rd July. Delta will be putting its two letter code (DL) on 17 Virgin Atlantic flights, including routes from the UK to the US, as well as Virgin’s new Little Red UK domestic services.

The deal will enable Virgin to do likewise, and  place its code (VS) on 91 Delta routes covering both transatlantic and US domestic services.

It is worth noting at this stage that Virgin Atlantic flies out of Heathrow Terminal 3 and Delta from Terminal 4 – don’t get caught out once both airlines commence code sharing each others flights!