Delta Air Lines (NYSE: DAL) announced today that it is partnering with e-Travel, Inc. to provide corporate customers traveling on business the ability to purchase directly from Delta through a direct link to Delta’s internal reservations system. The new direct connection relationship supports Delta’s strategy of providing corporate customers access to Delta products and services through a variety of distribution channels.

“Our partnership with e-Travel (www.e-travel.com) signifies our continued effort to provide our corporate customers with the highest level of multiple purchasing options and customer service, as well as gaining direct access to their company-specific discounts,” said Steve Scheper, director of agency and corporate programs at Delta. “Direct connections represent the future of the business travel distribution system, and we’re happy to be involved at this early stage.”

The e-Travel agreement provides Delta’s corporate customers an additional direct, self-booking travel option. Earlier this year, Delta launched its own online corporate booking functionality at www.delta-air.com, where corporate travelers can purchase and track their negotiated discounts. In addition to these direct booking methods, Delta corporate customers also may choose to utilize global distribution products, such as Trip Manager by Worldspan, in support of their corporate agreements.

“Providing a direct link to Delta’s reservations system via e-Travel is based on direct customer feedback,” said Scheper. “Corporate customers tell us they need multiple options when purchasing air travel, and not all customer needs are the same. Offering multiple distribution channels ensures we meet those needs and lets the customer decide how to purchase Delta’s product in a way they can realize the best travel value.”

Through e-Travel, corporate customers also can arrange hotels, rental cars and meeting facilities. “e-Travel has pioneered direct link technology and continues to change the business travel distribution system,” said John Ackermann, president and CEO of e-Travel, Inc. “Delta Air Lines understands the efficiencies and conveniences companies can realize by dealing directly with travel suppliers, helping to change the way in which corporations purchase travel.”

e-Travel, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Oracle Corporation, is a leading provider of integrated and comprehensive Internet-based business-to-business corporate travel management solutions that include direct links between corporations and travel suppliers. e-Travel is on the World Wide Web at www.e-travel.com.

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