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Delta Test the Sale of Meals and Snacks

ATLANTA, July 8, 2003—Delta Air Lines (NYSE: DAL) today announced it would test food sales this summer on board more than 400 flights within the United States. Flights will operate roundtrip from Atlanta, Dallas and Cincinnati to select markets between July 12 and Aug. 10. Delta will partner with the leading fast-casual restaurant in the Southeast, Atlanta Bread Company, and the airline’s caterer Gate Gourmet for the onboard food sales test. This partnership will provide customers with a la carte options and food during the 30-day, summer test period.

Delta continues to test on-ground food sales in Cincinnati, in cooperation with the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport and Anton AirFoods.


“Delta is listening to our customers. We are testing their willingness to buy reasonably priced, restaurant-quality food, and want to give them that option if they want it,” said Delta’s In-Flight Service Senior Vice President Sharon Wibben. “We hope to enhance our customers’ travel experience by offering breakfast, lunch and dinner meals and snacks that respond directly to their suggestions.”


Food choices and sales procedures will be refined throughout the summer based on customer feedback received through ongoing surveys. Delta will accept both cash and credit cards for food purchases, and first class customers, unaccompanied minors and Platinum Medallion passengers in Delta’s main cabin will receive food at no charge.

Food for sale is just one element in Delta’s strategy to lift passengers through a travel experience that accentuates customer satisfaction at every touch point—whether on the phone, at the airport or in the air. Through quality food sales, Delta hopes to increase customer options, convenience and choice, especially in the face of an evolving airline industry confronted with continuing economic pressure.

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“We asked customers what they thought of onboard food sales, and initial results indicated more than 50 percent said they liked the concept,” said Delta Marketing Vice President Patrice Miles. “Close to 40 percent said they definitely or probably would purchase food. We believe that, by offering the convenience of food sales, our customers will experience greater satisfaction in their relationship with Delta.”

Delta Air Lines, the world’s second largest airline in terms of passengers carried and the leading U.S. carrier across the Atlantic, offers 5,734 flights each day to 444 destinations in 79 countries on Delta, Song, Delta Express, Delta Shuttle, Delta Connection and Delta’s worldwide partners. Delta is a founding member of SkyTeam, a global airline alliance that provides customers with extensive worldwide destinations, flights and services. For more information, please go to delta.com.

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