Delta Air Lines is celebrating the 100th anniversary of flight by thanking
its passengers for their continued business. Concurrent with the time of
the original event, on 10:35 a.m. EST, Wednesday, Dec. 17, Delta will
celebrate with customers onboard 100 select, airborne flights. The
selected passengers will enjoy ceremonies and receive commemorative gifts.

On Dec. 17, 1903, the Wright brothers` first successful flight took place
in Kitty Hawk, NC, and lasted 12 seconds, traveling 120 feet—just short
of the wing span of a Boeing 737-800 (124`-10”). Less than five years
later, the brothers produced the first two-seat aircraft and the idea of
passenger aviation had become a reality.

“As we reflect on this historical event, we see that the basic concept of
flight hasn`t changed, only how we`ve employed its use,” said Fred Reid,
Delta`s president and COO. “Today, by improving operational efficiencies
and meeting customer expectations, I can`t think of a better way to carry
on the spirit and enthusiasm that the Wright brothers embodied.”

As the aviation industry celebrates its centennial, Delta is preparing to
celebrate its own 75th anniversary as a commercial airline next year.
Delta`s first passenger flight in 1929 transported five passengers from
Dallas to Jackson, Miss. Today, Delta boards approximately 300,000
passengers a day.

To celebrate the momentous occasion tomorrow, Delta flight attendants will
present special gifts and make a special on-board announcement on 100
select Delta flights.

Additionally, the airline has a week of celebration activities planned for
customers traveling from or through Delta`s Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta
International Airport hub. In Atlanta, the airline`s hometown, Delta is
offering its SkyMiles customers one day of free parking at Park `n Fly
Plus, valet parking at local Lenox and Perimeter malls, and various
surprise handouts in the airport.

Delta also is celebrating 100 years of the Aircraft Maintenance Technician
profession. In 1903, the Wright brother`s mechanic, Charles Taylor, built
the 12 horsepower engine that made the brothers` first flight possible.
Delta Technical Operations will honor his detail to safety and precision
with a celebration throughout the division.

Technical Operations` performance in safety is unsurpassed in the
industry. They are the only airline to receive OSHA`s (Occupational Safety
& Health Administration) Merit status and to be recommended for STAR
status. In three years Technical Operations has also grown its maintenance
repair operations by 180 percent.

Delta Air Lines, the world`s second largest airline in terms of passengers
carried and the leading U.S. carrier across the Atlantic, offers 6,362
flights each day to 458 destinations in 82 countries on Delta, Song, 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 visit delta.com. Delta Air Lines editorial, based on news release distributed by PR Newswire.

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