ATLANTA, Oct. 12, 2005 (PRIMEZONE) -- Delta Air Lines' customers in the United States soon will be able to leave the chill of December for the warm trade winds of a new tropical destination. As part of its significant international expansion into new markets in Latin America and the Caribbean, Delta will launch the only non-stop service between Atlanta and the island of Antigua on Dec. 18, 2005. And a special introductory fare will make a visit even more inviting.
"This new service to Antigua reaffirms our efforts to establish Atlanta as the most convenient gateway for service to and from the Caribbean," said James Sarvis, Delta's director for Latin America and the Caribbean. "Atlanta's excellent geographical location and unequalled number of connecting opportunities will benefit customers in both our nations."
"We are indeed delighted to welcome Delta service to Antigua, and we celebrate this partnership as a major accomplishment for our islands," said the Hon. Harold Lovell, Antigua's Minister of Tourism and Civil Aviation. "This service benefits all of us by increasing accessibility for consumers through Delta's domestic and international network and by allowing us to expand our number of visitors."
Beginning today for a limited time, customers may take advantage of a special introductory fare of $198 each way, based on a roundtrip purchase, for travel between Dec. 18, 2005, and April 26, 2006. Additional taxes/fees/restrictions apply. The fare is available for purchase only on delta.com or from a travel agent. Customers should start planning because tickets must be purchased no later than Nov. 30, 2005. See below for more details.
Delta's new non-stop service between Atlanta and Antigua operates Sunday and Wednesday, effective Dec. 18:
Flight Depart Arrives 1613 Atlanta at 10:20 a.m. Antigua at 3:30 p.m. 1616 Antigua at 4:30 p.m. Atlanta at 8:10 p.m.
Antigua and neighboring Barbuda, in the Leeward Caribbean islands, offer visitors the quintessential tropical experience, with beautiful white sand beaches and tall swaying palms. The coral reefs and calm, clear waters that ring the islands provide spectacular opportunities for scuba, and snorkel enthusiasts to view the brightly colored Caribbean marine life. Nights in Antigua are accented by some of the best steel bands in the Caribbean, with limbo dancers and calypso singers to complete the picture.
Delta will operate this new service between Atlanta and Antigua with Boeing 737-800 aircraft. For schedules and fares to the many other destinations Delta serves in the Caribbean, customers should visit delta.com.
With its extensive Caribbean network, Delta currently serves a total of 25 markets in 11 countries from the United States, including nine destinations served from the airline's largest hub and gateway to the world -- Atlanta. By the end of 2005, Delta plans to begin new daily service between Atlanta and Punta Cana (See Note), (Nov. 19) and Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic (See Note) (Dec. 1), and three-times per week service between Atlanta and Barbados (See Note) (Dec. 8), as well as expanded service between Atlanta and St. Maarten (daily beginning Nov. 19) and St. Lucia (daily, beginning Dec. 1).
Note: Routes are subject to foreign government approval.
Delta Air Lines is the world's second-largest airline in terms of passengers carried and the leading U.S. carrier across the Atlantic, offering daily flights to 502 destinations in 88 countries on Delta, Song, Delta Shuttle, the Delta Connection carriers and its worldwide partners. Delta's marketing alliances allow customers to earn and redeem frequent flier miles on more than 14,000 flights offered by SkyTeam and other partners. Delta is a founding member of SkyTeam, a global airline alliance that provides customers with extensive worldwide destinations, flights and services. Customers can check in for flights, print boarding passes and check flight status at delta.com.
The Delta logo is available at: http://www.primezone.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=1825
Restrictions: Fare shown is available for purchase only on delta.com or from your travel agent. Tickets cost $10 more if purchased from Delta over the telephone or $15 more if purchased at an airport or city ticket office, and these amounts are nonrefundable. Travel agents may impose an additional service charge for ticketing. Tickets are nontransferable. Seats are limited and fares may not be available on all flights or in all markets. Tickets: Fare shown is one-way. Round-trip purchase is required. Tickets must be purchased within 72 hours after reservations are made, but no later than Nov. 30, 2005. See delta.com for online ticket purchase requirements and restrictions. Travel Period: Service between Atlanta and Antigua is offered on Sundays and Wednesdays. Travel must commence Dec. 18, 2005 through April 26, 2006. Travel must be completed by May 24, 2006. Blackout Dates: None. Fare Validity: Fare is valid in the Economy (Coach) cabin on Delta flights only. Minimum Stay: 2 nights. Maximum Stay: 1 month. Cancellations/Refunds/Changes: Fare is nonrefundable. Delta may permit you to apply a portion of the fare value to future travel upon payment of applicable fees and fare difference, otherwise the ticket will have no value. Fees may apply for itinerary changes. Delta may allow you to cancel certain tickets until midnight of the day after purchase (or midnight of the departure date of the first flight, whichever comes first) without penalty if purchased at the time of reservation directly from Delta. Contact a Delta agent or visit delta.com for details. Taxes/Fees: Fare does not include a $3.20 Federal Excise Tax, which will be imposed on each flight segment in the passenger's ticketed itinerary. A flight segment is defined as a takeoff and a landing. Fare does not include Passenger Facility Charge(s) of up to $18, depending on itinerary or September 11th Security Fee of up to $10 per round-trip. International fares do not include U.S. International Air Transportation tax of up to $28.20 and U.S. and foreign user, inspection, security or other similarly based charges, fees or taxes of up to $250, depending on itinerary. These taxes and fees are the responsibility of the passenger and must be paid at the time the ticket is purchased. Miscellaneous: Fares and rules are subject to change without notice. It is the responsibility of the passenger to be in possession of all necessary documentation (e.g. valid passport, visa where applicable) at the time of departure from origin. Delta reserves the right to deny boarding to passengers without the proper documentation. Other restrictions may apply. (c) 2005 Delta Air Lines, Inc.