ATLANTA, Nov. 21, 2006 (PRIMEZONE) -- On the way to visit friends and family this Thanksgiving season, Delta Air Lines customers will find the check-in process a breeze with a new, modern ticketing counter, part of a lobby re-design currently underway at Delta's largest hub at Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport.
The new kiosks are part of the second phase of construction Delta began on its lobby at Hartsfield-Jackson in September. Phase II, which includes $14 million worth of improvements expected to be completed by summer 2007, will give customers more space and check-in options, allowing Delta to continue growing its largest hub. Delta's intuitive new lobby design and customer-facing technology represent the airline's ongoing commitment to customer service and will include:
-- An innovative new environment, featuring 12,500 square feet of
open space to facilitate check-in, improve passenger flow and
offer easier access to customer service agents, kiosks and
security checkpoints
-- New counter architecture that will provide both specialized and
traditional check-in positions
-- Multiple "Baggage Drop" areas to speed customers using kiosk
check-in through the lobby
-- Dynamic signage throughout the lobby for at-a-glance information
in English and Spanish, expanding to seven languages in 2007
-- Audio messaging in English and Spanish to support customer
communications in concert with the vivid, full-color screen
displays
-- Twenty-six additional kiosks with international check-in
capabilities to support increased customer use
"Customers will see the progress we've already made in Phase II of our lobby redesign and they get to reap the benefits by experiencing a simple and quick check-in experience," said Rich Cordell, Delta's senior vice president of Airport Customer Service. "Combine that with the ability to check in and print boarding passes online, utilize curb-side check-in and download new Nintendo games in many locations -- well, Delta's made it easier than ever for families to travel this holiday season."
Also, as customers prepare for holiday travel, there have been changes to the policy for carry-on items. The TSA now allows some liquids in carry-on luggage. All items must be in containers 3.4 ounces or less and be held in a quart-sized re-sealable plastic bag. Customers can visit delta.com or the TSA's web site for specific guidelines.
Customers are also advised to allow additional time to get to and through the airport. This Thanksgiving holiday, Delta expects to serve high numbers of passengers throughout the system, with about 350,000 customers traveling on the Sunday and Monday following Thanksgiving.
Delta Air Lines (Other OTC:DALRQ) offers customers service to more destinations than any global airline with Delta and Delta Connection carrier service to 290 destinations in 46 countries. With more than 70 new international routes added or announced in the last year, Delta is America's fastest growing international airline and is a leader across the Atlantic with flights to 28 trans-Atlantic destinations. To Latin America and the Caribbean, Delta offers more than 400 weekly flights to 49 destinations. Delta's marketing alliances also allow customers to earn and redeem SkyMiles 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. Including its SkyTeam and worldwide codeshare partners, Delta offers flights to 445 worldwide destinations in 92 countries. Customers can check in for flights, print boarding passes and check flight status at delta.com.
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