Delta Plans Trans-Atlantic Service Between Paris and Raleigh-Durham, Pittsburgh
Service made possible through successful Delta-Air France
joint venture
Pittsburgh, Raleigh-Durham customers to enjoy connecting
opportunities to more than 90 cities in Europe via Paris hub
ATLANTA, Nov. 6, 2008 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Delta Air Lines (NYSE:DAL), the world's largest airline, today announced the start of two additional nonstop flights between France and the United States with the airline's first-ever nonstop service between Paris-Charles de Gaulle International Airport and Raleigh-Durham, N.C. and Pittsburgh. The new routes, enabled by Delta's successful joint venture with Air France, will offer customers in both cities convenient connections to more than 90 cities in Europe via Air France's Paris hub.
"Strategic and unique international growth -- bolstered by our innovative partnership with Air France and merger with Northwest -- has been a cornerstone of Delta's successful business strategy over the last several years," said Robert Cortelyou, senior vice president - Network Planning. "Delta's new nonstop service from Raleigh-Durham and Pittsburgh offers customers convenient access to Paris and connecting opportunities to more than 90 destinations beyond."
Delta will make history in Pittsburgh and Raleigh-Durham with its new flights. The new trans-Atlantic route from Pittsburgh will be the only nonstop transatlantic service offered by any airline from the city. The new route from Raleigh-Durham will be Delta's first-ever nonstop trans-Atlantic flight offered from North Carolina and will be operated from Raleigh's terminal two, the airport's newest terminal, which opened Oct. 26.
"This flight will be strategically important for North Carolina and the region," said N.C. Department of Commerce Secretary Jim Fain. "In addition to supporting two-way tourism, it will facilitate business relationships between North Carolina and France."
"On behalf of the Pittsburgh region's business community, we are very pleased with today's announcement. Pittsburgh is a vibrant part of the global economy. Our regional companies generate over a third of their revenues outside the United States and foreign direct investment here is increasing as well. Direct international air service will make it easier for business investment in our region to continue growing," said Michael Langley, CEO, Allegheny Conference on Community Development.
The new nonstop service from both markets will be launched in June 2009. The routes will be operated by Boeing 757-200 aircraft, with seating for up to 174 passengers, including 16 seats in Delta's BusinessElite and 158 in economy class. Customers flying BusinessElite on any Delta international aircraft enjoy Delta on Demand featuring first-run and popular classic movies, music, TV programming and video games -- all available on demand; a five-course menu offering culinary creations by celebrity chef Michelle Bernstein; a reinvented wine program by Master Sommelier Andrea Robinson featuring wines from around the world; full-size pillows and duvets; and in-seat power outlets that allow customers to recharge their laptops.
The first phase of Delta's joint venture with Air France was implemented in April 2008 coinciding with a landmark Open Skies agreement that liberalized air transport between the European Union and the United States. Immediate benefits of the joint venture included the addition of new routes between the United States and France, with the launch of nonstop flights between Salt Lake City and Paris in June; New York-JFK and Lyon in July; and an additional daily flight between Atlanta and Paris. The agreement also helped secure Delta's entry into London Heathrow, with flights from New York-JFK and Atlanta, which were launched in cooperation with Air France. Additionally, Air France began its first trans-Atlantic flights between the United States and London Heathrow on Mar. 31, 2008.
Delta flights between France and both Raleigh-Durham and Pittsburgh are available for booking now online at
www.delta.com. Flight schedules are as follows:
Delta's new service between Raleigh-Durham and Paris
Flight 204
Departs Raleigh-Durham at 6:20 p.m.
Arrives Paris at 8:35 a.m. (next day)
Effective June 2, 2009
Daily (except Monday and Thursday)
Flight 205
Departs Paris at 10:30 a.m.
Arrives Raleigh-Durham at 2:15 p.m.
Effective June 4, 2009
Daily (except Wednesday and Saturday)
Delta's new service between Pittsburgh and Paris
Flight 188
Departs Pittsburgh at 6:15 p.m.
Arrives Paris at 8:20 p.m. (next day)
Effective June 3, 2009
Daily (except Tuesday and Friday)
Flight 189
Departs Paris at 10:40 p.m.
Arrives Pittsburgh at 1:55 p.m.
Effective June 3, 2009
Daily ( Except Tuesday and Friday)
To celebrate the new service Delta is offering a one-way special fare of $599* from Raleigh-Durham to Paris and from Pittsburgh to Paris (based on a round-trip purchase) for travel through June 30, 2009. However, customers should act fast as availability is limited and tickets at these fares must be purchased by Nov. 21, 2008. *Additional taxes/fees/restrictions/baggage charges may apply. See below for details.
