“Keep Climbing”
Skytrax rating: 3 stars
Skyteam member
Operations
Globally
- All major destinations
- USA domestic
South Africa
- 1 flight route – JHB-Atlanta
- other flights offered via Air France and KLM (Skyteam)
General
Delta Airlines is a member of the Skyteam Alliance. Delta is one of the main airlines in the USA and has a large fleet comprising more than 700 aircraft. The airline was founded in 1924 as a crop-dusting concern. At present, there are two main flight brands under the Delta umbrella:
- Delta itself
- Comair (not to be confused with the Comair in South Africa, which is affiliated with British Airways)
Besides the core airline business, Delta has many subsidiary and divisional operations related to the airline industry, such as cargo services, maintenance of planes, radio communications and training of in-flight personnel. Delta operates thousands of flights every day, many of them domestic flights in the USA, but also covering all the major destinations in the world, either using its own planes or via its Skyteam partners.
Due to an innovative employment strategy in which most staff are not members of a trade union, the airline has traditionally enjoyed a heightened reputation for good service. When flying with a major international airline that has the reputation and fleet that Delta has, you may expect a pleasant and reliable travel experience.
Delta Airlines Boeing 757. Delta has more 757 planes than any other airline.
As a major international carrier, Delta enhances its flights with the customary in-flight entertainment such as TV, Wi-Fi and a magazine. Delta offers five seating classes. International economy class tickets are now also inclusive of the following benefits on some planes:
- Up to four more inches of legroom
- 50% more recline of the seats
- Earlier boarding
- Complimentary Bar Service throughout the flight
In order to qualify for these perks you need to book your ticket in economy class and then upgrade it to premium economy on the airline website once you have been issued with your ticket. The cost of the upgrade on a one-wat ticket is USD160 (Johannesburg to Atlanta).
Delta does not operate many flights in South Africa. In fact, the only flight under the Delta brand is the one to Atlanta from Johannesburg. The others are offered via Air France and KLM. Delta has also recently introduced new luggage policies (which are provided below), so if you intend on booking a flight via a Skyteam partner or Delta itself, it may be advisable to consult with us so that we can provide you with a professional and experienced travel booking service.
Revised luggage policy (as of 1 October 2011)
The new Economy Class baggage allowance is 1 piece at 23kg per bag and 157 linear cm (height + width + length). The Second Piece fee is USD75.
The new Business Class baggage allowance is 2 pieces at 32kg per bag and 157 Linear cm (height + width + length).
USA domestic baggage fees
International Through-Ticket
Passengers travelling on an International through-ticket will not be charged the Domestic USA and Canadian baggage fee, provided that they check in at a Check-In counter and not at one of the Kiosks (Electronic Check-In) and it is on one set of conjunctive tickets. The baggage allowance would therefore be 1 piece throughout.
Domestic Ticket
Delta will charge passengers who purchase a purely Domestic USA and Canadian ticket a USD25/CAD25 fee to check a first bag and USD35/CAD35 for a second checked bag. These would be for tickets that are issued in connection with the International Ticket.
Please consult with us regarding your seat reservation and luggage policy when booking a ticket on Delta to get the latest expert advice.
