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Delta stages a comeback in Dubai with weekly five flights

DUBAI — Delta Air Lines of the US yesterday announced that it would stage a comeback to Dubai skies by launching weekly five non-stop flights from Atlanta, more than five years after it stopped flying to the emirate in the aftermath of 9/11.

Jimmy Eichelgruen, Delta's regional director of sales for the Middle East, said the new non-stop hub to hub service starting from June 1 will make Delta the only US carrier to operate non-stop flights between the US and Dubai. It will enable travellers from Dubai to reach anywhere in North America by the following day, he added.

Delta flight DL7 will depart from Dubai at 10:45 in the evening and touch down in Atlanta at 5:40am next day. The early morning arrival in Atlanta will enable customers to take advantage of the onward connections at the world's largest single airline hub which has services to over 230 destinations. These include flights to all 50 US states — the only airline to do so — as well as 70 international stops in 45 countries. Eichelgruen, addressing a press conference on the sidelines of the Arabian Travel Market, said Delta's initial five frequencies would be boosted if the demand in this sector justified it. "We are looking forward to strengthening our presence in Dubai, the region's aviation hub, before embarking on an expansion to other destinations in the region," he said, while ruling out any immediate plans to start operations to other GCC points. Manoj Kuriakose, newly appointed Dubai Sales Manager of Delta Air Lines, and Salah Ibrahim Sharaf, Chairman of Sharaf Travel, were also present at the event."The flight timings are very convenient. Thanks to the time difference, passengers can do a day's work in Dubai, have dinner, pack, and be in Atlanta in time for breakfast. Transit passengers can be entering Disneyland Florida by mid-morning, be in New York or San Francisco in time for a business lunch, or even enjoying afternoon tea after already having checked in to their hotel in Honolulu," he said. The new service to Atlanta has been launched with a very competitive promotional price of Dh3,310 return in economy and Dh15,140 in BusinessElite. Tickets to Orlando will be Dh3,550 and Dh16,010 respectively and to San Francisco Dh3,870 economy and Dh18,980 Business, all inclusive taxes.

"The new service will open up business, tourism and cultural opportunities between Dubai and the United States, as well as providing a gateway to popular onward destinations in the Caribbean and Central and South America," said Eichelgruen. "There has also been a great deal of interest in the new service from cargo shippers and freight forwarders."

When Delta flight DL8 takes off from Atlanta at 9:10pm on 31 May for the 14-hour flight to Dubai, Delta will also become the only carrier to operate between the Gulf and the Southern United States. Delta's home airport in Atlanta — Hartsfield-Jackson — is the largest hub airport in the world with Delta alone providing over 1,000 flights per day. There are numerous daily flights to popular destinations such as New York, Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Orlando, providing multiple connecting opportunities for customers.

The new service between Dubai and Atlanta will operate using Boeing 777-200ER aircraft seating up to 268 passengers with 50 seats in BusinessElite, and featuring Delta's refurbished business and economy class service. Customers can enjoy Delta's award-winning BusinessElite service featuring all-leather sleeper seats with 152 cm of legroom, innovative food offerings designed by celebrity chef Michelle Bernstein — including award-winning, original wine selections, and industry-leading, on-demand personal in-seat entertainment boasting more than 20 first-run and popular classic movies, a variety of TV programmes, a broad range of music, and a suite of 12 video games. Economy class customers also will benefit from new all-leather economy seats, amenity kits and enhanced food offerings.