Delta Air Lines Supports United States Military's Rest and Relaxation Program with Discount Fares

Delta Airlines ^ | Sept 26 2003

[boxerblues]

Delta Air Lines Supports United States Military's Rest and Relaxation Program with Discount Fares

ATLANTA, Sept. 26, 2003 – Delta Air Lines (NYSE: DAL) will support the United States military's Operation Iraqi Freedom Rest and Relaxation (R&R) program with special discount fares for soldiers returning home for two weeks of R&R. The special fares are available for travel on Delta, Delta Connection and Delta Shuttle flights.

"Delta is proud to help the men and women of our military return home to their friends and family," said Harlan Bennett, Delta's vice president-Revenue Management.

From Sept. 27, 2003, until Sept. 15, 2004, members of the military returning to the United States on military leave may purchase one roundtrip ticket for travel between Baltimore-Washington International Airport and their desired destination within 10 designated zones (defined below). Military personnel must present their military identification upon purchase. Tickets do not require an advance purchase or minimum stay. Fares are refundable. All travel must be completed by Sept. 15, 2004. See below for details and other important restrictions.

DELTA'S ROUNDTRIP ZONE FARES FOR MILITARY PERSONNEL ON LEAVE

Zone Roundtrip Sale Fare From BWI

A $158

B $158

C $178

D $178

E $198

F $198

Alaska $298

Hawaii $498

Puerto Rico $220

Virgin Islands $284

Additional taxes/fees/restrictions apply

Zone A - AL, FL, GA, MS, NC, SC, TN; Zone B - CT, DC, DE, MA, MD, ME, NH, NJ, NY, PA, RI, VA, VT, WV; Zone C - IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, MI, MN, MO, NE, OH, WI; Zone D - AR, LA, NM, OK, TX; Zone E - CO, ID, MT, ND, SD, UT, WY; Zone F - AZ, CA, NV, OR, WA; Alaska - Anchorage; Hawaii - Honolulu; Puerto Rico - San Juan; Virgin Islands - St. Thomas

Delta Air Lines, the world’s second largest airline in terms of passengers carried and the leading U.S. carrier across the Atlantic, offers 5,883 flights each day to 447 destinations in 81 countries on Delta, Song, Delta Express, Delta Shuttle, Delta Connection and Delta’s worldwide partners. Delta is a founding member of SkyTeam, a global airline alliance that provides customers with extensive worldwide destinations, flights and services. For more information, please go to delta.com.

A portion of travel for some itineraries may be on the Delta Connection carriers: Atlantic Coast Airlines, Atlantic Southeast Airlines, Chautauqua, Comair and SkyWest; or codeshare partner American Eagle.

Restrictions: Tickets must be purchased at a Delta Air Lines ticketing location or a SATO ticketing office. Tickets are non-transferable.

Passenger must be active U.S. Military personnel on leave and must present military identification at point of sale. Seats are limited and fares may not be available on all flights or in all markets.

Tickets: Tickets must be purchased on a round-trip basis on or before Sept. 15, 2004. Ticketing must be completed by midnight 1 day after the reservations are confirmed.

Travel Period: Travel must begin no earlier than Sept. 27, 2003. Travel must be completed by Sept. 15, 2004. Blackout Dates: None. Fare Validity: Fares are valid in the Economy (Coach) cabin on Delta, Delta Connection and Delta Shuttle flights only. Minimum Stay: None.

Maximum Stay: None. Cancellations/Refunds/Changes: Fares are refundable. Changes are permitted without administrative service fees.

Taxes/Fees: Fares do not include a $3.00 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.

Fares do not include Passenger Facility Charge(s) of up to $18.00, depending on itinerary, and for tickets issued after Sept. 30, 2003 a Sept. 11th Security Fee of up to $10 per round-trip applies.

For travel to/from Hawaii/Alaska, International Air Transportation tax of up to $13.40 round-trip applies. For travel to/from San Juan, PR/U.S. Virgin Islands, International Air Transportation tax of up to $26.80 round-trip applies. These 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. Fares and rules are subject to change without notice and are subject to government approval. 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. 2003 Delta Air Lines, Inc.

[MissouriForBush]

Bravo Delta.

[boxerblues]

For those who have loved ones coming home from the sandbox. This is addition to Southwest Airlines who is offering reduced airfare from Baltimore and American Airlines who is also offering reduced rates for the military.

[mtbopfuyn]

Simply makes for good PR and cuts into the competiton's ticket sales.

[boxerblues]

It sure beats the fare they had been charging for a last minute flight which could be the deciding factor if the soldier can come home or not.

[Broadside Joe]

Way to go Delta. Now how about a price war for these people.

[boxerblues]

It could happen if enough troops get to come home on R&R, American has reduced rates for the military as has Southwest. I would pay what ever it cost to see my son but he is not eligable for the R&R program yet

[Broadside Joe]

In any event I hope that you get to see him soon...

[Pukin Dog]

Considering that Delta (my soon to be employer) got government subsidies after 9-11, I think it is specious that any airline would charge a soldier ANYTHING for a flight home. Every airline should immediatly announce that returning soldiers fly for free. A DOLLAR is too much for our soldiers to have to pay. The airline should eat that cost.

[Broadside Joe]

Agreed 100% Or even if those that may have flights to someones hometown would give up the seat, take a later flight and let these people go home.

[Canticle_of_Deborah]

Bump for Delta. In the extremely rare event this flying phobic gets on a plane, I always fly Delta. They are always nice and very professional. I've had some unpleasant experiences with the other airlines.

[boxerblues]

Oh good we have a insider now! lol. Years ago the airlines offered military fares that could be purchased at the 21 day fare even if it was same day, with no restrictions if the soldiers was traveling with papers. It would be enough for most of us if they would do this again. The Blues Star Mothers have a petition asking for this.

Last spring when my son left Airborne School there was a mixed up with his papers which left him on base for 5 days after the group left. When they did "find" them he had less than 12 hours to make arrangements to get home, we paid over $800 to get him from Atlanta to Cleveland.

[Wild Irish Rogue]

A DOLLAR is too much for our soldiers to have to pay."

Especially soldiers returning temporarily, from war.Maybe someone at the RNC,FOX News or a Freeper with the organizational expertise, can start a fund to subsidize the cost for the troops.The fund would send a message to the troops that the American people support them,despite what they are hearing from the Democrats and the media.

[Irish Eyes]

Southwest Airlines is doing this also. Great job!!!!!

[longtermmemmory]

Just FYI:

At JFK there is a USO reception room for military men and women inside the JFK terminal.

non-sequitor FYI: Delta actually did a "featured charity" for the (GASP!) boy scouts. You could donate extra miles to the scouts organization.

[boxerblues]

Most of the major airports have USO rooms somewhere in their facility.

http://www.uso.org/pubs/8_15_20.cfm

[boxerblues]

The guys getting home first have been there a heck of a lot longer as well as having back to back deployments in Afghanistan or had births or deaths since being deployed. These soldiers need to come home so much more so than I need to see my son. I know he is well, he understands the priorities of others.

[getgoing]

Huge smiles headed your way. Can't wait 'till your son give you a big ole bear hug. Delta, SW & AA thank you.

[mathluv]

I have nearly 2 million miles on Delta, many on other airlines. Delta has always been the best - nice and professional. Not true for american, united, etc.

Southwest seldom went where I needed to go, unless I could fly out of DFW instead of Shreveport.

[Coop]

Considering that Delta (my soon to be employer) got government subsidies after 9-11, I think it is specious that any airline would charge a soldier ANYTHING for a flight home. Every airline should immediatly announce that returning soldiers fly for free. A DOLLAR is too much for our soldiers to have to pay. The airline should eat that cost.

Better yet, we should all fly for free! Let the airline eat that cost, too! Wooohooooo!!!

Despite your efforts to minimize these moves, I appreciate that Delta, American and Southwest are publicly recognizing the sacrifices of our troops.

And since you're soon to be a Delta employee, it should be quite easy for your to sign over your salary to ensure that at least a few of our soldiers do get those free flights. Thanks so much!