'SONG PLAYS VEGAS!' Delta's Song Debuts New York/JFK to Las Vegas and Boston to Las Vegas Service
NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 1, 2003--
Unique Amenities - Video on Demand, Live Satellite TV - Will Enrich Travel Experience and Fit Customers' Individual and Changing Needs
Song(TM) (www.flysong.com), Delta Air Lines' new service developed to change customer expectations for high-quality, low-fare air travel, begins service between New York/JFK and Las Vegas and between Boston and Las Vegas on Wednesday October 1, 2003.
The first flight from New York departs JFK at 9:15 p.m. and is scheduled to arrive in Las Vegas at 11:45 p.m. The first flight from Las Vegas to JFK departs on October 2 at 12:35 a.m. and is scheduled to arrive at 8:15 a.m. The first flight from Boston departs at 6:15 p.m. and is scheduled to arrive in Las Vegas at 9:03 p.m. The first flight from Las Vegas to Boston departs at 9:55 p.m. and is scheduled to arrive on October 2 at 5:48 a.m. Song will initially offer one daily roundtrip flight between JFK/Boston and Las Vegas. Song also serves Las Vegas from Ft. Lauderdale and Orlando.
"We're excited to offer Song's high-quality, non-stop service and low fares to customers traveling between New York, Boston and Las Vegas, " said John Selvaggio, president of Song. "Song has been growing quickly and will continue to expand in order to bring its unique service and innovative approach to travelers in markets across the country."
Song provides direct non-stop service between major cities in the Northeast United States and key Florida leisure destinations, plus Atlanta, Los Angeles, Las Vegas and San Juan. Utilizing a fleet of 36 199-seat, all-coach Boeing 757s, Song plans to offer 142 daily non-stop flights by the end of October. Additionally, Song presently serves all three New York metro area airports - JFK, Newark and LaGuardia - the only low-fare service to do so.
Song will meet air travelers' individual and ever-changing needs through a variety of innovations, several of which are industry firsts. These include:
-- Regular updates to amenities and services based on customer feedback. Customers have the ability to vote on products and services via the Song Web site: www.flysong.com.
-- Web site to allow passengers to find low fares across a range of dates. When searching for flights at flysong.com, customers can instantly view additional low fares by selecting a wider range of dates rather than starting the search process from the beginning, for an experience that offers more information and flexibility.
-- The most advanced in-flight entertainment technology available (starting installation in October 2003). Song is partnering with Matsushita Avionics Systems and EchoStar Communications Corporation (NASDAQ:DISH) and its DISH Network(TM) satellite TV service to provide a complement of on-board amenities, which will include:
-- Personal video monitors at every seat with "touch screen" technology and credit card "swipe" capability.
-- Live, all-digital satellite television programming from DISH Network.
-- Digitally-streamed MP3 audio programming, which will allow passengers to create a personal play list from an extensive library of audio files.
-- Pay-per-view programming available on demand, which will feature a wide-range of current offerings for all ages.
-- Multi-player interactive games that allow play between passengers.
-- Interactive iXplor moving map program with zoom capabilities and points of interest information.
-- Connecting gate information broadcast directly to personal in-seat video monitors.
-- Expandable in-flight entertainment technology, which will facilitate the opportunity to integrate additional services in the future such as in-flight shopping and on-line product purchase capabilities.
-- Gourmet food selections created by Song Consulting Executive Chef Michel Nischan, including:
-- Shaved Turkey on Foccacia
-- Rock n' Roll Veggie Sushi
-- Greek Salad
-- Premium branded beverage and food choices available on-board for purchase, including:
-- The "Song Sky High Martini" featuring Finlandia Vodka, with an olive, served in a signature martini glass.
-- The "Song Twisted Madres," a Southern Twist shaken with cranapple and orange juice.
-- Lender's bagels
-- Yoplait and Stonyfield Farms organic yogurts
-- Fresh, seasonal organic fruit
-- Onboard credit card acceptance for in-flight service items.
-- Complimentary Coca-Cola(R) products, including Dasani(R) water.
-- A simple unrestricted low-fare pricing structure with most one-way fares expected to be no more than $299.* Song will provide customers simple, user-friendly pricing options, including 14-day, 7-day, 3-day, walk-up fares and sale fares. Fares will not require a Saturday-night stay.
-- 33 inches of seat pitch, or legroom, throughout the entire aircraft. This is the most pitch available from any low-fare service's fleet and more than most major carriers.
-- Frequent flyer benefits through the Delta SkyMiles(R) program and other partner programs.
-- Simple, one-step connections with Delta's worldwide service, including interline with SkyTeam(TM) members and other partner airlines.
"Our customers will play a major role in the development of Song," said Selvaggio, a 30-year veteran of the airline industry. "They will be able to vote products and services onto the aircraft. And, with the many entertainment choices offered on Song, they will be able to make each flight what they want it to be."
Selvaggio added, "We've put a great deal of thought into everything we will offer, understanding that each time a person flies, he or she has different expectations. They may be on business and want the ability to prepare for a meeting. They may be flying with children and need something to keep them entertained. Or they may be flying for pleasure and are looking for a way to relax on board. We will be able to serve each of those customers on Song, on every flight."
Assets Unique Among Low-Fare Segment
Technology: Unlike its competitors, Song has the advantage to leverage Delta's world-class technological infrastructure to create the world's first all-digital airline product, thereby offering customers a wide-range of conveniences, including:
-- Dedicated Web site - www.flysong.com. On the Web, Delta's technology infrastructure will support flysong.com, a simple, easy to use, information-rich site on which customers can purchase tickets, find low fares, check-in for flights and print boarding cards from the convenience of their home or office.
-- First-ever book to ticket automation. Over the phone, customers will be able to book and complete purchases directly with Song through voice-recognition technology.
-- Self-service kiosks. At the airport, self-service kiosks will continue to help customers avoid lines by electronically executing high-demand transactions.
-- Efficient gate and boarding. At the gate, exclusive gate information displays will ensure that customers remain informed up-to-the-minute. Additionally, gate and boarding technology will facilitate efficient, expedited boarding.
Cost savings through higher aircraft utilization: Delta has developed a process that facilitates Song's aircraft utilization rates to be among the highest in the industry - 12.7 hours per day, a 22 percent improvement over mainline Delta's average 757 aircraft.
"Song is an aggressive initiative to compete in the low-fare market," concluded Selvaggio. "We will not only offer low fares but lower operating costs, so we can be successful where previous attempts by other major airlines have failed."
All Song flights are operated by Delta Air Lines. - Song tickets can be purchased by visiting flysong.com or by calling 1-800-FLY-SONG (1-800-359-7664). (*)Terms and Conditions
Restrictions: Tickets are non-transferable. Seats are limited and fares may not be available on all flights. Tickets: Fares are one way. Round-trip purchase is not required. Except for tickets purchased on flysong.com ticketing must be competed by midnight one day after the reservation is confirmed or at least 14/7/3/0 days prior to departure, whichever pricing selection occurs first. See flysong.com for online ticket purchase requirements and restrictions. Min./Max. Stay: None. Cancellations/Refunds/Changes: Fares are nonrefundable. Delta may permit you to apply a portion of the fare value to future travel upon payment of applicable fees and fare difference, otherwise the ticket will have no value. Contact a Song agent or visit flysong.com for details. Taxes/Fees: Fares do not include a USD 3.00 Federal Excise Tax that 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 USD 18.00, depending on itinerary, and September 11th Security Fee of up to USD 10.00 per round-trip. For travel to/from San Juan, PR, a USD 13.40 International Departure and Arrival Tax 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. Other restrictions may apply.
(R) "Coca-Cola" and "Dasani" are registered trademarks of The Coca-Cola Company and used with permission.
Contacts
Dan Klores Communications
Public Relations, 212/685-4300
Sean Cassidy, 212/981-5233
Karen Silberg, 212/981- 5232
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