Airline Investing in "Overall Travel Experience"

Delta Airlines and US Helicopter have teamed to provide an eight minute shuttle for customers traveling between Delta's hub at New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport and New York City Heliports in Midtown and Downtown Manhattan.

Beginning May 14, Delta customers will have exclusive access to frequent helicopter service that operates between the two New York City heliports and Gate 11 at JFK Terminal 3, according to Delta.
 
"More than anywhere else, in New York time matters," said Jim Whitehurst, Delta's chief operating officer. "Our enhancements for customers at JFK continue and US Helicopter's airport shuttle service is another way we're making travel easier."

In addition to the eight-minute travel time, passengers taking advantage of this partnership will enjoy TSA security clearance at NYC Heliports before arriving at JFK for departing flights enabling the helicopter to land directly in the 'sterile zone' at JFK.

Prior to arriving at the airport, passengers will be able to check-in and get boarding passes to final destinations, for both domestic and international travel. This includes baggage check for final destination for those departing from and arriving in Manhattan. 

US Helicopter will operate 27 daily flights, Monday through Friday, between the Downtown Manhattan Heliport, near Wall Street, the Atlantic Metroport at East 34th Street in Midtown Manhattan and Delta's Terminal 3, Gate 11 at JFK. Additional service is offered between Manhattan and Bridgeport, Conn.

Online booking will be available May 31, 2007.

Other such customer-friendly actions accompany Delta's ongoing enhancements at JFK as part of a multi-million dollar investment in "the overall travel experience" since the carrier's April 30 emergence from bankruptcy. For example, BusinessElite, domestic First Class, Medallion-level SkyMiles and SkyTeam Elite Plus customers enjoy a dedicated check-in area in Terminal 2. Passengers can check in through either self-service kiosks or with a live Delta representative before proceeding directly to the security checkpoints.

"Delta is entering a new era with tremendous momentum," said Jerry Murphy, chief executive officer and president of US Helicopter. "We are excited about our new partnership and being in a position to support them by offering business travelers unparalleled service during their airport commute."

FMI: www.ushelicopter.com, www.delta.com