Delta Slashes Everyday Fares up to 50 Percent

Jan. 5 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Starting today, customers flying on Delta Air Lines will pay as much as 50 percent less for their ticket as the airline expands its SimpliFares for travel within the 48 contiguous United States.

As part of Delta's transformation plan announced in September, SimpliFares lower unrestricted fares will save customers hundreds of dollars each trip on flights operated by Delta and certain Delta Connection carriers. With SimpliFares, no fare -- including last-minute walk-ups -- is higher than $499 one way* in economy or $599 one way* in first class. Additional taxes, fees, and restrictions apply, and fares are available only for purchase on delta.com or from a travel agent (see terms and conditions, below). Customers booking on delta.com can choose refundable or non-refundable tickets and save even more by purchasing tickets three, seven or 14 days in advance of travel. Roundtrip purchase is required for some fares, but customers never have to stay over a Saturday night. Additionally, with SimpliFares, Delta has reduced the ticket change fee to $50 from $100.

"We're expanding SimpliFares based on feedback from our customers, who are calling for simpler, more affordable everyday fares," said Delta's CEO Jerry Grinstein. "Now customers can be sure that flying Delta means not only an extensive network, customer-friendly technology, strong partnerships and the rewarding SkyMiles loyalty program, it also means easy, accessible and reliable prices. Taking SimpliFares nationwide is part of Delta's commitment to improve the travel experience and also to produce significant savings through simpler, more efficient ways of doing business -- and there's more to come."

Delta introduced SimpliFares in August 2004 in Cincinnati, its second- largest hub. In addition to SimpliFares, Delta is redesigning its aircraft cabins with new brighter interiors and all-leather seats and has simplified its SkyMiles program. Later this year, Delta will unveil other changes, including improving customers' online experience at delta.com, revising its onboard food product and unveiling new employee uniforms, as part of an ongoing company-wide overhaul to make the passenger experience more comfortable, affordable, simple, stylish and inviting.

SimpliFares are easily accessible at delta.com. Customers who purchase tickets through delta.com can receive 1,000 bonus miles with no direct ticketing fees. Keeping in line with the rest of the industry, tickets purchased over the telephone from Delta Reservations will now cost $5 more per ticket and $10 more if purchased at Delta ticketing locations, including at the airport. These additional costs apply to original ticket sales on Delta, Delta Shuttle, Delta Connection, and Song, Delta's low-fare air service, and are non-refundable.

Delta Air Lines is the world's second-largest airline in terms of passengers carried and the leading U.S. carrier across the Atlantic, offering daily flights to 487 destinations in 88 countries on Delta, Song, Delta Shuttle, the Delta Connection carriers and its worldwide partners. Delta's marketing alliances allow customers to earn and redeem frequent flier miles on more than 14,000 flights offered by SkyTeam and other 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 visit delta.com.

A portion of travel for some itineraries may be on the Delta Connection carriers: Atlantic Southeast Airlines, Chautauqua Airlines, Comair, and SkyWest; codeshare partner, American Eagle; or Song, Delta's low-fare service.

*Terms & Conditions:

Restrictions: SimpliFares are available for travel only in the contiguous 48 states. Fare cap of $499/$599 and no Saturday night stay do not apply to certain Delta-marketed codeshare flights operated by SkyWest, Northwest, Continental or Alaska Airlines. Fares shown are available for purchase only on delta.com or from your travel agent. Tickets cost $5 more if purchased from Delta over the telephone or $10 more if purchased at an airport or city ticket office. Travel agents may impose an additional service charge for ticketing. Tickets are non-transferable. Seats are limited and fares may not be available on all flights or in all markets. Tickets: Except for the full fares noted above, tickets must be purchased on a roundtrip basis. Ticketing must be completed by midnight one day after the reservations are confirmed or, for discounted tickets, at least 3, 7, 14, or 21 days prior departure, whichever occurs first. See delta.com for online ticket purchase requirements and restrictions. Minimum Stay: Except for the full fares quoted above, one night. Cancellations/Refunds/Changes: Except for the full fares noted above, which are refundable except as noted in restrictions above, 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 Delta agent or visit delta.com for details. Taxes/Fees: Fares do not include a $3.20 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 $18.00, depending on itinerary or September 11th Security Fee of up to $10 per roundtrip. These taxes and 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.

Source: Delta Air Lines