Delta has requested authorization from the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) to introduce two weekly flights between Detroit and São Paulo beginning November 4, 2010. 

Delta already holds certain rights to operate São Paulo service, but requires DOT permission to fly from Detroit. The airline would operate the flights using 216-seat Boeing 767-300ER aircraft with 35 seats in BusinessElite and 181 seats in Economy Class.

“Adding South America’s largest business market of São Paulo to Detroit’s wide array of destinations builds on our efforts to continue to expand service for both local and connecting Detroit customers,” said Andrea Fischer Newman, senior vice president – Government Affairs.

“Detroit continues to grow in its strategic importance to Delta’s route network as a major connecting point between Asia and hundreds of U.S. and international destinations.”

The governments of the United States and Brazil have agreed to an expansion of U.S. carrier opportunities, and Delta has separately applied for new rights to increase Detroit-São Paulo to daily service as soon as permitted by Brazil.

“We’re thrilled Delta chose Detroit for the expansion of international service to South America,” said Wayne County Executive Robert A. Ficano. “The confidence Delta has instilled in Detroit Metro Airport will play a major role in continued development of the Aerotropolis, further transforming our region into a gateway for international commerce. We are grateful that Delta remains committed to growing Detroit as an international gateway.”

Delta currently serves 138 destinations from its Detroit hub, including 16 international destinations. Delta customers flying at Detroit Metropolitan Airport enjoy service at the state-of-the-art, 120-gate terminal designed specifically for international connections. Detroit’s airport was recently ranked No. 1 among large airports in overall customer satisfaction by J.D. Power and Associates.

Between Brazil and the United States, Delta currently offers more than 30 nonstop weekly flights.  This includes service between Atlanta and São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Fortaleza, and Manaus; and service between New York-JFK and São Paulo.  In December, Delta became the first and only airline to offer nonstop service to Brazil’s capital city, with nonstop service between Atlanta and Brasília.

Whether hitting the famous beaches at Copacabana or Ipanema, ascending the rocky spire of Corcovado, or soaking in the Dionysian spirit of Carnaval, customers will have another access to these and other Brazil’s charms: Beginning Oct. 1, Delta Air Lines offers a new daily service from Atlanta to Rio de Janeiro.

Delta plans to serve Rio daily from Atlanta with Boeing 767-300ER aircraft, carrying 204 passengers in a two-class configuration.

“Customers now have more choices to fly directly to either of Brazil’s two largest cities – Rio de Janeiro or Sao Paulo – from Delta’s convenient Latin American gateway in Atlanta,” said James Sarvis, director-Latin America and Caribbean.

“International markets are growing in customer demand, and Brazil represents a very attractive and strategic tourist and business destination for travelers. Delta is pleased to be adding service to this rapidly growing market as we expand our international destinations.”

According to the company, Delta’s new Rio service is part of its continued focus on connecting customers to popular destinations in Latin America and the Caribbean.

On Dec. 1, 2004, the airline began second daily flights to San Jose, Costa Rica, and São Paulo, and also re-launched service to Buenos Aires, Argentina.

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 490 destinations in 85 countries on Delta, Song, Delta Shuttle, the Delta Connection carriers and its worldwide partners.

Delta’s schedule between Atlanta and Rio de Janeiro, effective October 1st:

Flight  Departs                               Arrives
61     Atlanta at 8:35 p.m.               Rio de Janeiro at 7:10 a.m., +1 day
60     Rio de Janeiro at 9:55 p.m.   Atlanta at 6:40 a.m. +1 day

Delta Air Lines
www.delta.com

PRNewswire