General Lee
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Press Release Source: Song
Delta's Song Begins Service to All Three Major New York Area Airports
Monday August 4, 6:01 am ET
LaGuardia Debut Makes Song First and Only Low-Fare Service to Fly from LaGuardia, JFK and Newark
First Flight Departs from LaGuardia to Tampa
NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 4, 2003-- Song(TM), Delta Air Lines' new service designed to change customer expectations of high-quality, low-fare air travel, begins service from LaGuardia on Monday, August 4 with its maiden voyage from LaGuardia Airport to Tampa International Airport. This flight marks Song's expansion of service to all three major New York metropolitan area airports.
The inaugural flight departs LaGuardia at 11:30 a.m., and is scheduled to arrive in Tampa at 2:04 p.m. Additionally, the first flight from Tampa to LaGuardia departs at 7:00 a.m. and is scheduled to arrive in LaGuardia at 9:35 a.m. Song will initially offer for two daily roundtrip flights between LaGuardia and Tampa, and plans to add service to Ft. Lauderdale, Orlando and West Palm Beach.
"We are very pleased to be able to provide our customers traveling to and from the New York area more options and greater flexibility," said John Selvaggio, president of Song. "We are reintroducing fun, excitement and, most importantly, choice into the travel experience; we are very excited to be flying out of all three major New York area airports, making Song the convenient choice for low-fare, high-quality air travel."
Song, which will provide direct non-stop service initially between cities in the Northeast United States and key Florida leisure destinations, plus Atlanta, Los Angeles, Las Vegas and San Juan, will offer over 142 daily non-stop flights by October. Additionally, Song will service 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 (October 2003). Song is partnering with Matsu**CENSORED****CENSORED****CENSORED****CENSORED**a Avionics Systems and EchoStar Communications Corporation (Nasdaq
ISH - News) 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 Executive Chef Michel Nischan, including:
California vegetable soft taco.
Organic caesar chicken salad.
Organic gazpacho.
Premium branded beverage and food choices available on-board for purchase, including:
Stolichnaya Bloody Mary cocktails and Kahlua White Russians.
The "Song Sunrise," a cocktail created for Song containing a blend of Stolichnaya Vodka and fresh cranberry and orange juices and served in the first-ever in-flight martini glasses.
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(TM) products, including Dasani water.
A simple unrestricted low-fare pricing structure with most one-way fares expected to be no more than $299.(a) 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 more legroom, throughout the entire aircraft. This is the most legroom available from any low-fare service's fleet and more than most major carriers.
Frequent flyer benefits through the Delta SkyMiles® 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. 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 lower fares, check-in for flights and print boarding cards from the convenience of their home or office.
First-ever book to ticket automation. (Available in fall 2003) Over the phone, customers will 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."
Song is an innovative low-fare service, which will provide non-stop flights between the Northeast and key Florida leisure destinations, plus Atlanta, Los Angeles, Las Vegas and San Juan, with over 142 daily flights on 36 Boeing 757 aircraft. All Song flights are operated by Delta Air Lines. Song tickets can be purchased by visiting flysong.com.
I know this is a press release and very biased---but there is a lot of good info here. I just watch John Salvaggio on CNBC get grilled and he had some good answers. ( I have also seen Neeleman from Jetblue on the show give the same type answers)
He said the July load factor was 77%, and that was better than expected. He claims that SONG will help Delta become more profitable, and said that despite the higher employee costs (pilots)--they have other ways to help with better efficiencies and Delta technology help. He also said that SONG will not take over mainline and that it will avoid the larger hubs to a large extent. (Song does currently fly from ATL-JFK). I think it is interesting indeed. And, the CNBC lady did make a big point that service to all three NYC airports was great--since not everyone from Manhattan or NJ wants to drive all the way to JFK. And yes, the TV system will not be ready until "Early 2004"--whatever that means......
Bye Bye--General Lee
Delta's Song Begins Service to All Three Major New York Area Airports
Monday August 4, 6:01 am ET
LaGuardia Debut Makes Song First and Only Low-Fare Service to Fly from LaGuardia, JFK and Newark
First Flight Departs from LaGuardia to Tampa
NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 4, 2003-- Song(TM), Delta Air Lines' new service designed to change customer expectations of high-quality, low-fare air travel, begins service from LaGuardia on Monday, August 4 with its maiden voyage from LaGuardia Airport to Tampa International Airport. This flight marks Song's expansion of service to all three major New York metropolitan area airports.
The inaugural flight departs LaGuardia at 11:30 a.m., and is scheduled to arrive in Tampa at 2:04 p.m. Additionally, the first flight from Tampa to LaGuardia departs at 7:00 a.m. and is scheduled to arrive in LaGuardia at 9:35 a.m. Song will initially offer for two daily roundtrip flights between LaGuardia and Tampa, and plans to add service to Ft. Lauderdale, Orlando and West Palm Beach.
"We are very pleased to be able to provide our customers traveling to and from the New York area more options and greater flexibility," said John Selvaggio, president of Song. "We are reintroducing fun, excitement and, most importantly, choice into the travel experience; we are very excited to be flying out of all three major New York area airports, making Song the convenient choice for low-fare, high-quality air travel."
Song, which will provide direct non-stop service initially between cities in the Northeast United States and key Florida leisure destinations, plus Atlanta, Los Angeles, Las Vegas and San Juan, will offer over 142 daily non-stop flights by October. Additionally, Song will service 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 (October 2003). Song is partnering with Matsu**CENSORED****CENSORED****CENSORED****CENSORED**a Avionics Systems and EchoStar Communications Corporation (Nasdaq
ISH - News) 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 Executive Chef Michel Nischan, including:
California vegetable soft taco.
Organic caesar chicken salad.
Organic gazpacho.
Premium branded beverage and food choices available on-board for purchase, including:
Stolichnaya Bloody Mary cocktails and Kahlua White Russians.
The "Song Sunrise," a cocktail created for Song containing a blend of Stolichnaya Vodka and fresh cranberry and orange juices and served in the first-ever in-flight martini glasses.
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(TM) products, including Dasani water.
A simple unrestricted low-fare pricing structure with most one-way fares expected to be no more than $299.(a) 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 more legroom, throughout the entire aircraft. This is the most legroom available from any low-fare service's fleet and more than most major carriers.
Frequent flyer benefits through the Delta SkyMiles® 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. 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 lower fares, check-in for flights and print boarding cards from the convenience of their home or office.
First-ever book to ticket automation. (Available in fall 2003) Over the phone, customers will 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."
Song is an innovative low-fare service, which will provide non-stop flights between the Northeast and key Florida leisure destinations, plus Atlanta, Los Angeles, Las Vegas and San Juan, with over 142 daily flights on 36 Boeing 757 aircraft. All Song flights are operated by Delta Air Lines. Song tickets can be purchased by visiting flysong.com.
I know this is a press release and very biased---but there is a lot of good info here. I just watch John Salvaggio on CNBC get grilled and he had some good answers. ( I have also seen Neeleman from Jetblue on the show give the same type answers)
He said the July load factor was 77%, and that was better than expected. He claims that SONG will help Delta become more profitable, and said that despite the higher employee costs (pilots)--they have other ways to help with better efficiencies and Delta technology help. He also said that SONG will not take over mainline and that it will avoid the larger hubs to a large extent. (Song does currently fly from ATL-JFK). I think it is interesting indeed. And, the CNBC lady did make a big point that service to all three NYC airports was great--since not everyone from Manhattan or NJ wants to drive all the way to JFK. And yes, the TV system will not be ready until "Early 2004"--whatever that means......
Bye Bye--General Lee
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