Delta introduces full flat-bed seats on US-Brazil flights

SAO PAULO, Brazil – Delta Air Lines today announced a significant upgrade to its service in Brazil with the introduction of full flat-bed seats in BusinessElite on all flights between the U.S. and Brazil.

Today, Delta began operating routes between New York-JFK and Sao Paulo using 767-400ER aircraft, which offer full 180-degree flat-bed seats in BusinessElite. On Dec. 14, Delta also will begin using the 767-400ER on routes between Atlanta and Sao Paulo.

The aircraft upgrade increases the number of seats Delta offers on the routes by 17 to 18 percent. Previously Delta had operated the flights using smaller Boeing 767-300 aircraft.

“The upgrade and expansion of our New York and Atlanta flights from Sao Paulo underscores our commitment to offering our customers in Brazil a superior travel experience,” said Nicolas Ferri, Delta’s vice president – Latin America and the Caribbean. “In addition to the popular flat-bed seats, the enhanced offerings in BusinessElite include upgraded in-flight entertainment, fine dining and wines, noise-canceling headphones and other amenities.”

Delta, which is working to become the best U.S. carrier in Latin America, operates 35 nonstop flights between Brazil and the U.S., including nonstop service from Atlanta, Detroit and New York-JFK to Sao Paulo, as well as nonstop service from Atlanta to Rio de Janeiro and Atlanta to Brasilia.

Last week, Delta and GOL Linhas Aereas Inteligentes announced a new agreement for a long-term exclusive commercial alliance. Under the agreement, Delta and GOL, which has a 40 percent market share in Brazil, will expand cooperation to benefit from each other’s strengths and further link Delta’s global network with one of Brazil’s largest and most successful airlines. As part of the agreement, Delta will invest $100 million in GOL and will have a seat on the GOL board of directors.

GOL, Latin America’s largest low-cost, low-fare airline, offers more than 940 daily flights that connect 51 domestic destinations in Brazil and 11 international markets in South America and the Caribbean.

All 39 BusinessElite seats onboard Delta’s Boeing 767-400ER offer a fully horizontal sleep experience with a full-size pillow and duvet, along with direct aisle access and more privacy. In addition, Delta’s customers flying in business class will earn 150 percent Medallion qualification frequent flyer miles and bonus miles.

Customers flying in Economy class will also have access to state-of-the-art personal entertainment system with thousands of choices, including Delta on Demand — an advanced, touch-screen digital entertainment system with up to 250 movies, HBO, 18 channels of satellite TV, an extensive music library with up to 4,100 songs, MP3s, and in-flight trivia.

As previously announced, Delta will also begin flying daily from Detroit to Sao Paulo as well as daily between Atlanta and Brasilia. Detroit -Sao Paulo will increase from five times a week to daily service starting Dec. 15. Atlanta to Brasilia — which began two years ago this month — increased from six times a week to daily service on Dec. 9.

“Brasilia is a natural hub for us as the capital, but more importantly, it serves all the cities in the country, particularly reaching the North, Northeast and Midwest regions of the country,” said Luiz Teixeira, Delta’s regional sales manager — Brazil.

The schedule will operate as follows:

Brasilia – Atlanta

Flight
Departs
Arrives
Frequency

221
Atlanta at 8:34 p.m.
Brasilia at 8:16 a.m. (next day)
Daily

222
Brasilia at 11:38 p.m.
Atlanta at 5:33 a.m. (next day)
Daily

Sao Paulo – Detroit

Flight
Departs
Arrives
Frequency

257
Detroit at 7:55 p.m.
Sao Paulo at 9:45 a.m. (next day)
Daily

256
Sao Paulo at 11:35 p.m.
Detroit at 7:25 a.m. (next day)
Daily