Introduction
Delta Airline is a leading air transport company in the United States of America. Based in Atlanta, the airline has continued to grow and expand its market share into many other parts of the world. Currently, the leading airline company has over 80, 500 employees and operates 5,000 flights daily, in over 58 world countries (Delta Airlines, 2012). The firm has a flight hub at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, which is one of the world’s busiest airports. Other key flight hubs operated by the airline include LaGuardia Airport, John F. Kennedy International Airport and Memphis International Airport in the US, and Narita International Airport in Tokyo, Japan ((Delta Airlines, 2012). Delta Airline has partnered with many other leading airlines across the world with a view to consolidating growth and relevance in the competitive air transport industry. Currently, the firm operates a fleet of over 720 aircrafts, which are mainly manufactured by Boeing and Airbus. Today, the firm has over $43 billion worth of assets (Delta Airline, 2012).
Current Trends and Services
Delta Airline offers high quality flight services at competitive air fare, making many people to want to fly with. This has greatly contributed to its growth, despite obstacles such as economic uncertainties, skyrocketing fuel prices and slow economic growth (Jane, 2012). The firm operates some of the largest, state-of-the-art airline fleets globally. For example, the airline’s cabin is divided into various classes, including Business Elite, Economy Comfort Class and the Economy Class (Delta Airline, 2010). Besides the high-tech seats, passengers are provided with complimentary meals, snacks and drinks.
Moreover, the firm currently provides free Wi-Fi internet in their aircrafts. Passengers travelling with Wi-Fi enabled electric devices can access free internet and perform various operations with their devices as they fly (Delta Airline, 2010). This implies that travelers can conveniently execute internet-related tasks on-board Delta aircrafts at no extra cost. In addition, Delta Airlines has been in the forefront in adopting new entertainment technologies and affording its passengers a range of state-of-the-art on-board entertainment (Mary, 2010). To this end, the airline continues to embrace newest audio and video technologies as it strives to make their customers’ travel experience as comfortable and convenient as possible.
The company runs members-only airport lounges called Sky Clubs. Passengers can purchase membership using cash or accumulated travel miles. Members are provided with free books and magazines to read, non-alcoholic and alcoholic drinks, snacks, Wi-Fi (Delta Airline, 2010). Furthermore, Delta Airline offers its customers a bonus, referred to as the Sky Bonus. The program, purposely designed for small and medium businesses traveling with the airline, enable the travelers to accumulate flight points, which they can redeem for free upgrade and travel, as well as membership to the Sky Club (Delta Airline, 2010). The airline has also sponsored various sports teams and entertainment organizations such as Grammy Awards and London soccer clubs (Ben, 2012).
Delta Airline’s Profitability and Success
The aforementioned services have played a key role in the success of Delta Airline. By providing high quality customer care services and amenities, the firm has continued to retain its customers and attract new travelers as satisfied passengers spread the word (Jane, 2012). This has increased the airline’s profitability. The good reputation and business image derived from the firm’s state-of-the-art flight services has also enabled Delta Airline to attract partners within the highly competitive global airline industry, leading to mergers and successful expansion into new markets beyond the United States (Jane, 2012).
Conclusion
The domestic and global aviation industry is faced with an array of challenges, including high fuel prices, weather uncertainties, slow economic growth and economic uncertainties. Despite these obstacles and stiff competition, Delta Airlines has continued to grow and increase its profitability. This is due to its outstanding flight services, customer care and trends, which have helped the firm to attract and retain a large passenger base.
References
Ben, K. (2012, June). Delta to Sponsor London Soccer Club. WallStreet Journal. Retrieved 3
April, 2013 from http://news.delta.com/index.php?s=43&item=870
Delta Airline. (2010). Delta to Invest in Customer Experience, Fleet Efficiency. Retrieved 3
April, 2013 from http://news.delta.com/index.php?s=43&item=870
Delta Airlines. (2012). Annual Report: Form 10-K. Retrieved 3 April, 2013 from
http://pdf.secdatabase.com/2905/0001445305-12-000272.pdf
Jane, M. (2012). Delta Profit Surpasses Estimates as Higher Fares Outpace Rising Fuel Costs.
Retrieved 3 April, 2013 from http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-01-25/delta-air-lines-profit-tops-estimates-as-fares-outpace-rising-fuel-costs.html
Mary, K. (2010). Update: Delta Air Lines to launch Panasonic's Fusion (Smart!!!). Retrieved 3
April, 2013 from http://www.flightglobal.com/blogs/runway-girl/2010/07/delta-air-lines-to-launch-pana.html
