Taking a page from its Song book, Delta Air Lines this fall is unveiling new digital entertainment systems for all passengers on domestic transcontinental flights. The carrier is launching the new features first on its fleet of former Song aircraft, which comprised 48 Boeing 757s, for flights from its New York and Atlanta hubs. While under the Song flag, the aircraft operated in all-coach mode, but Delta is reconfiguring those aircraft into a two-class product—taking them from a 199-seat configuration to 184 seats, 26 of which will be in the first class cabin.
Bankrupt Delta last October said it would "merge" its low-fare Song service into domestic mainline service as part of an effort to "tap the best features" of both operations
(BTNonline, Oct. 28, 2005).
Delta said that between September and November it will push out about 18 aircraft per month to include the new entertainment system, which offers 24 live TV channels and music, video games, interactive services and a rotating roster of 20 movies.
During the next two years, Delta said it would expand the product to more than 100 aircraft, specifically geared toward customers traveling more than 1,750 miles or four hours. Delta COO Jim Whitehurst today during a conference call said the focus of the new offering is on domestic long-haul, but aircraft with upgraded cabin would appear throughout other markets—even short-haul ones—depending on aircraft rotation schedules. Delta also is in the midst of upgrading international products
(BTN, July 17).