Delta is deepening its partnership with Lyft, with plans to integrate more features from the ride-hailing supplier into the Fly Delta app.
The first step of the expanded partnership, expected in 2020, would add touchpoints within the app for travelers to link their SkyMiles and Lyft accounts, through which they can earn miles during Lyft rides. The companies are exploring eventually introducing such features as enabling travelers to pay for rides with miles and "a dedicated premium Delta-Lyft experience at some of the busiest U.S. airports," according to Delta.
The Lyft partnership is part of Delta's plan to turn its app into a "digital concierge" that is "the ultimate travel companion for all points of your journey, with an eye on expanding the convenience and value of using miles as a form of payment for services with Delta and partners," according to Delta CEO Ed Bastian. Another step toward that will be the planned introduction later this month of virtual queuing in the app, in which travelers would be notified when their specific seat, not just their flight, is boarding. Delta recently has added app features including integrated security wait times in some markets and pre-selected meals.
The app news was one of several technology-related announcements made by Delta on Tuesday during the CES 2020 show in Las Vegas. The airline also announced:
- Delta plans to launch in the spring a new machine-learning tool for its operations teams. The platform will help Delta employees make decisions during major disruptions, analyzing such data points as aircraft positions and flight crew restrictions. It also will provide a "post-mortem" after disruptions showing how different decisions could have improved a response.
- Delta will test a new "parallel reality" experience at Detroit Metropolitan Airport this year. With it, passengers can scan their boarding pass near a digital screen and see customized information in their selected language as they walk past the screen, such as directions to their gate, boarding time and upgrade/standby status.
Delta is working with Sarcos Robotics to test exoskeleton suits for employees that helps them with heavy lifting. The suits can enable employees to lift up to 200 pounds repeatedly over an eight-hour shift without strain or fatigue, according to Delta.