During a solemn ceremony organized by the Delta Airlines, KingFisher Airlines and Port Authority of New York and New Jersey at the Double Tree Hotel in Manhattan on November 1, 2006, in the presence of Indian American community and business leaders, local government officials and media persons, it was officially announced that Delta airlines would start nonstop flight from New York’s John F. Kennedy airport to Mumbai beginning this month.
The new route is the latest milestone in the ongoing restructuring of Delta’s route network to connect more global centers of commerce to the United States nonstop, replacing routes that previously required flight connections in Europe, benefiting thousands of passengers who fly into India daily, and saving them hours of waiting time and other transit visa requirements.
The luncheon offered opportunities for travel professionals to meet with representatives from Incredible India, Delta Air Lines and Kingfisher Airlines to learn more about the new travel options to India. There were several keynote speakers including, Snarlyne Khyriem, the newly appointed Director of India Tourism; Neelam Deo, Consul General of India in New York; Bob Cortelyou, Delta Air Lines VP of Network Planning; Sudhan Thomas, Kingfisher Airlines Regional Director, North America; Carlisle Towery, President of the Greater Jamaica Development Corporation; Alan Reiss, Deputy Director Aviation Department of the Port Authority of NY/NJ; and a very special address by Congressman Gregory Meeks, of District 6. Symbolizing the international link and partnership between the U.S. and India, Congressman Meeks presented India’s Consul General Ms. Deo with the key to the city of Jamaica.
While Delta is keen on capturing the Indian market, Dr. Vijay Mallya, Chairman and Sudhan Thomas – Regional Director (North America) – of Kingfisher Airlines are going to capture much of business travelers by their innovative approaches. The venture also marked the start of a partnership between Delta Air Lines and Kingfisher Airlines that will allow for passengers traveling on Delta Air Lines to quickly and conveniently connect from Mumbai to the rest of India.
 Effective December 01st, 2006, Kingfisher Airlines will offer departures at 2;45 a.m. from Mumbai International Airport, connecting to Bangalore, Chennai, Ahmadabad and Delhi. These new flights will allow guests arriving at Mumbai International Airport on Delta Air Lines to reach their final destination within India by eliminating the problems commonly experienced by international travelers, including long transit delays and terminal transfers.
“We understand that our customers’ most valuable commodity is their time, and we are giving back thousands of hours each year to customers flying between the United States and India who previously had to make international connections to reach Mumbai,” said Bob Cortelyou, Delta’s vice president – Network Planning.
Between Mumbai and New York, Delta will operate service using Boeing 777-200ER aircraft seating up to 268 passengers with 50 seats in BusinessElite, Delta’s award-winning business class service. By summer, all customers choosing to fly BusinessElite between Mumbai and New York will enjoy Delta’s recently enhanced service, including more comfortable seats with all-leather coverings, improved leg rests, more comfortable cushioning throughout the seat, and the same 60 inches of legroom that has made BusinessElite a customer favorite.
Customers in both business and economy cabins on flights between New York and India will enjoy authentic Indian cuisine and by summer, enhanced in-seat entertainment featuring more than 20 first-run and popular classic movies, a variety of TV programs, a broad range of music and a suite of 12 video games. Also, in 2008, Delta will introduce fully horizontal lie-flat seats on its Boeing 777 fleet, offering improved comfort for all business class customers flying between New York and Mumbai.
“Being a truly global airline requires more than a route network that takes customers where they want to go. Delta also takes great pride in serving international customers with the international expertise they expect,” Cortelyou said. “Customers flying Delta to India will enjoy specially designed Indian cuisine and excellent service from a team of trained Hindi-speaking flight
At the Delta Air Lines terminal at John F. Kennedy International Airport that evening, travelers on Delta’s first direct flight to Mumbai were encouraged to participate in the festivities celebrating the launch prior to their departure. Travelers were welcomed to a full Indian ambiance including a festively decorated gate, a sitar performance, mehandi designs, as well as Indian delicacies.  Among the well-wishers were Gerry Carolan, moderator and Delta Air Lines VP of Labor Relations; Ehrlich Lobo, Delta Air Lines Manager Consolidator Sales; Sudhan Thomas, Kingfisher Airlines Regional Director, North America; and Venkatesan Dhattareyan, Assistant Director of India Tourism, who initiated the special rite of coconut breaking and the lighting of the electric lamp to favor the travelers safe flight. Delta Air Line’s Gerry Carolan closed the event by inviting the partners to assist her in the cutting of the ceremonial ribbon before boarding.     
To celebrate the new service, Delta is offering special low introductory fares to invite customers to try its newest international routes. Fares between New York and Mumbai are as low as $449 one way for travel between Nov. 1, 2006 and March 31, 2007,. The new flight will provide needed air service to the growing number of leisure travelers from the United States. The burgeoning financial prowess of the metropolitan center of Mumbai is also attracting a sweeping number of business travelers to the region. India has seen a 19% increase in travel from the United States to India over the past three years, and the growing financial prowess of the metropolitan center of Mumbai.  Mumbai is also the fashion and entertainment capital of India.
Kingfisher Airlines started with just four flights daily and today, it offers 108 flights daily connecting 17 key Indian business and leisure destinations and has won three prestigious awards from Aviation Experts, Aviation Business Research Analysts and Travel and Tourism Writers of international repute.
Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation (CAPA) bestowed upon Kingfisher Airlines the "Best New Airline of the Year" Award in the Asia-Pacific and Middle East region. It was soon followed by "Service Excellence for a New Airline" award from Skytrax, a UK based specialist global air transport advisor. More recently, the "Best New Domestic Airline for Excellent Services and Cuisine" award from Pacific Area Travel Writers Association (PATWA), the biggest travel writers' organisation, representing members from 70 countries across the globe. Lastly in a survey conducted by the Times of India - India's leading daily newspaper, 46% of the participants voted Kingfisher Airlines 'The Best Airline" and "India's Favourite Carrier". These awards are known as the hallmark of performance and achievement across the world and are much sought-after by airlines and aviation related companies.
 
 

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