Latin Trade Magazine recognizes with two awards the value of the airline's enhanced services and strong long-term alliances with regional partners

(TRAVPR.COM) USA - February 21st, 2014 - Delta Air Lineshas been honored with two top distinctions by Latin Trade's Best of Travel Annual Awards 2014. Delta is the only U.S. airline in this year's rankings, leading the categories of "Most Improvement Overall" and "Best Partnerships and Alliances," recognizing Delta's improvements in customer experience and strengthened partnerships with regional airlines GOL Linhas Aereas Inteligentes, Aeromexico and Aerolineas Argentinas.

"We are humbled to see our efforts recognized by the readers of one of the most influential business publications in the region.  These awards validate the focus, strategy and diligent work Delta employees execute to achieve our goal of becoming the best U.S. airline in Latin America and the Caribbean," said Nicolas Ferri, Delta's vice president for Latin America and the Caribbean. "As Delta's partners, GOL and Aeromexico are also committed to building a better overall experience and global network for our customers."

Over the last two years, Delta Air Lines has invested more than $3 billion to improve all levels of services.  Customers can expect an enhanced experience from the moment they book their reservation on the recently re-launched www.delta.com, to their arrival at the newly designed international terminals at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport and John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York, to the superb on-board experience. These improvements also include the remodeling of Delta's fleet to add full flat-bed seats in the BusinessElite cabin, popular Economy Comfort seats, a redesigned menu for BusinessElite by Chef Michelle Bernstein, as well as Master Sommelier Andrea Robinson's upgraded wine program, and the expansion of its state-of-the-art entertainment system in flights to and from Latin America and the Caribbean.

"We are very pleased to present two awards to an airline that has been part of business travel in the region for so many years, and which made an outstanding improvement in services offerings last year," said Maria Gallo, Executive Director of the Latin Trade Group.  "Receiving one award is a good sign of leadership; receiving two is a strong indicator of an airline moving truly in the direction of service quality and customer satisfaction."

"Delta was recognized not only for its great improvements, but also for having the best partnerships and alliances in the region. Our readers appreciate the connectivity that these alliances have brought to them for both business as well as leisure travel," said Santiago Gutierrez, Executive Editor for Latin Trade Group. "Delta is the only U.S. airline to receive not one but two important awards and this speaks highly of their steadfast dedication. Delta keeps climbing to new heights and we celebrate their dedication to excellence."

Delta's strategic alliances with GOL Linhas Aereas Inteligentes provide customers access in Brazil to 99 percent of domestic demand points– more than any other U.S. airline. In Mexico, Delta's customers have access to a large network of flights to the interior of the country. Likewise, the alliance with Aerolineas Argentinas increases Delta's offerings in South America.

Latin Trade's Best of Travel Annual Awards 2014 were selected by an editorial board composed of the Magazine's staff and a group of journalists with broad experience in business travel and the airline industry.

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