Delta Air Lines to launch non-stop service between Amman and New York JFK

The four-times weekly flight will be the only nonstop service to the United States from Jordan operated by a U.S. carrier and will offer passengers convenient connections via Delta's New York JFK hub to around 40 business and leisure destinations throughout the United States including Los Angeles, Atlanta, Washington, Tampa and Dallas.

Speaking about the new service, Tony Charaf, Delta's senior vice president of Operations said: "We are excited to pioneer new routes that expand our global reach and add convenience to the lives of our customers. The new nonstop service will offer many important travel options for business and leisure travellers thanks to the convenience of Delta's connections via New York JFK and will also serve to increase commercial ties between Jordan and the United States by providing a convenient travel option for the thousands of American tourists wanting to discover the beauty of Jordan each year, helping to boost the country's vibrant economy. For freight forwarders and cargo shippers, the route will expedite shipments of goods throughout the United States."

Delta's new nonstop service between Amman and New York JFK will be operated using 767-300ER aircraft with up to 214 seats in a two-cabin configuration featuring Delta's award-winning BusinessElite service.

The new Amman service is one of a number of new transatlantic routes not served by any other major U.S. airline from JFK planned for 2008 including: Cairo*, Edinburgh, Lagos*, Malaga*, Dakar*, Cape Town** (via Dakar) and Nairobi* (via Dakar). Delta's nonstop service between Amman and New York JFK will be the carrier's second Middle Eastern destination, following the launch of Delta's nonstop service between Dubai and Atlanta in June this year.

Delta Air Lines operates service to more destinations than any global airline with Delta and Delta Connection flights to 315 destinations in 54 countries. Since 2005, Delta has added more international capacity than all other major U.S. airlines combined and is a leader across the Atlantic with flights to 36 trans-Atlantic markets. To Latin America and the Caribbean, Delta offers nearly 400 weekly flights to 54 destinations.

Delta's marketing alliances also allow customers to earn and redeem SkyMiles on nearly 15,000 flights offered by SkyTeam and other partners. Delta is a founding member of SkyTeam, a global airline alliance that provides customers with extensive worldwide destinations, flights and services. Including its SkyTeam and worldwide codeshare partners, Delta offers flights to 477 worldwide destinations in 103 countries.

A portion of travel for some itineraries beyond New York JFK may be operated by the Delta Connection carriers: Comair, Freedom Airlines and Shuttle America.