Taking Off

DELTA AIR LINES HAS COME A LONG WAY

since it first began flying operations in 1924. Back then, the now popular airline ran a humble crop-dusting operation based in Macon, Georgia, making headway as the first commercial agricultural flying company in the world. Over the years, the operation expanded to include passenger service and grew into one of the leading airlines in the world.

For years Delta operated as a successful commercial airline, currently connecting its passengers to more than 900 locations worldwide. It wasn’t until 2008, when it acquired MLT Vacations, that it became the leader in custom vacation packages through its new Delta Vacations subsidiary.

When traveling with Delta Vacations, Delta SkyMiles customers not only earn miles while in the air, but also they can earn miles as they use miles when booking select vacations.

Delta Vacations is the official vacation provider of Delta Air Lines. The company, founded back in 1969 as Mainline Travel, began solidifying its stellar reputation for offering customers truly unique vacation packages. In 1985 Northwest Airlines purchased the company, becoming one of the first airline vacation providers, better known at the time as MLT Vacations. During the Northwest Airlines and Delta Air Lines merger of 2008, MLT Vacations was absorbed into the Delta family and renamed Delta Vacations.

Today Delta Vacations is a wholly owned subsidiary of Delta Air Lines and one of the largest vacation package providers in the United States. Working directly with travel agents, Delta Vacations offers comprehensive packages including overnight stays at more than 4,500 hotels and resorts around the world in more than 300 destinations, as well as flights on both Delta Air Lines and its partners (Air France, KLM, Alitalia, Aeromexico and Virgin Atlantic).

Delta Vacations also includes airport and hotel transfers in its vacation bundles as well as rental cars, allowing guests the mobility and flexibility in their travels to head out on their own. Vacationers also have the chance to join hundreds of exciting tours and excursions available as add-ons or additional bundles to the vacation packages offered through Delta Vacations-approved travel agents. The company operates a U.S.-based Customer Engagement Center, with more than 500 employees spread throughout Atlanta, Ga.; Minot, N.D.; Minneapolis, Minn.; and other virtual locations throughout America.

Although U.S.-based, the company operates vacations both inside and outside of the United States, including in Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, Europe, Asia, Australia and the Middle East. Luxury options are also available, with a number of honeymoon and destination wedding packages. By utilizing cutting-edge technology like WorldAgent Direct, Delta Vacations’ preferred agents are able to book vacation packages online while offering flexible payment options like 24-hour holds, deposits and more.

By Kristy Alpert