American airline to start Nairobi - NY route

The airline will be the only US carrier to operate flights scheduled services to Africa, between Kenya and the United States. The four-times weekly flight will offer passengers convenient connections via Delta's New York JFK hub to around 45 business and leisure destinations throughout the US including Washington, Boston, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Seattle.

“The new direct service will offer many important travel options for business and leisure travelers thanks to the convenience of Delta's connections via New York JFK and will also serve to increase commercial ties between Kenya and the United States by providing a convenient travel option for the thousands of American tourists wanting to discover the beauty of Kenya each year, helping to boost the country's growing economy. Furthermore, this service will be the only air service operated from East Africa to the United States and for freight forwarders and cargo shippers, the route will expedite shipments of goods throughout the United States,” said Jimmy Eichelgruen, Delta's director of sales for Africa, the Middle East and India.

Delta's new service between Nairobi and New York JFK is one of several new routes between Africa and New York planned for 2008 including Lagos, Cape Town (via Dakar) and Cairo.

By summer 2008, Delta will operate service to the United States from seven African destinations in six countries. Delta will operate the new flights between Nairobi and New York JFK with Boeing 767-300ER aircraft with 214 seats in a two-class configuration featuring BusinessElite, Delta's award-winning business class service.

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.