ATLANTA - Delta Air Lines will offer a new daily nonstop flight between New York-JFK (JFK) and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, beginning Dec. 21, 2017, subject to U.S. Department of Transportation approval. The airline's strategic alliance with GOL Linhas Aereas Inteligentes will extend the reach of this service to 23 destinations within Brazil and provides seamless connections at Antonio Carlos Jobim International Airport (GIG) in Rio de Janeiro.
"We listen to our customers and continuously strive to offer them increasingly convenient ways to travel, both for business and leisure," said Luciano Macagno, Delta's Director-Brazil. "It is exciting to have the opportunity to offer a daily direct flight from Rio de Janeiro to our second-largest international hub at New York-JFK. Delta's continued route expansions demonstrate our commitment to the Brazilian market and the strength of our alliance with our Brazilian partner, GOL."
The GIG-JFK route will be operated using a Boeing 767-300 aircraft. The 767-300 has 35 Delta One full flat-bed seats with direct aisle access for every passenger. The aircraft also has oversized personal entertainment screens, allowing travelers to increase productivity, get more rest, as well as experience the on-demand in-flight entertainment system. Delta customers flying on Delta One will also enjoy industry-leading food with Latin-inspired meal selections by Chef Michelle Bernstein, paired with elegant wines chosen by master sommelier Andrea Robinson.
The 210-passenger aircraft also includes 32 Delta Comfort+ seats and 143 seats in the Main Cabin. Delta's latest improvements include the introduction of new sleep kits and several other upgraded amenities for passengers seated in the Main Cabin on flights to and from Brazil. Customers flying in Delta Comfort+, Delta's premium economy service, benefit from up to four additional inches of legroom and 50 percent more recline than Delta's standard international Main Cabin seats; free beer, wine, snacks; and priority boarding. Other product initiatives being rolled out across Delta's international fleet include the expansion of its Wi-Fi service.
Elite customers and passengers flying in Delta One through New York-JFK and Rio de Janeiro-GIG will also enjoy a premium airport experience at the 24,000 square-foot flagship Delta Sky Club in JFK's Terminal 4, the biggest club in Delta's system, and a recently opened GOL VIP lounge located in GIG's Terminal 2.
