Delta Air Lines Inc. has started non-stop service between New York City's John F. Kennedy International Airport and Lyon, France.
Atlanta-based Delta (NYSE: DAL) is the only carrier to fly non-stop between the U.S. and France's second-largest city. In all, the carrier now flies direct from the United States to three major French cities.
The JFK- Saint-Exupéry International Airport route started Thursday. Return flights start Friday. Flights are offered five times a week to and from Lyon.
The carrier flies non-stop from the U.S. to more cities in France than any other airline, Delta said.
"Our new service to Lyon -- France's second-largest city, a thriving business destination and a growing tourist gateway to the Alps -- strengthens Delta's position as the leading carrier across the Atlantic," said Lee Macenczak, Delta executive vice president for sales and marketing. "Together with our joint-venture partner Air France we offer passengers the best travel options between the U.S. and Europe, the Middle East and Africa."
Through its partnership with Air France, Delta links Lyon to 40 other European cities, Delta said.
Along with its planned merger with Eagan, Minn.-based Northwest Airlines Corp. (NYSE: NWA), Delta has leveraged much of its economic recovery plans on expanding lucrative international service. Record fuel prices have cost Delta at least $4 billion, the airline has said.
To cope with fuel costs, Delta plans to cut its domestic capacity by 13 percent, while boosting international service by 14 percent, though the airline has announced reductions in some international routes to better reflect seasonal demand.
Source: http://atlanta.bizjournals.com/atlanta/stories/2008/07/14/daily81.html?ana=yfcpc