March 15, 2010
Delta’s CEO talks PDX
I like to look at the way things evolve, how events turn out to be connected in ways you never expected.
Who would have thought, for instance, when I traveled to Portland in 2004 to help launch Northwest Airlines’ first nonstop flight from PDX to Narita International Airport in Tokyo as CEO of Northwest, that some six years later, I would be blogging about Delta Air Lines’ international flights out of Portland? First of all, that I would be doing something called “blogging,” and second, that my path would have led me to the role of CEO of Delta.
Even with the inevitable waves in the domestic and global economies over the years, changing business plans, mergers, and the ways we communicate, i.e. Facebook, Twitter, etc., Delta is once again providing nonstop transoceanic service from Portland to Tokyo, and now Amsterdam as well.
We understand this service is crucial to Portland, and we appreciate the proactive and innovative efforts Portland has made to ensure these flights succeed over the long term. It’s a unique partnership we’ve shared with the people of Oregon and southwestern Washington, the tourism industries there, and the people who want to see and experience Asia, Europe and beyond. This partnership includes the local International Air Service Committee which has reached out in new ways to remind everyone that these flights make a real difference in people’s lives, culturally and economically. Portland may not be the biggest market, but it’s clear it has advocates who champion its strengths, who work with real determination and originality to procure and maintain the best service possible for its citizens, its businesses and its visitors. The partnership also includes Portland’s residents who are very vocal fans of their airport and who place great value on their nonstop air service.
Just over a year ago, Delta signed an agreement with Alaska Air Group that made their airlines our preferred West Coast alliance partner. As a direct result, Delta added our first nonstop flight between Los Angeles and Sydney, Australia, and increased flight options by more than 40 percent at PDX. We’re investing $1 billion through 2013 to improve your customer experience in the air and on the ground. We’re enhancing the B767 seats in both business and economy class with new in-seat entertainment, and we’re installing new full bed seats in business class.
And Delta has a long history of serving the West Coast. From a notable flight between Atlanta and Los Angeles in 1962 that set the record as the fastest flight between Atlanta and the West Coast, to our recent alliance with Alaska, we have always found ways to invest in our West Coast customers. And we’ll continue to do so.
Richard Anderson, CEO Delta Air Lines
Photos provided by the office of Richard Anderson
Spread the word:
Jim posted on March 15, 2010 at 1:21 pm
Thanks for bringing your non-stop international flights to Portland. Your non-stop to Amsterdam is incredible and saves so much time for Portlanders traveling to Europe. Thanks!!!
Teresa posted on March 15, 2010 at 1:48 pm
Thank you for recognizing the importance of the Delta International non-stop flights to Portland. Having just returned from a tourism tradeshow in Germany via the Amsterdam non-stop to Portland, I can say that this flight is very important for both business travel and promoting Oregon tourism to the international markets. Because of the non-stop, I was able to save time and money, arriving and departing in an expedient manner. At the show, clients confirmed that the non-stop service is a real plus in continuing to grow our market share. The great in flight service helped to make the 10 hour journey a more comfortable one.
Holly posted on March 15, 2010 at 1:48 pm
We appreciate Delta’s commitment to this market and keeping Oregon’s international business strong–thanks!
Eric Aebi posted on March 15, 2010 at 2:16 pm
The Delta connections to Tokyo and Amsterdam allow my business to be more efficient, and save money. For a small business like mine, these connections make a world of difference! Thanks, Delta!
PS: Great news about the 767 seat upgrades in business class!!!
Barbara Steinfeld posted on March 15, 2010 at 2:18 pm
It is gratifying to hear Richard Anderson recognize the efforts of the Portland hospitality community. The Delta flights are critical to our success and we work hard to maintain them. Thank you for seeing that and saying so! We will keep working to fill both diretions.
Barbara Steinfeld
Tourism Vice President
Travel Portland
randy posted on March 15, 2010 at 2:48 pm
THANK YOU, Delta!! You are the reason that all of us in the Portland region should be supporting you! Most other airlines just think of PDX as a location to generate income, but Delta invests here, and we need to give you respectful support!! Thanks for your confidence in our future!!
Doreen posted on March 15, 2010 at 4:22 pm
With the changes in the travel and tourism industry, the ups and downs of the economy, and the additional ways we speak via blogging and tweets, Richard’s article references something that never goes out of style — the partnership between Delta and Portland. Thank you!
Randall posted on March 15, 2010 at 6:07 pm
Richard,
Thank you for recognizing the strengths of Portland as a world-class destination city and that direct flights to Asia and Europe help extend the Oregon presence in our trading partner’s backyard. As a long time Delta frequent flyer, I am excited about the new Delta/Northwest merger and look forward to many more flights with your airline.
Michael posted on March 15, 2010 at 6:08 pm
Hey Delta, thank you for being here in Portland and the nonstop to Europe and Asia. I have flown both of them in route to locations such as Bangalore, India and Hong Kong and Guam. thanks again…
Felicia Hazel posted on March 15, 2010 at 7:30 pm
I was very glad to hear about the non-stop flights when they first began and am ver happy that you are partnering with AlaskaAirlines, because that helps us down here in the Rogue Valley (Ashland, Medford, Grants Pass …)feel more connected to the world.
Bill Wyatt posted on March 15, 2010 at 9:36 pm
Richard,
I write to thank you for your blog post, your support and the excellent international and domestic service provided by Delta in Portland. I made good use of your Tokyo hub earlier in the week on my way to Seoul, where I am now. When Delta and Northwest were merged we worried a bit about where we might fit in to the Delta family. No longer. You and your great team have done everything to work with us seamlessly to make these services work. Thank you so much.
Bill Wyatt
Jeff Miller posted on March 19, 2010 at 10:01 am
The commitment by Delta to the Portland and Oregon markets is appreciated and is a major factor in our success in attracting international visitors. Our leisure travel efforts are enhanced by the service as is our ability to attract conventions with international delegates.
This week we are hosting the American Physical Society, a scientific group focused on physics. They have over 8000 attendees with approximately 25% international delegates. These sorts of high impact conferences wouldn’t be possible without direct service. My hats off to you Richard and we look forward to celebrating many years of work to continue our shared success.
Jeff Miller
President and CEO, Travel Portland
Peter Simpson posted on April 14, 2010 at 12:17 am
Portland is my favourite US city and I wish there were direct flights from the UK. Even just one or two a week from one of the London airports would help. I think Portland and the surrounding area has great potential as a tourist destination and direct flights would boost this further.
Deborah M. posted on January 28, 2011 at 4:53 pm
Thank you for being a pioneer in starting non-stop flights from PDX to Japan. (Asia and Europe). I remember in 1989 I traveled to Narita airport in Japan by the way of Portland to Seattle then to Narita. It’s wonderful to now be able to hop a flight from your “backyard” straight to your destination! Thank you putting Portland International Airport on the map for non-stop service to these beautiful countries.