Delta Air Lines has introduced twice weekly nonstop service from Detroit, USA to Sao Paulo, Brazil, and from December 15, 2010 it will increase it to five days a week to coincide with the start of the Brazilian tourist season. The flights will be operated with 216-seat Boeing 767-300ER aircraft, with 35 BusinessElite seats and 181 seats in Economy Class.

To celebrate the new service, Delta Airlines is offering special introductory fares, starting at USD 399 each way from Detroit to Sao Paulo and USD 499 each way from Sao Paulo to Detroit, for travel from October 28, 2010 through February 25, 2011. Additional taxes, fees, restrictions and baggage charges may apply. 

Andrea Fischer Newman, Senior Vice President – Government Affairs, Delta Air Lines said, “Delta Air Lines new service between our international hub in Detroit and Sao Paulo, South America's largest business market, will further strengthen business and trade opportunities and boost economic activity in both cities. This service is testament to our continued support for the Detroit market and the strong growth we have seen here.” 

According to the company release, the launch marks the airline’s most recent international flight from Detroit, which is a growing global gateway for the airline. Recently, Delta Air Lines added new service from Detroit to Seoul-Incheon and Hong Kong and expanded flights to Shanghai. Next year, the airline will begin nonstop service between Detroit and Haneda Airport in Tokyo, which will open for trans-Pacific flights for the first time in three decades. On a year-round basis, Delta Air Lines offers Detroit customers service to 158 nonstop destinations, including 28 international destinations and five in Asia. 

To Brazil, Delta Air Lines currently offers service between Atlanta and Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Manaus and the capital city of Brasilia; and service between New York-JFK and Sao Paulo.

Joe Cambron, Director of Air Service Development, Wayne County Airport Authority said, “Delta Air Lines new non-stop service from Detroit to Sao Paulo is a landmark event for the community. Sao Paulo is the auto capital of South America, so linking it with Detroit will stimulate the economies of both cities while also easing the journey for passengers already traveling this important route.” 

Delta Air Lines has been investing heavily in Latin America in recent years, growing from almost no presence a decade ago to serving more than 60 destinations across Latin America and the Caribbean today. Delta Air Lines recent growth in the region includes: 

• An expanded alliance relationship with Brazilian carrier GOL, which includes codesharing on flights beginning in early 2011, and an agreement to share benefits for Delta's SkyMiles and GOL's SMILES frequent flyer programmes.
• New nonstop flights between Mexico City and Minneapolis-St. Paul and Memphis beginning in December 2010 and January 2011, respectively.
• New nonstop service between Cancun, Mexico and Austin, Texas; Columbus, Ohio; Tampa, Fla.; and San Antonio, each beginning February 19, 2011.
• An announcement that Aerolineas Argentinas, the flag carrier of Argentina, will become the second Latin American member of Delta's SkyTeam global airline alliance, benefiting Delta Air Lines customers with increased access to and from South America and complementing existing SkyTeam member AeroMexico.