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Thursday, March 28, 2024

Getting to Israel the “Delta” Way – An Interview with Gail Grimmett; Senior VP

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In the Delta One cabin, passengers can expect fine dining, 180-degree flat-bed seats and premium entertainment, plus Sky Priority service, which includes expedited security, Premium Boarding and baggage handling
Delta has just finished outfitting all of their transcon aircraft with new lie-flat seats.
The lounge area of Delta One at Los Angeles International Airport Terminal 5
The Delta Comfort Plus seats include Westin Heavenly in-flight bedding and amenity kits
During her tenure at Delta, Ms. Grimmett has made it # 1. Delta has 10,000 employees in NY and 482 daily departures from the city.
The exterior of a Delta 777.
Gail Grimmett, center, Senior Vice President of Delta Air Lines along with reps of the Port Authority of NY and NJ and JFK International Air Terminal LLC

For those folks who find themselves in a conundrum of sorts; feverishly attempting to organize a fun family trip to Israel for winter break, but not quite decided on what carrier to choose, you can now breathe a long sigh of relief. If you are not one who keeps apprised of the latest news in the travel industry, you may not be aware of this, but your airline options to Israel have grown exponentially.

In a voice reverberating with a palpable enthusiasm, the highly energetic senior vice president of Delta Air Lines, Gail Grimmett told the Jewish Voice in an exclusive interview, “Tel Aviv is Delta’s third-largest trans-Atlantic market from New York, and beginning this summer, we will complement Delta’s existing daily service with the addition of four more weekly year-round flights, for a total of 11 weekly year-round flights between the two cities. ”

Ms. Grimmett added that Delta “loves the market and is completely committed to making it a resounding success.”

So, when did Delta Air Lines make the decision to join the JFK to TLV market? “We’ve served TLV from JFK since 2008. We flew nonstop from Atlanta prior to that, and when we received such incredibly positive feedback, we reached out to our customers in New York,” recalled Ms. Grimmett.

Speaking of the exquisite amenities available on Delta flights to Israel, Ms. Grimmett said, “Our Boeing 777 aircraft is equipped with Wi-Fi, and we serve kosher meals and kosher wines on-board.”

Because Delta Air Lines takes the needs of their customers quite seriously, both recreational and business travelers will find their on board flight experience way more pleasurable and downright comfy.

The newest and one of the most exclusive cabins in the sky, Delta One offers personalized service and meticulously thought-through details that truly make a difference in how you spend your time in the air. Travelers can expect fine dining, 180-degree flat-bed seats and premium entertainment, plus Sky Priority service, which includes expedited security, Premium Boarding and baggage handling. Delta customers also enjoy complimentary access to Delta Sky Clubs and the network of SkyTeam lounges around the world. Delta One can be found on all long-haul international flights and all cross-country flights between JFK and LAX or SFO.

“In addition to the exceptionally comfortable flatbed seats that are available with direct aisle access on our Delta One cabins, we also provide our customers with Westin Heavenly in-flight bedding and amenity kits,” said Ms. Grimmett.

The amenity kits include a noise cancelling headset, a pillow, blanket, earplugs, TUMI eyeshades, and striped socks. Passengers can also freshen up with MALIN & GOETZ mouthwash, hand lotion, lip balm, a toothbrush and Crest toothpaste.

Delta passengers can also kick back and relax with complimentary access to premium entertainment from Delta Studio. Hundreds of complimentary movies, TV shows, songs and games are just a touch-screen away. They can be accessed on personal electronic devices via in-flight streaming on cross-country flights.

Moreover, Delta seats have 50% more decline and more legroom than seats on other carriers, so if you’re traveling alone, with the kids or just about anybody, the spaciousness of a Delta Air Lines seat is bound to have you arriving at your destination in grand spirits.

In the turbulent times in which we live, airport security is always a major source of concern for travelers, particularly those who have chosen Israel as their destination. “For the 80,000 Delta employees, I can tell you that security is their number one priority,” said Ms. Grimmett quite resolutely.

And for those whose travel proclivities tend to be more domestic in nature, Delta has a special surprise. Back in September, Delta spotlighted its leadership as New York’s #1 airline and launched a co-branded partnership with the Empire State Development’s Division of Tourism.

“This is only the second time that New York State has partnered with another company, so we are very honored,” said Ms. Grimmett.

In September, Delta unveiled a new co-branded logo outside the New York Stock Exchange where the carrier rang the closing bell as part of a day devoted to showcasing its New York partners and networks alongside New York’s upstate tourism initiatives, according to published reports.

The multi-faceted Delta advertising campaign began with a splash at Grand Central Terminal, and continued throughout the state through its sponsorships of iconic cultural landmarks and destinations, development of new destination products, and partnerships with the sports teams New Yorkers love. Delta is presently acting as the official airlines of the Yankees, Mets, Knicks, Rangers, Madison Square Garden, Food Bank for New York City and the new Whitney Museum.

In addition to the Grand Central takeover, the campaign has reached New Yorkers through promoting borough-specific partnerships in each of New York City’s five boroughs before moving upstate to Rochester, Buffalo and Syracuse, according to Delta.

In early December, Delta did a major ad spread in the New York Times as well.

“‘I love NY” is a celebrated New York symbol, both here and around the world,” said Ms. Grimmett in an earlier release. “We are proud to have served New York since 1937, and with the investments we’ve made and the growth we’ve experienced over the past seven years, there’s no question that Delta is New York.”

Ms. Grimmett added thanks to New York Governor Andrew Cuomo who joined in the message with these words: “When people take the time to experience New York, they fall in love and keep coming back—and that means more tourism and economic activity for our state. Joining hands with Delta brings the ‘I love New York’ brand to new heights, and I am proud that our administration is partnering with Delta Air Lines to promote all that the Empire State has to offer.”

As senior VP at Delta, Ms. Grimmett is charged with not only developing and achieving Delta’s key strategic objectives for New York State but is responsible for delivering more than $6 billion of revenue to the company. She also oversees the financial performance of all New York routes and all commercial functions for the business in the state, including marketing, commercial sales, sponsorships, community relations, and the customer experience at the airports. Moreover, Ms. Grimmett directs Delta’s state and local government affairs efforts within New York. She is increasingly looked to as a key resource on aviation policy and infrastructure.

Over the last six years, Ms. Grimmett spearheaded a $1.4-billion terminal redevelopment program at JFK Airport and presided over the largest hub expansion in 40 years at LaGuardia Airport, doubling Delta’s overall capacity out of that airport in July 2012. Through her team’s efforts, Delta’s visibility as a community partner and brand recognition as a corporate sponsor have grown throughout the state.

Since 2013, Ms. Grimmett has continued to be named one of the “50 Most Powerful Women in New York” by Crain’s New York Business. She holds an undergraduate degree from Indiana University and a MBA from George Washington University with a concentration in business economics and public policy.

 

Fern Sidman

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