In the summer of 1979, Delta Airlines opened a new chapter in aviation history with its first flight from Atlanta to Frankfurt. Today, 45 years later, Delta has established itself as one of the most important transatlantic airlines, carrying more than 21 million passengers between Germany and the United States. Looking back at this exciting development not only shows the change in the aviation industry, but also the close ties between Frankfurt and the USA through Delta Airlines.

When Delta Airlines began its first flights to Frankfurt in 1979, it marked a milestone for the airline, which had already established a broad network in the USA. Flight operations began with a three-engine L-1011 TriStar, which offered space for 241 passengers in three classes. Today, it is the most modern Airbus A330-200, which offers travelers an optimized travel experience in four different classes - Delta One, Delta Premium Select, Delta Comfort+ and Main Cabin.

The connection between Frankfurt and the USA has expanded significantly over the years. What once began with four weekly flights has developed into a network of 46 weekly flights from four German cities - Berlin, Frankfurt, Munich and Stuttgart. Delta is proud to consider Germany one of its most important transatlantic markets and has continuously expanded its presence to meet the needs of passengers.

A former hub and global partnerships

Between 1991 and 1997, Frankfurt was even a hub for Delta Airlines after the airline took over Pan Am's nonstop network, allowing connections to a wide range of cities in Europe, North America and beyond. Today, Delta passengers benefit from partnerships with Air France, KLM and Virgin Atlantic, providing access to over 200 destinations worldwide, beyond hubs such as Paris-Charles de Gaulle, Amsterdam and London-Heathrow.

Matteo Curcio, Delta's senior vice president for Europe, the Middle East, Africa and India (EMEAI), said Frankfurt plays a key role in Delta's international network. Direct connections from Frankfurt to New York, Detroit and Atlanta allow passengers to seamlessly reach over 200 destinations and demonstrate Delta's commitment to service excellence and customer focus.

Innovation and comfort for passengers

Delta Airlines has always been a pioneer in service and comfort. From the first visual in-flight entertainment programs in the 1970s to today's Delta Studio, which offers over 1.000 hours of on-demand entertainment, the passenger experience has continually evolved. The introduction of the Delta Sync Seatback, which offers features similar to those found in streaming services, demonstrates Delta's commitment to technological innovation and cutting-edge entertainment options.

The dining options have also evolved. While passengers already enjoyed high-quality in-flight meals in 1979, Delta now offers a first-class restaurant experience in the air. In Delta One, passengers can choose from a multi-course menu curated by chefs and accompanied by fine wines. These personalized service offerings reflect Delta's efforts to make the flight experience as pleasant as possible.

Not only the flight experience, but also the appearance of the flight attendants has changed over the years. The uniforms that were introduced in 1979 had a very different style than today's ones, which were designed by GPS Apparel by Gap Inc. These new uniforms are not only functional, but also environmentally friendly and underline the timeless elegance of Delta Airlines as a brand.

A future full of possibilities

With over 800 aircraft and more than 280 destinations worldwide, Delta Airlines is now one of the largest and most innovative airlines in the world. The focus on customer service and technological innovations has helped Delta position itself as a leading player in the global aviation industry. The partnerships and network that Delta Airlines has built over the past 45 years clearly show that the connection between Frankfurt and the USA remains of great importance and will continue to play a key role in the future.