Delta.com breaks record for online ticket sales and revenue in January; More than 100 percent growth in online Ticket sales - Business

Information Superhighways Newsletter, Feb, 2002

Delta Airlines announced record-breaking January ticket sales and revenue for delta.com, where customers purchased more than 545,000 tickets representing $145 million in revenue, the highest since the airline began offering online purchasing in 1996. Ticket sales in January exceeded the January 2001 figures by more than 100 percent, while revenue from those sales grew by 64 percent.

"January's record delta.com sales indicate our customers value the convenience of booking online at delta.com, and that they are becoming ever more reliant on technology for obtaining up-to-the-minute information that simplifies their travel experience," said Steve Scheper, Delta's managing director of e-business, business-to-consumer.

Scheper pointed to Delta's online tools like seat selection, upgrades, real-time flight information, SkyMiles account management, e-mail programs, SkyMiles online award redemption, electronic timetables, and SkyMiles Virtual Check-In as the impetus behind the outstanding results.

Other January highlights included:

- The ability to print boarding passes at delta.com--As part of expanded virtual check-in all SkyMiles members can now print boarding passes from delta.com.

- Online award ticket redemptions at delta.com grew 70 percent over previous record month as customers took advantage of a ongoing reduced mileage award travel promotion for US travel valid through March 20.