“Delta is New York’s airline and we are excited to again pioneer new routes that expand our global reach and add convenience to the lives of our customers,” said Jim Whitehurst, Delta’s chief operating officer. “The JFK-to-Mumbai route will be the first and only nonstop flight between two of the world’s most important business centers, and our new service to Africa will open a corridor of commerce between the world’s largest travel market and growing economies on the West African coast.
“Delta already operates service to more global destinations than any airline in the world with the largest domestic network of destinations in the United States, the largest trans-Atlantic route system with 29 nonstop destinations across Europe, India and Israel, and the second-largest route system in South and Central America. With more additions planned by winter, Delta is proud to operate nonstop flights to 12 unique trans-Atlantic destinations not served by any other U.S. carrier,” Whitehurst said.
The new nonstop service from JFK to Mumbai and Accra will be operated with international widebody aircraft featuring Delta’s refurbished business and economy class products. The 268-seat Boeing 777-200ER aircraft will be used to Mumbai while the 214-seat Boeing 767-300ER aircraft will fly to Accra. On both routes, customers can enjoy Delta’s award-winning BusinessElite service featuring all-leather sleeper seats with 60 inches of legroom, innovative food offerings designed by celebrity chef Michelle Bernstein, award-winning, original wine selections, and industry-leading, on-demand personal in-seat entertainment boasting more than 20 first-run and popular classic movies, a variety of TV programs, a broad range of music, and a suite of 12 video games. Economy class customers also will notice recent improvements on Delta, including new all-leather economy seats, enhanced food offerings and a complimentary cocktail with each meal.
With the start of this new nonstop service, Delta will discontinue its one-stop service to India via Paris-Charles de Gaulle. Delta’s new nonstop service to Mumbai will replace existing one-stop service to Mumbai and to Chennai, effective Nov. 1. Delta will continue to serve Chennai with convenient codeshare service via Paris on SkyTeam partner Air France, once codeshare approval is obtained. Additionally, Delta will offer direct, same-plane service between its largest international hub in Atlanta and Mumbai with these schedule enhancements.
The new flights will significantly improve customer travel times between Mumbai and the United States, reducing the flight duration by at least four hours in each direction when compared to the current one-stop service. To Accra, Delta also will increase customer convenience by reducing travel times by up to eight hours in each direction when compared to connections on other major airlines via Europe. As previously announced, Delta will be the only major U.S. carrier operating scheduled service between Africa and the United States this winter with new service to Dakar, Senegal*, and Johannesburg, South Africa* beginning from Atlanta Dec. 4, and now between New York and Accra one week later.
Said Congressman Gregory W. Meeks, whose district includes John F. Kennedy International Airport: “I commend Delta Air Lines for offering New York travelers this much-needed nonstop service to Mumbai, India and Accra, Ghana, from one of the world’s leading airlines. For the past several years, I have worked hard with the Port Authority on bringing nonstop air service from JFK to these important cities that both have significant constituencies in New York. Delta recognizes the tremendous value these emerging markets offer to business and leisure travelers. I appreciate Delta’s commitment to providing New York’s air travelers with many options and excellent service at affordable prices.”

Added New York City Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg: "Connecting New York City directly with more of the world's leading business centers reinforces our position as the international business hub.  The aviation industry is vitally important to the future economic growth of our city, and I commend Delta for its confidence and commitment to New York."