The official carrier for the US Olympic team (Team USA), Delta Air Lines, has deployed its flagship Airbus A350-900 to Beijing for the 2022 Winter Games. On January 27th, the airline welcomed athletes from across the country to Los Angeles, where a special charter flight was ready for boarding.
Delta Air Lines’ A350 charter flights to ferry athletes
One of the first groups of Team USA athletes departed the United States for Beijing, China, on Thursday. As part of a special ceremony held in Los Angeles, Delta took the opportunity to showcase its unique role in the games as the official carrier for American athletes. The Delta-hosted LAX send-off event saw more than 200 athletes, coaches and trainers walk a red carpet and board their aircraft in a private hangar.
As per special Beijing Olympic requirements set by the Chinese government, athletes are being flown on special charter flights, separate from regular commercial services. This is different from previous games, which, according to Delta, has athletes traveling based on their individual schedules, typically on standard commercial flights.
Although Delta has created a special Team USA livery for one of its A330-900s, the special charter flights to Beijing will be operated by Delta’s fleet of Airbus A350-900s. This opportunity, Delta says, will allow the airline to take “full advantage…to deliver a once-in-a-lifetime experience.”
“These athletes will be competing and representing the United States without family, friends or fans in the stands. So, we’re determined to make this first Team USA-only charter an unforgettable experience – one where athletes feel as special during their journey as we feel proud watching them compete,” – Tim Mapes, Chief Marketing and Communications Officer.
Athletes were greeted and sent off by airline employees holding signs of encouragement. Photo: Delta Air Lines
More than just a charter flight
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