Being ExpressJet

Earlier this fall, our first Delta Connection aircraft to feature Wi-Fi internet access took to the skies. The service, provided by GoGo, allows our passengers access to their favorite sites, instant messaging applications and email any time the aircraft is above 10,000 feet. The plan is to install the service in our entire fleet of Delta Connection aircraft equipped with first class cabins by early next year. So, if you’re flying with us on one of our CRJ700 or CRJ900 aircraft, look for the “Wi-Fi Onboard” stickers in the cabin or ask a flight attendant if the service is available. Be sure to say hi to us on our Facebook page while you’re in the air, as well!

Delta plans to have every aircraft with a first class cabin in their network equipped with Wi-Fi internet service by early next year.

Earlier this year, we launched a new name for our combined company. After receiving a lot of employee feedback, we decided to go back to the drawing board and rethink that name. Our people offered a lot of great suggestions, from possible names to how we should select a name. Taking those suggestions, we came up with a plan to allow everyone in our company the opportunity to submit name suggestions. These suggestions would then be narrowed down and put up for a companywide vote alongside our two existing names – Atlantic Southeast and ExpressJet. Front-line people from across our company participated in focus groups throughout the process to help guide our name plan and then to narrow down the submitted names for vote.

Yesterday, we announced the results of the companywide vote, which established the ExpressJet name with the legacy Atlantic Southeast branding as the winner. Take a look at the new ExpressJet logo below, and click here to read our press release about the name.

*Our corporate name will officially transition on Dec. 31, 2011.

Last weekend, a team of people from across our company traveled to Grapevine, Texas to participate in the 30th Annual World Airline Road Race (WARR). This special weekend was also a tribute to 9/11 and all the brave men and women who responded to that tragedy.

Team members either ran, jogged or walked the 10k and/or 5k events. All survived! Next year, WARR is scheduled to be held in Tsingtoa, China sometime in October.  Tsingtao is a tropical coastal city not far from Shanghai in distance, but worlds apart in atmosphere.  Be sure to check out www.worldairlineroadrace.org as more information is posted.

Our dedicated participants are already planning for WARR 2011 because the weekend isn’t just about the run/walk, it’s about the camaraderie shared among the participants from more than 50 airlines across the world!

Recently, I had the honor to participate in the selection of our company’s Award of Excellence nominations. Award of Excellence is our annual award program that recognizes the “best of the best” in our company. A task that I thought would be a simple one turned out to be quite difficult. As I read through all the nominations, I realized that this was going to be a task. Many of our coworkers had incredible things to say about one another.  They consistently spoke of witnessing professionalism, dedication and the courage to take on any challenge. This just goes to show how proud we all are of one another and of our airline.

When reading through the nominations, it became clear that we are an organization that works hard and is proud of what we accomplish. When selecting the nominations, I chose those who reminded me of coworkers who are constantly striving to make this a better airline by performing their duties with the utmost professionalism and pride.  I think once our Award of Excellence winners are announced, we will all agree that the recipients are well-deserving of this honor.

About Award of Excellence: The Award of Excellence honors 20 team members from across our company who are proactive in our company, consistently treat co-workers and customers with respect, and embody our company’s values. Richard was selected to review nominations submitted by team members about their colleagues. These nominations were then put before all of our employees for a company-wide vote to determine our Award of Excellence recipients. Recipients of the 2011 awards will be honored in October.

Wednesday was an exciting day for us because we became the first Delta Connection carrier to provide in-flight internet access. And to add to the excitement, the aircraft featuring the Wi-Fi service, a Bombardier CRJ700, became the first regional aircraft in the world to offer internet access onboard!

Our first internet-equipped flight departed Atlanta for Omaha, Neb., and then made stops in Des Moines, Iowa and White Plains, N.Y. throughout the day. Passengers were offered passes to try out the service by our friends at Gogo, the internet service provider.

Delta plans to launch Wi-Fi service on the entire fleet of first-class-cabin-equipped Delta Connection aircraft, including Atlantic Southeast’s fleet of CRJ700 and CRJ900 aircraft. Installation is scheduled to be complete by early 2012. Since adding first class cabins to our CRJ700 and CRJ900 aircraft more than a year ago, we have worked with Delta to introduce meal service, linens, china and silverware to flights operated on these aircraft.