``Delta continues to listen to our customers who have told us that they prefer the option of First Class seats and enhanced service on the ground when they fly on Delta Connection,'' Whitehurst said. ``Our investment in additional two-class RJs, as well as continued investments in the customer experience at our airports, is a critical step in ensuring that customers who fly Delta and Delta Connection can expect similar levels of service on any size of airplane, from our regional jets to our flagship Boeing 777.''

Currently, Delta Connection carriers Shuttle America, SkyWest, Freedom Airlines and Pinnacle Airlines operate or are scheduled to operate two-class regional jets for Delta. Later today, Delta will announce which Delta Connection partner will operate the additional two-class jets.The Delta Connection program is the world's largest operator of regional jet aircraft with more than 470 aircraft in operation throughout the United States, Canada and Mexico with Delta Connection carriers Atlantic Southeast Airlines, Big Sky Airlines, Chautauqua Airlines, Comair, ExpressJet Airlines, Freedom Airlines, Pinnacle Airlines, Shuttle America and SkyWest. Delta Connection's regional jets feed flights to and from Delta's largest hubs and allow Delta to offer customers multiple frequencies and attractive fares, as well as nonstop service, in many small- to mid-size cities.