Delta Air Lines to Donate Record 2,250 Handmade Quilts to Primary Children’s Medical Center

Delta Air Lines (NYSE:DAL) employees today presented Primary Children’s Medical Center with a gift of more than 2,250 handmade quilts during ceremonies at the Energy Solutions Arena in Salt Lake City. In a breathtaking visual display, the facility’s entire playing surface and much of its lower level seating area were draped with the colorful bedcovers that were later delivered to the hospital and will be given to young patients requiring extended stays away from home.

“This project began as a labor of love for our flight attendants here in Salt Lake City, and it has continued to grow each year,” said Cindy Atkinson, manager - Delta In-Flight Service. “Now, we have participation from Delta employees, their families and friends from all over the world."

In recognition of Delta employees’ tireless efforts, Utah’s First Lady, Mary Kary Huntsman, was in attendance at the ceremonies to present a proclamation on behalf of her husband, Governor Jon Huntsman, Jr. She officially named the day, “A Quilt for Every Bed” on behalf of Delta and its employees.

“The dedication and commitment our people have demonstrated year after year to support this cause is truly inspirational and a great source of pride for me and all of us at Delta,” said Sandy Gordon, vice president - Delta In-Flight Service Operations and Training. “Delta employees are passionate about being active in and giving back to the communities where they live and serve. And, nowhere is that more evident than in Salt Lake City.”

Delta’s annual community service outreach, now in its eighth year, has donated more than 8,500 quilts.

Delta’s tradition of donating handmade bedcovers to the Primary Children’s Medical Center dates back to 2001 when local Salt Lake City flight attendants began knitting the creations in their employee lounge while on breaks between flights. Approximately 335 quilts were donated as a result of that first year’s effort and, since then, the project has attracted the attention and support of Delta employees, their families, friends, and other volunteers throughout the country. Outside companies have also stepped up to lend their support to the effort. This year Carpenter – a company which provides fiberfill for everyday items such as beds, floors and boxes – donated the batting (padding) used in all of the quilts.

Delta Air Lines operates service to more worldwide destinations than any airline with Delta and Delta Connection flights to 306 destinations in 58 countries. Delta has added more international capacity than any major U.S. airline during the last two years and is the leader across the Atlantic with flights to 37 trans-Atlantic markets. To Latin America and the Caribbean, Delta offers more than 517 weekly flights to 57 destinations. Delta's marketing alliances also allow customers to earn and redeem SkyMiles on nearly 16,409 flights offered by SkyTeam and other partners. Delta is a founding member of SkyTeam, a global airline alliance that provides customers with extensive worldwide destinations, flights and services. Including its SkyTeam and worldwide codeshare partners, Delta offers flights to 841 worldwide destinations in 162 countries. Customers can check in for flights, print boarding passes and check flight status at delta.com.