Delta to Become Official Airline for Disneyland in Marketing Deal

They won’t be painting Mickey’s ears on the tails of Delta Air Lines jets, but the Atlanta-based air carrier announced Friday that it soon will become the official airline of the Anaheim amusement park.

It is a relationship based entirely on marketing, one that will give Delta exclusive rights to sell Delta/Disney travel packages. Delta already is the official airline of Walt Disney World, a designation that helped Delta triple its flight operations in Orlando, Fla., in just two years, said Delta spokesman William Berry.

“This is the first time we have had the same airline represent Disneyland and Disney World,” said Disney spokesman Bob Roth. “It will be great when say, we target a market like Chicago (for promotions), and travelers need information on both destinations.”

Actually, for the Happiest Place on Earth it is more than just a marriage of convenience. Delta is paying for the privilege of packing its jumbo jets with would-be Mouseketeers. Berry said the transaction, which should be completed this summer, “is a major investment” for Delta. He refused to discuss the deal’s specifics but said that “it will cost millions” over the term of the agreement.