Exhibit 99.1


FOR IMMEDIATE DISTRIBUTION

CONTACT: Corporate Communications
         404-715-2554

                  DELTA AIR LINES ANNOUNCES NEW LEADERSHIP TEAM

ATLANTA, May 19, 2004 -- Delta Air Lines (NYSE: DAL) today announced the
formation of a new leadership team of seasoned airline industry and Delta
veterans who understand Delta's unique culture and heritage and the demanding
challenges ahead.

         "As a team, our goal is to transform Delta into a pre-eminent company
that regains sustained profitability by focusing our talents and energy on our
people and customers," said Delta's Chief Executive Officer Gerald Grinstein.
"To get there, our team must be characterized by determination, agility, and a
willingness to run the company in non-traditional ways while respecting the
Delta culture."

     The new leadership team, which reports directly to Grinstein, includes:

         -        VICKI ESCARRA, 51, Executive Vice President and Chief Customer
                  Service Officer, who will be responsible for Airport Customer
                  Service, Reservation Sales, In-Flight Service, Air Logistics,
                  and Customer Care. Escarra formerly was Executive Vice
                  President and Chief Marketing Officer.

         -        MIKE PALUMBO, 57, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial
                  Officer, who will be responsible for Financial Planning
                  Services, Financial Control, Treasury, Investor Relations,
                  Tax, Risk, Supply Chain, Corporate Real Estate, Profit
                  Improvement Initiatives, Fleet Acquisition, and Delta
                  Technology. Palumbo joined Delta earlier this month.

         -        JOE KOLSHAK, 47, Senior Vice President and Chief of
                  Operations, who will be responsible for Flight Operations,
                  Technical Operations, Operations Control Center, Safety,
                  Security, and Delta Connection, Inc. Kolshak previously was
                  Senior Vice President - Flight Operations.

         -        LEE MACENCZAK, 42, Senior Vice President and Chief Human
                  Resources Officer, who will be responsible for Human
                  Resources, Global Diversity & Community Affairs, Labor
                  Relations, and Delta Global Services. Macenczak previously was
                  Senior Vice President - Sales & Distribution.

         -        PAUL MATSEN, 44, Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing
                  Officer, who will be responsible for Consumer Marketing, Sales
                  and Distribution, Pricing and Revenue Management,
                  International & Alliances, and Song. Matsen previously was
                  Senior Vice President - International & Alliances.

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         -        GREG RIGGS, 56, Senior Vice President, General Counsel, and
                  Chief Corporate Affairs Officer, who will be responsible for
                  Legal, Corporate Communications, and Government and Public
                  Affairs. Riggs previously was Senior Vice President - General
                  Counsel.

                     In a related move, Dan Lewis, 46, Managing Director,
                  Corporate Communications, will become head of Corporate
                  Communications, replacing Tom Slocum who retires June 1.

         -        JIM WHITEHURST, 36, Senior Vice President and Chief Network
                  and Planning Officer, who will be responsible for Network
                  Planning, Scheduling, Fleet Planning, Strategic & Corporate
                  Planning, and Business Development. Whitehurst previously was
                  Senior Vice President - Finance.

         Five of the seven members are Delta veterans with approximately five to
30 years of service. All are well-grounded in the airline industry and have
worked in various frontline and management positions.

         "Each member of this team has made the decision to be part of the
demanding work ahead as we make Delta a better airline than before," said
Grinstein. "With their guidance and the entire company's support, we can make it
through the difficult times ahead and lay a strong foundation that will sustain
our company for decades to come."

         These appointments become effective June 1, 2004. Additional management
announcements will be announced soon.

         Delta Air Lines celebrates its 75th anniversary in 2004. Delta is the
world's second largest airline in terms of passengers carried and the leading
U.S. carrier across the Atlantic, offering daily flights to 497 destinations in
86 countries on Delta, Song, Delta Shuttle, the Delta Connection carriers and
its worldwide partners. Delta's marketing alliances allow customers to earn and
redeem frequent flier miles on more than 14,000 flights offered by SkyTeam,
Northwest Airlines, Continental Airlines and other partners. Delta is a founding
member of SkyTeam, a global airline alliance that provides customers with
extensive worldwide destinations, flights and services. For more information,
please visit delta.com.

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