Delta Air Lines has appointed Matt Long as its Managing Director, Europe and Africa, as the carrier continues to invest in the trans-Atlantic market, ahead of its forthcoming busiest summer schedule to the region.

In this role, Long will help ensure Delta continues to deliver the thoughtful, reliable and best-in-class experience customers expect when flying across the Atlantic.

Europe and Africa continue to be strategically important regions, driving a significant share of Delta’s long-haul demand and premium revenue.

Long will lead the coordination of commercial, operational and customer experience initiatives across 35 European and African markets, working closely with Delta’s in-region teams and joint venture partners at Air France-KLM and Virgin Atlantic to support the airline’s long-term commercial ambitions.

He will also help shape major infrastructure and modernisation projects across Delta’s key hubs in Amsterdam, Paris-Charles de Gaulle and London Heathrow while driving customer experience transformation across Europe and Africa.

Delta’s trans Atlantic network now represents more than 100 peak-daily flights across Europe and Africa, including new routes like Seattle to Barcelona and Rome, New York-JFK to Olbia, Malta and Porto, Atlanta to Marrakech and expanded service to Accra and Lagos.

In addition to shaping Delta’s presence in Europe and Africa as demand continues to grow, Long will work to ensure Delta continues to deliver a consistent and premium experience for both leisure and business travellers, particularly those connecting across Delta and its joint venture partners.

“Matt is a collaborative, forward-looking leader with a deep understanding of our global business and the partnerships that fuel Delta’s success,” said the Senior Vice President – Alliances International, Perry Cantarutti.

Since joining Delta in 2013, Long has played a key role in shaping how Delta and its partners listen to customers, elevate the journey and create seamless experiences in the airport, on board and across geographies.

He brings a blend of deep consumer insight expertise, product acumen and customer experience leadership to the role and will build on more than a decade of Delta leadership experience spanning International, Alliances, Customer Experience Strategy and Commercial functions.