DELTA AIR LINES, CHINA SOUTHERN AIRLINES START
CODESHARE SERVICE BETWEEN LOS ANGELES, GUANGZHOU

26 Mar 1999


ATLANTA, GA, March 26, 1999 -- Delta Air Lines and China Southern
Airlines will start nonstop codeshare service between Los Angeles and
Guangzhou, China Sunday, March 28, 1999. China Southern Airlines operates the
route three times per week using state-of-the-art Boeing 777 aircraft.

In making the announcement, Maurice Worth, Delta’s chief operating
officer, said, “In a global economy, carriers like Delta must extend their
reach to meet the demands of their customers by providing access to
destinations around the world.

“China is a major player in the new global economy. Delta’s expansion
into China is one of the most important and exciting strategic moves we have
made recently. As trade between our two nations continues to expand, Delta
will be in a position to grow and expand its level of service,’’ Worth added.

China Southern Airlines Group President Yan Zhiqing said, “This new
relationship opens tremendous new travel opportunities for passengers
traveling from China to the USA.”

“China Southern Airlines has been looking for a strategic partner since
the maiden service from Guangzhou to Los Angeles in 1997 to bring into full
play the strong points of the two cooperative parties. Delta is a solid
company with strong financial status. I’m confident that we will achieve a
great success as long as we stick to the principal of mutual assistance,” he
said.

The codeshare arrangement is a two-way partnership. While Delta will
purchase seats between Los Angeles and Guangzhou, China Southern Airlines will
book space on Delta flights from Los Angeles to Atlanta; Las Vegas; Honolulu;
Dallas-Ft. Worth; New York (JFK Airport); Portland, OR; and San Francisco.

The arrangement with China Southern Airlines will enable Delta to
fulfill its long-standing desire to provide service to China. The codeshare
arrangement enables Delta to overcome governmental and operational constraints
that currently make direct service unfeasible.

In addition to codesharing, the two carriers will engage in reciprocal
frequent flyer program participation. China Southern Airlines has announced
that it will participate in Delta’s SkyMiles program, and Delta plans to join
China Southern's SkyPearl program, which was launched in November of last
year.

Ranked No. 1 in passengers carried in China for the past 20 years,
China Southern Airlines connects more than 80 cities around the globe. Major
business and vacation destinations served in China include Hong Kong,
Shanghai, Beijing, Guangzhou, Guilin and Kunming with daily international
service from Chinese airports to Amsterdam, Los Angeles, Singapore, Kuala
Lumpur, Osaka, Bangkok, Manila and Ho Chi Minh City.

Delta, named Airline of the Year by Air Transport World magazine, is the
world’s most flown carrier. More than 105 million passengers traveled on
Delta in 1998. Delta, Delta Express, the Delta Shuttle, the Delta Connection
carriers and Delta's Worldwide Partners operate 5,211 flights each day to 353
cities in 56 countries.