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American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and United Airlines all have cars that they use to aid some top-tier elite members make tight connections at hub airports. But, only Delta is using a Porsche 918 Spyder Hypercar for transport across the tarmac.
Through the end of July, some lucky passengers at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) will be met at their arriving flights and whisked to their connections in a car that retails for $1-$2 million. The Porsche 918 Spyder has 887 horsepower and 944 lb-ft of torque. It’s an impressive and powerful sports car.
Delta’s long-standing partnership with Porsche includes a fleet of Cayennes, Macans, Panameras, and Taycans. Being driven from the plane is a treat and all of those cars are all nice, but they’re not in the same league with this one.
Allison Ausband, Delta’s EVP and Chief Customer Experience Officer, posted this message on LinkedIn:
For a limited time, our partners at Porsche Cars North America are bringing the racetrack to the tarmac with the 918 Spyder, a hybrid-powered supercar. Got a tight connection in ATL? Between now and July 31, you might just find yourself surprised with this one-of-a-kind ride whisking you to your next flight.
Thanks to Delta Air Lines exclusive partnership with Porsche, now in its twelfth year, we’re able to elevate the travel experience through a dedicated fleet of Porsche vehicles for select one-to-one airport transfers. It’s a partnership that just makes sense: Like Delta, Porsche knows premium; together, our teams work to deliver the best product and the best customer experience in our industries, year after year.
Our Porsche transfers, powered by the exceptional hospitality of our Elite Services team, are one more way we’re elevating the customer journey, both on the ground and in the air.
Our Elite Services team is thrilled to drive the Spyder around the world’s busiest airport, surprising and delighting our customers! I promise not to hold it against them for not letting me behind the wheel.”
I’ve never had a transfer with Delta, but have been taken from flights to the terminal several times by Lufthansa at Frankfurt am Main Airport (FRA) in Mercedes (none of them were valued at between one and two million dollars). It’s an experience to roll by planes and get a view of the airport from that perspective.
The Porsche 918 has a seven-figure car price tag, so most people will never own one of these cars. But, a ride in the 918 might convince some people to buy another, less expensive Porsche and that is the underlying goal of marketing campaigns like this one (and others with Mercedes, Cadillac, Lexus, etc.).
Anthony’s Take: This is a cool experience for the few randomly selected passengers. How many people can say they’ve been driven on a tarmac in a multi-million-dollar car?
(Featured Image Credit: Allison Ausland via LinkedIn.)
(Image Credit: Delta Air Lines.)
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3 comments
Is that really what the press representatives are pitching (and you’re reprinting)? A short ride in an uncomfortable super car at super slow speed is going to sell more total cars to these lucky riders all while rapidly depreciating a rare, collectible car?
More likely is that there’s a grift afoot. Someone at Delta or Porsche may be acquiring that car for a substantial, post-tarmac SkyPennies discount.
I sat in a BMW i8 super car. Not practical if it were an airport car. An E class Mercedes is the best as far as getting in. I like the 3 series BMW but that is a little low. SUVs are a little high.
If I got a ride in that Porsche, I wouldn’t realize it’s so expensive. I would think it’s based on a 911 and maybe costs 50k more….wrong.
Much prefer an E class or an I Pace. No need to be shuttled around the airport in a tiny “supercar.” Thanks but no thanks.