Delta names John Caldwell as its new Seattle vice president

Feb 27, 2017: Delta has named John Caldwell its new vice president – Seattle as Mike Medeiros transitions to his new role as chief operating officer at Aeromexico.

In this role, Caldwell will continue Delta’s momentum and develop and achieve Delta’s strategic objectives for Seattle and the Pacific Northwest as Delta embarks on its fifth consecutive year of growth. His responsibilities will include oversight of financial performance, marketing, commercial sales, sponsorships, community relations, and the customer experience at Sea-Tac.

Caldwell will also be heavily involved in Delta’s state and local government affairs within the region, including working with the Port of Seattle to begin construction on a world-class international arrivals facility at Sea-Tac this spring. He will report to Bob Somers, Delta’s senior vice president – Global Sales.

Caldwell and his family will return to Seattle, where he served as District Sales manager for Northwest Airlines from 1995-97 and was a member of the board of the Seattle Convention and Visitor’s Bureau.

“Seattle is among the most important markets in the country, and I’m energised and eager to return after 20 years to continue the momentum Delta has established in the region,” Caldwell said.

“Our Seattle team and local partners are the best of the best. Together, we will continue to focus on demonstrating the value of partnering with Delta and earning the long-term trust of Pacific Northwest customers.”

Caldwell most recently served as president of Delta Vacations, a wholly owned subsidiary of Delta Air Lines. Under Caldwell’s leadership, Delta Vacations has generated record revenues, profits and margins and is considered to be one of the best tour operators in the business. Prior to joining Delta Vacations in 2012, Caldwell was the managing director – National and Specialty Sales at Delta. Caldwell began his airline career in 1985 with Northwest Airlines where he held multiple positions in reservations, marketing and sales. At the time of the Delta-Northwest merger, Caldwell held the position of managing director – Corporate and Agency Sales for North America.

Caldwell earned a Bachelor of Science in aviation management and industrial relations from Minnesota State University.

Delta will celebrate several Seattle milestones in 2017, including adding flights to seven new destinations – Austin, Texas; Eugene, Oregon; Lihue, Hawaii; Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Nashville, Tennessee; Raleigh, North Carolina; and Redmond, Oregon. On March 26, Delta’s joint venture partner Virgin Atlantic will begin Boeing 787 service from Seattle to London-Heathrow, replacing the flight currently operated by Delta and adding 50 seats as well as Premium Economy service. Additionally, the Port of Seattle is expected to begin construction on the IAF in spring 2017.

Delta is the largest global carrier at Sea-Tac and has more than tripled flights and destinations at its Seattle hub since 2012.