Why Delta Private Jets Signed With MSG as a Suites Partner

There are few, if any, venues more iconic in sports and entertainment than New York City’s Madison Square Garden.

While constantly hosting world-class sporting events and concerts, patrons come from all over the world to take it all in. It makes sense then that the latest high-profile partner to sign on with MSG is Delta Private Jets, a subsidiary of Delta Air Lines.

Earlier this month, the two parties announced a multi-year partnership that makes Delta Private Jets the exclusive naming partner of MSG’s event level suites. The package includes MSG placing branding, signage, and other marketing materials within all 20 suites located closer to the ice or court than nearly all seats in the house.

If that doesn’t sound enticing enough, suite holders also have access to premium menu offerings from signature chefs and sommeliers, an in-suite bar, a private suite attendant, and they can enter through a VIP entrance with a ticket concierge.

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While Delta Air Lines has had plenty of sports-related partnerships over the years, this one is Delta Private Jets’ first sports arena partnership. Delta Private Jets CEO Jeff Mihalic explained why this sounded like a perfect fit for the company.

“The partnership between Delta Private Jets and Madison Square Garden is appealing because both organizations have the same goal of providing exclusive access and luxury service to our clients,” he said. “When you couple this new partnership with Delta’s long history of working with local community organizations, its multi-billion dollar investments at its hubs at JFK and LaGuardia, and its global network that makes Delta the No. 1 airline in New York, our partnership with MSG further demonstrates our shared and unwavering commitment to New York customers.”

Most sports fans will recognize MSG as the home of the NBA’s New York Knicks. Basketball fans, in particular, will be able to recognize an increasing global popularity of the NBA.

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The 2017 NBA Finals, for example, attracted television and streaming viewers from 215 countries. To see NBA games live in person, however, global fans still have to travel to the U.S. and Toronto. This factored into the type of clientele that Delta Private Jets hopes to reach with this partnership.

“The NBA’s increasing global fan base certainly played into the appeal of this partnership,” explained Mihalic. “As the only private jet company affiliated with a major commercial airline, Delta Private Jets complements Delta by providing freedom to fly where you want, when you want, with the highest level of luxury and personalized service across the globe.”

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If fans are interested in securing a suite for a Knicks game or any other event at MSG, they will even have the option to customize their packaged Delta Private Jets membership programs. 

“Through our suite of products, including our membership programs (Jet Card and Sky Access), on-demand charter, and aircraft management, Delta Private Jets can create customized programs to meet individual needs and create offers and promotions that will appeal to the suite holders,” Mihalic said.

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While the partnership seems like a great fit for Delta Private Jets to connect with some of the Big Apple’s most high-profile fans, MSG noted its excitement about the partnership as well.

“We’re thrilled to be a part of the first sports and entertainment arena partnership for Delta Private Jets and look forward to working on opportunities that provide our customers with experiences that go above and beyond,” said Ron Skotarczak, executive vice president for marketing partnerships with MSG.

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“Our event level suites bring fans closer to the action, combining some of the best seats in the arena with first-class amenities. Delta Private Jets is an ideal naming partner for these suites, and represents how, throughout our longstanding partnership with Delta Air Lines, we have continued to bring our audiences elevated and exclusive opportunities at Madison Square Garden.”

With the fall event season in full swing, time will tell how fans react to the latest upgrades to this legendary stadium.