IN SUMMARY
Since its launch in 1970, DASH’s same-day shipping has expanded to include a range of innovative services including delivery of life-saving organs for transplant and much more.
Delta Cargo celebrates the 50th anniversary of DASH, its service for same-day express shipping for small packages throughout the U.S. Since its launch, DASH has grown to be one of Delta Cargo’s most popular cargo products, fostering the launch of a range of innovative DASH products that deliver heavy equipment, life-saving organs for transplant and more.
“Delta was one of first airlines to offer a same-day express shipping option in the U.S. and today it is one of our most popular products and perhaps the one for which we are best known,” said Andy Kirschner, Delta’s Director – Cargo Sales Americas. “Over 40% of domestic cargo that we transport annually is carried as DASH, and we carry everything from wedding dresses, films reels, trophies, movie props and human organs for transplant, to passports and other urgent documents.”
Here are five things to know about DASH:
Launched October 15, 1970
DASH began as DEPS (Delta Expedited Package Service). In June 1971, the service was renamed DASH (Delta Air Lines Special Handling) and expanded to all of Delta’s U.S. cities.
It’s the #1 Cargo product
In 2019, Delta carried over 1.3 million DASH shipments and is Delta’s most popular U.S. cargo product (excluding U.S. mail). Over half of the shipments are carried as DASH Heavy – packages that weigh more than 100 pounds and exceed 90 linear inches, such as entertainment and production equipment.
DASH Critical moves life-saving shipments
Delta carries a weekly average of 15 Lifeguard shipments (time-sensitive heart and other organs) and 800 life-saving human organs for transplant through DASH Critical, which was launched in 2017. The product’s signature bright pink box is easily identified for urgent shipments.
Atlanta is the #1 airport for DASH shipments
Nearly 50,000 DASH shipments were shipped from Atlanta in 2019, closely followed by Los Angeles and New York-JFK.
DASH innovation continues
Last year, Delta launched DASH Door-to-Door for first mile/last mile, same-day delivery straight to the customer. This expanded to include the delivery of Heavy goods earlier this year.
Bert Mesa, Vice President – Global Field Operations at MNX Global Logistics, said DASH is invaluable to his business.
“At MNX, our customers rely on our precision logistics services to deliver life-saving therapies to patients and mission-critical parts to help businesses succeed. When every moment matters, we need more than just a provider, we need a partner. And with Delta DASH, we have a partner that enables us to deliver on the speed, precision, efficiency and rigor that our customers demand.”
