A_~ DELTA ~~ 

Delta Air Lines, Inc. 

Post Office Box 20706 

Atlanta, Georgia 30320-6001 

February 2, 2015 

U.S. Department of Transportation 

Docket Management System 

1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE 

West Building Ground Floor 

Room W 12-140 

Washington, DC. 20590 

Office of the Chief Counsel: 

SUBJECT: Exemption Number 6034I Application for Extension 

Delta Air Lines was issued exemption No. 6034I on December 5, 2012. This exemption from Federal Aviation 

Regulation (FAR) §121.317(a) and §25.791(a) permits operation of MD-90 aircraft with the "No Smoking" signs 

hardwired in the "ON" position. FAR §121.317(a), in pertinent part, prohibits operations of an airplane unless it 

is equipped with passenger information signs that meet the requirements of FAR §25.791(a), and the signs can 

be turned on and off by the crew members. FAR §25.791(a) states, in pertinent part, that signs that notify when 

smoking is prohibited must be operable by a member of the flight crew. 

Delta supported its original request for exemption with the following information, in pertinent part: 

• Delta Air Lines has adopted a system-wide no-smoking policy, and installed passenger seats without 

ashtrays in its fleet of MD-90 aircraft. These aircraPt are constructed in such a manner that illuminated 

"No Smoking" signs are installed in the aircraft, and these signs will always be in the "ON" position. 

There is no switch installed in the aircraft to turn the "No Smoking" signs on or off. 

• The exemption provides an equivalent level of safety because the "No Smoking" signs will be illuminated 

at all times when the aircraft is in operation. 

• The exemption is in the public interest because it would allow operation of aircraft without ashtrays for 

seated passengers, thereby eliminating the chance that a passenger would note the presence of an 

ashtray and attempt to light a cigarette. Elimination of ashtrays from seated passengers also provides 

weight savings and reduces fuel consumption. 

In summary, the conditions and circumstances which warranted the original grant of Exemption No. 6034 

continue to exist. Delta request the extension of the termination date for this exemption not be delayed for 

publication in the Federal Register. This exemption is not precedent-setting, and the original petition was not 

published in the Federal Register. 

Delta Air Lines submits that good cause exists for granting the extension of the expiration date. Denying the 

relief sought would not be in the public interest, as it would likely result in Delta's inability to serve routes which 

it currently has economic authority to serve and for which there is a public demand. Since Exemption No. 6034I 

has an expiration date of February 28, 2015, we respectfully request that this amendment be handled in an 

expeditious manner. 

Your timely review and response to our request is appreciated. Please feel free to contact me at (404) 773-4576 

if you have any questions or need further information. 

Regards, 

~ 

David Stape 

Manager - Regulatory Compliance 

Technical Operations 
February 2, 2015 

Page 2 

cc: Mr. Jim Giles, POI - FAA/Delta Certificate Management Office 

Mr. Tim Stanton, Principal Maintenance Inspector, FAA/Delta Certificate Management Office 

Mr. Nick Pearson, Principal Avionics Inspector, FAA/Delta Certificate Management Office