Delta updated its Fly Delta iPhone app to integrate Passbook for mobile boarding passes, and also kicked things up a notch with its first iPad app.

The Fly Delta app for iPad provides users with the usual functionality such as checking in or booking flights, but it goes way beyond just that. In addition to being a reliable travel guide, offering relevant information regarding one's destination, the app will also cater to the user's in-flight needs, such as purchasing Wi-Fi or other onboard services.

The launch of the new iPad app is the latest move in Delta's $140 million investment in technology.

Glass Bottom Jet

The most exciting feature of the new Fly Delta app for iPad, however, is its "Glass Bottom Jet" feature. It is likely that anybody who has ever traveled by plane has wondered what it would be like to get a better idea of the world below. Meet Glass Bottom Jet, an interactive live-map view of the world beneath, complete with social networking integration.

"The Fly Delta App for iPad features a 'Glass Bottom Jet' through which customers will have the ability to view the ground below in a unique way that includes maps, social networks and internet content while connected to the Internet on any of Delta's more than 800 Wi-Fi-equipped aircraft," reads the press release. "The app also includes travel planning tools to book a trip, destination guides, flight check-in, and interactive trip map and that 'What's Next' feature to help guide customers to the next point in their journey."

"Our goal is to simplify the digital experience across the touch points where our customers already spend their time by making their interactions with Delta easy and intuitive," said Glen Hauenstein, Delta's Executive Vice President of Network Planning, Revenue Management and Marketing. "The incredible functionality and innovation found in the new iPad app embodies all that we're doing to further improve the digital experience customers have with Delta. All of this represents the largest investment to delta.com and digital technology in more than a decade."

Meanwhile, the company's Web site sports a new My Delta section which packs trip summaries, personal preferences, account details, payment information, and travel details in just one single location. The My Trips section now consolidates all details of a user's trip, including air, car, hotel, Trip Extras, travel alerts, and weather information, while the new My Wallet feature stores all payment information and receipts in a digital wallet on delta.com. The company plans to further enhance its Web site through a set of scheduled deployments throughout the first half of 2013.