The Red Coats are back.

Delta Air Lines' elite customer service representatives and their easy-to-spot red jackets returned to Memphis International Airport Monday after a four-year absence.

Seasoned travelers like author and speaker Bill Catlette of Collierville are thrilled.

"When you have weather delays, mechanical delays, and you need someone to cut through the stuff, the Red Coats are able to do that," said Catlette, who has logged more than 3 million miles flying Delta.

"I'm delighted that they've reinstated that program. I'm hoping they can rekindle the spirit of service that existed in Delta in the Northwest employees."

Delta and Memphis had red-coated helpers from the early 1960s until Delta went into bankruptcy and had to make cuts in 2005. Delta resumed the program at JFK airport in New York in 2007 and decided to expand it across the larger network created by the airline's October 2008 merger with Northwest.

"The Red Coats are a legendary part of the Delta brand, and they are identifiable to both customers and employees," Gil West, Delta senior vice president for airport customer service, said in a memo discussing program details. "As we implement the tools associated with service recovery, the reimplementation of the Red Coats will be instrumental in reviving Delta-style service, driving service recovery initiatives, and enhancing customer loyalty."