Delta Air Lines

Delta Air Lines, Inc. is a major airline in the United States headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, operating nine hubs, with Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport being its largest in terms of total passengers and number of departures. With its regional subsidiaries and contractors operating under the brand name Delta Connection, Delta has over 5,400 flights daily and serve 325 destinations in 52 countries on six continents. Delta is a founding member of the SkyTeam airline alliance which helps to extend its global network.<ref name=2024annual/> It is the oldest operating U.S. airline and the seventh-oldest operating worldwide.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Delta ranks first in revenue and brand value among the world's largest airlines, and second by number of passengers carried, passenger miles flown, and fleet size.<ref name="statsfacts">Template:Cite web</ref> Listed 70th on the Fortune 500 list,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Delta has topped The Wall Street Journal's annual rankings of airlines in 2022, 2023, and 2024 and earned first place in the 2024 Readers’ Choice Awards for Best Airlines in the U.S. by Condé Nast Traveler.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

History

Early history

The history of Delta Air Lines began with the world's first aerial crop dusting operation called Huff Daland Dusters, Inc. The company was founded on March 2, 1925, in Macon, Georgia, before moving to Monroe, Louisiana, in the summer of 1925.<ref name="Founding">Template:Cite web</ref> It flew a Huff-Daland Duster, the first true crop duster, designed to combat the boll weevil infestation of cotton crops.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> C.E. Woolman, general manager and later Delta's first CEO, led a group of local investors to acquire the company's assets. Delta Air Service was incorporated on December 3, 1928, and was named after the Mississippi Delta region.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="journey">Template:Cite web</ref>

Passenger operations began on June 17, 1929,<ref name=NAAH>Template:Cite book</ref> from Dallas, Texas, to Jackson, Mississippi, with stops at Shreveport and Monroe, Louisiana. By June 1930, service had extended east to Atlanta and west to Fort Worth, Texas.<ref name="First Flights">Template:Cite web</ref> Passenger service ceased in October 1930 when the airmail contract for the route Delta had pioneered was awarded to another airline, which purchased the assets of Delta Air Service. Local banker Travis Oliver, acting as a trustee, C.E. Woolman, and other local investors purchased back the crop-dusting assets of Delta Air Service and incorporated as Delta Air Corporation on December 31, 1930.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Delta Air Corporation secured an airmail contract in 1934, and began doing business as Delta Air Lines over Mail Route 24, stretching from Fort Worth, Texas, to Charleston, South Carolina.<ref name="First Flights"/><ref>Template:Cite book</ref><ref name="Founding"/> Delta moved its headquarters from Monroe, Louisiana, to its current location in Atlanta in 1941.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> The company name officially became Delta Air Lines in 1945.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In 1946, the company commenced regularly scheduled freight transport. In 1949, the company launched the first discounted fares between Chicago and Miami. In 1953, the company launched its first international routes after the acquisition of Chicago and Southern Air Lines.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In 1959, it was the first airline to fly the Douglas DC-8. In 1960, it was the first airline to fly Convair 880 jets. In 1964, it launched the Deltamatic reservation systems using computers in the IBM 7070 series. In 1965, Delta was the first airline to fly the McDonnell Douglas DC-9.

Growth and acquisitions

By 1970, Delta had an all-jet fleet, and in 1972 it acquired Northeast Airlines. Trans-Atlantic service began in 1978 with the first nonstop flights from Atlanta to London. In 1981, Delta launched a frequent-flyer program. In 1987, it acquired Western Airlines, and that same year Delta began trans-Pacific service (Atlanta to Portland, Oregon, to Tokyo). In 1990, Delta was the first airline in the United States to fly McDonnell Douglas MD-11 jets. In 1991, it acquired substantially all of Pan Am's trans-Atlantic routes and the Pan Am Shuttle, rebranded as the Delta Shuttle. Delta was now the leading airline across the Atlantic.<ref name="journey" /><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

In 1997, Delta was the first airline to board more than 100 million passengers in a calendar year. Also that year, Delta began an expansion of its international routes into Latin America.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In 2003, the company launched Song, a low-cost carrier.<ref name=journey/>

Bankruptcy and restructuring (2005–2007)

On September 14, 2005, the company filed for bankruptcy, citing rising fuel costs.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> It emerged from bankruptcy in April 2007 after fending off a hostile takeover from US Airways and its shares were re-listed on the New York Stock Exchange.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Acquisition of Northwest Airlines (2008–2010)

The acquisition of Northwest Airlines was announced on April 14, 2008. It was approved and consummated on October 29, 2008. Northwest continued to operate as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Delta until December 31, 2009, when the Northwest Airlines operating certificate was merged into that of Delta.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Delta completed integration with Northwest on January 31, 2010, when their computer reservations system and websites were combined, and the Northwest Airlines brand was officially retired.<ref name="mouawad">Template:Cite news</ref>

Network

Destinations

Delta and its worldwide alliance partners operate more than 15,000 flights per day.<ref name="statsfacts"/> Delta is the only U.S. carrier that flies to Dakar, and along with competitors United Airlines and American Airlines, are the only two U.S. carriers that fly to Stockholm and Copenhagen, respectively.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

As of December 31, 2021, Delta's mainline aircraft fly to 242 destinations, serving 52 countries across six continents. The airline operates nine domestic hubs.<ref name="DL_Routes">Template:Cite web</ref> In the summer of 2024, Delta operated 893 daily flights out of its Atlanta main hub.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Hubs

Delta currently has nine hubs:<ref name=statsfacts /><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

• Atlanta: The airline's largest hub serving the Southern and Eastern United States and as its main gateway to Latin America and the Caribbean. Home to Delta's corporate headquarters, as well as Delta TechOps, the airline's primary maintenance base.<ref name="ATLlargestHub">Template:Cite news</ref>
• Boston: Delta's secondary transatlantic hub. It offers service to destinations in Europe and North America.
• Detroit: One of Delta's two Midwest hubs. It is the primary Asian gateway for the Eastern United States and it also provides service to many destinations in the Americas and Europe.
• Los Angeles: Delta's secondary hub for the West Coast. It offers service to cities in Latin America, Asia, Australia, Europe, and major domestic cities and West Coast regional destinations.
• Minneapolis/St. Paul: One of Delta's two Midwest hubs. It is the primary Canadian gateway for the airline and also serves many American metropolitan destinations, many regional destinations in the upper Midwest, and some select destinations in Europe and Asia.
• New York–JFK: Delta's primary transatlantic hub. The hub also offers service on transcontinental "prestige routes" to Los Angeles and San Francisco.
• New York–LaGuardia: Delta's second New York hub. Delta's service at LaGuardia covers numerous East Coast U.S. cities and several regional destinations in the U.S. and Canada.
• Salt Lake City: Delta's hub for the Rocky Mountain region of the United States. Delta's service covers most major U.S. destinations and several regional destinations in the U.S., emphasizing the Rocky Mountains and select destinations in Canada and Mexico, and select cities in Europe, Hawaii and Asia.
• Seattle/Tacoma: Delta's primary West Coast hub. The hub serves as an international gateway to Asia for the Western United States. Delta service also includes many major U.S. destinations as well as regional destinations in the Pacific Northwest.<ref name="airchive.com">Template:Cite web</ref>

Alliance and codeshare agreements

Delta is a member of the SkyTeam alliance and has codeshare agreements with the following airlines:<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

• Aerolíneas Argentinas<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
• Aeroméxico<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
• Air Europa
• Air France
• airBaltic<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
• China Airlines
• China Eastern Airlines
• El Al<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
• Garuda Indonesia
• Hawaiian Airlines
• ITA Airways<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
• Kenya Airways<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
• KLM
• Korean Air<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
• LATAM Airlines<ref name=LATAM>Template:Cite web</ref>
• Rex Airlines<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
• Saudia<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
• Scandinavian Airlines<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
• Seaborne Airlines<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
• Shanghai Airlines
• Transavia<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
• Vietnam Airlines<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
• Virgin Atlantic<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
• WestJet<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Fleet

Template:ExcerptIn the first quarter of 2025, Delta expanded its fleet with the addition of nine aircraft, including Airbus A321neo and A350-900 models. The airline also introduced new international routes, such as service from Atlanta to Marrakech, and resumed previously suspended routes, including New York–JFK to Tel Aviv.<ref name=":2" />

Cabin

Delta underwent a cabin branding upgrade in 2015.<ref name="CabinRefresh">Template:Cite news</ref> Availability and exact details vary by route and aircraft type.

Delta One

File:Delta One Suites (41341308490).jpg

Delta One Suite

Delta One is the airline's premier business class product, available on long-haul international flights, as well as transcontinental service from New York–Kennedy to Los Angeles and San Francisco.<ref name="CabinRefresh"/>

Delta One features lie-flat seating on all aircraft types and direct aisle access from every seat on all types except the Boeing 757-200 (in which only a special sub-fleet of approximately 20 aircraft feature lie-flats) and in their 'type 35L' ex-LATAM A350s (which use a 2-2-2 layout).<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The Boeing 767-300ER seats, designed by James Thompson, feature a space-saving design whereby the seats are staggered such that when in the fully flat position, the foot of each bed extends under the armrests of the seat in front of it. On the Airbus A330 cabins, Delta One features the Cirrus flat-bed sleeper suite by Zodiac Seats U.S., configured in a reverse herringbone pattern.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

All seats are also equipped with a personal, on-demand in-flight-entertainment (IFE) system, universal power-ports, a movable reading light, and a folding work table. Passengers also receive meals, alcoholic beverages, an amenity kit, bedding, and pre-flight Delta Sky Club access.<ref name="CabinDetails">Template:Cite web</ref>

In August 2016, Delta announced the introduction of Delta One Suites on select widebody fleets. The suites will feature a door to the aisle for enhanced privacy, as well as improved storage space, a larger IFE screen, and an updated design. The suites rolled out on the Airbus A350 fleet, first delivered in July 2017, followed by installation within the Boeing 777 fleet.<ref name=":0">Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Delta's Airbus A330-900, which began revenue service for the airline in July 2019, also features Delta One Suites.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Also in July 2019, Delta began retrofitting a new seat on the 767-400ER, which featured increased privacy and design similar to Delta One Suites, though without a privacy door.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> These seats lack a door due to the 767's smaller cabin width.

First Class

File:A220 First Class (44703804685).jpg

Delta First class on an Airbus A220

First Class is offered on mainline domestic flights (except those featuring Delta One service), select short- and medium-haul international flights, and Delta Connection aircraft. Seats range from Template:Convert wide and have between Template:Convert of pitch. Passengers in this class receive a wider variety of free snacks compared to Main Cabin, as well as free drinks and alcohol, and full meal service on flights Template:Convert and longer. Certain aircraft also feature power ports at each seat and free entertainment products from Delta Studio. First Class passengers are also eligible for priority boarding.<ref name="CabinDetails" />

Premium Select

File:A350- Interior - Premium Select (37095459120).jpg

Delta Premium Select on an Airbus A350-900

In April 2016, Delta CEO Ed Bastian announced that a new Premium Economy cabin would be added. Since renamed to Premium Select, this cabin will feature extra legroom; adjustable leg rests; extra seat pitch, width, and recline; and a new premium service. Delta introduced it on its new Airbus A350, first delivered in fall 2017, to be followed by the now-retired Boeing 777.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> In October 2018, Delta announced that it would be selling first class seats on domestically configured Boeing 757 aircraft flying transatlantic routes as Premium Select.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Delta's A330-900, delivered in 2019, also offers Premium Select.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> In 2021, Delta began retrofitting many of its 767-300ER and older A330 aircraft with Premium Select.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Template:Visible anchor

File:Interior of Delta Air Lines Airbus A321.jpg

Delta Comfort+ on an Airbus A321

Delta Comfort+ seats are installed on all aircraft and feature Template:Convert of pitch; on all Delta One configured aircraft, Template:Convert of pitch and 50 percent more recline over standard Main Cabin seats.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Additional amenities include: priority boarding, dedicated overhead space, complimentary beer, wine, and spirits on flights Template:Convert or more, and complimentary premium snacks on flights Template:Convert or more. Complimentary premium entertainment is available via Delta Studio, with free headsets available on most flights.<ref name="CabinDetails"/> On transcontinental flights between JFK-LAX/SFO, Delta Comfort+ passengers also get Luvo snack wraps. Certain Medallion members can upgrade from Main Cabin to Comfort+ for free right after booking, while other customers can upgrade for a fee or with SkyMiles.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Main Cabin

File:A350- Interior - Main Cabin (23645006548).jpg

Main Cabin on an Airbus A350-900

Main Cabin (Economy Class) is available on all aircraft with seats ranging from Template:Convert wide and Template:Convert of pitch. The main cabin on some aircraft has an articulating seat bottom where the seat bottom moves forward in addition to the seat back tilting backwards when reclining.<ref name=":0" /><ref name="ReferenceA">Template:Cite news</ref>

Main Cabin passengers receive complimentary snacks and non-alcoholic drinks on all flights Template:Convert or longer. Alcoholic beverages are also available for purchase. Complimentary meals and alcoholic drinks are provided on long-haul international flights as well as selected transcontinental domestic flights, such as between New York–JFK and Seattle, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and San Diego.<ref name="delta.com-main-cabin-features">Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> As part of Delta's Flight Fuel buy on board program, meals are available for purchase on other North American flights Template:Convert or longer.<ref name="delta.com-main-cabin-features" />

Delta operated a different buy-on-board program between 2003 and 2005.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The previous program had items from differing providers, depending on the origin and destination of the flight.<ref>"Food Sales Test." Delta Air Lines. October 2, 2003. Retrieved on September 16, 2009.</ref><ref>"Food Sales." Delta Air Lines. February 18, 2004. Retrieved on September 16, 2009.</ref> Prices ranged up to $10 ($Template:Inflation when adjusted for inflation). The airline started the service on a few selected flights in July 2003, and the meal service was initially offered on 400 flights.<ref name=WeberFreefoodagain>"Delta restoring free food service Template:Webarchive." Associated Press at The Honolulu Advertiser. March 10, 2005. Retrieved on December 31, 2012.</ref> Delta ended this buy-on-board program in 2005; instead, Delta began offering snacks at no extra charge on flights over 90 minutes to most U.S. domestic flights and some flights to the Caribbean and Latin America. Beginning in mid-March 2005 the airline planned to stop providing pillows on flights within the 48 contiguous U.S. states, Bermuda, Canada, the Caribbean, and Central America. In addition, the airline increased the price of alcoholic beverages on Delta mainline flights from $4 ($Template:Inflation when adjusted for inflation) to $5 ($Template:Inflation when adjusted for inflation); the increase in alcohol prices did not occur on Song flights.<ref name=WeberFreefoodagain/>

Basic Economy

Basic Economy is a basic version of Main Cabin, offering the same services with fewer flexibility options for a lower price.<ref name="CabinRefresh"/> Examples of fewer flexibility options include no ticket changes, no paid or complimentary upgrades regardless of frequent-flier status, and only having a seat assigned at check-in.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> As of December 2021, Basic Economy travelers no longer earn award miles (used for redeeming free travel, for example) or medallion qualifying miles (which count towards elite status).<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Reward programs

SkyMiles

Template:Main SkyMiles is the frequent flyer program for Delta Air Lines. Miles do not expire but accounts may be deactivated by Delta in certain cases, such as the death of a program member or fraudulent activity.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

As part of its efforts to improve customer experience, Delta introduced several service upgrades in 2025. These included free Wi-Fi access for SkyMiles members on most domestic flights, expanded Delta Sky Club lounge facilities, and new premium dining options featuring branded offerings such as Shake Shack.<ref name=":2">Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Delta Sky Club

File:New Delta Sky Club (29840678206).jpg

A Sky Club in Concourse B at Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport

Delta Sky Club is the branding name of Delta's airport lounges. Membership is available through an annual membership that can be purchased with either money or miles. International passengers travelling in Delta One class get free access. Membership can also be granted through top-level Delta status or by being an American Express cardholder with certain exceptions. As of January 2019, Delta no longer offered single-day passes.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Originally, Delta's membership-based airport clubs were called Crown Room lounges, with Northwest's called WorldClubs.

Exclusive Delta One Clubs for customers travelling in business class are slated to open at New York–Kennedy, Los Angeles, and Boston in 2024.<ref>Template:Cite press release</ref><ref>Template:Cite press release</ref>

In February 2024, Delta announced a new, more exclusive or premium level of Sky Club lounge aimed at high-spending travellers. The first would be at New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport, followed by those in Boston's Logan International Airport and Los Angeles International Airport later in the year. In addition to wellness areas, the lounge would offer a full-service brasserie and a marketplace influenced or assisted by a chef that would feature an open kitchen. The move represented a shift away from a standard offering to something closer to a unique experience for each airport and the city in which the lounge was located.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

SkyBonus

On November 27, 2001, Delta Air Lines launched SkyBonus,<ref name="skybonus">Template:Cite web</ref> a program aimed toward small-to-medium businesses spending between $5,000 and $500,000 annually on air travel.<ref name="bonus press">Template:Cite press release</ref> Businesses can earn points toward free travel and upgrades, as well as Sky Club memberships and SkyMiles Silver Medallion status. Points are earned on paid travel based on various fare amounts paid, booking codes, and place origin or destination.<ref name="faq">Template:Cite web</ref> While enrolled businesses are able to earn points toward free travel, the travelling passenger is still eligible to earn SkyMiles during his or her travel.<ref name="faq"/>

In early 2010, Delta Air Lines merged its SkyBonus program with Northwest's similar Biz Perks program.<ref name="faq" />

Corporate affairs

Business trends

The key trends for Delta Air Lines are (as of the financial year ending December 31):<ref name="Delta Financial Statements">Template:Cite web</ref>

Year	Revenue in billion US$Template:EfnTemplate:Efn	Net income in billion US$Template:Efn	Assets in billion US$Template:Efn	Price per share in US$ Template:Citation needed	Employees (FTE)	Load factor (%)Template:Efn	Fleet sizeTemplate:Efn	Refs.
2005	16.4	−3.8	20.0		55,700	76.5	649	<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
2006	17.5	−6.2	19.6		51,300	78.5	600	<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
2007	19.1	1.6	32.4	18.56	55,044	80.3	578	<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
2008	22.6	−8.9	45.0	9.47	84,306	81.4	1,023	<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
2009	28.0	−1.2	43.7	7.53	81,106	82.0	983	<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
2010	31.7	0.6	43.1	12.60	79,684	83.0	815	<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
2011	35.1	0.9	43.4	9.29	78,400	82.1	775	<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
2012	36.6	1.0	44.5	10.07	74,000	83.8	717	<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
2013	37.7	10.5	52.2	20.00	78,000	83.8	743	<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
2014	40.3	0.7	54.0	37.61	80,000	84.7	772	<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
2015	40.7	4.5	53.1	46.11	83,000	84.9	809	<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
2016	39.6	4.3	51.2	43.11	84,000	84.6	832	<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
2017	41.2	3.5	53.2	49.98	87,000	85.6	856	<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
2018	44.4	3.9	60.2	54.50	89,000	85.5	871	<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
2019	44.0	4.7	64.5	55.30	91,000	86	898	<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
2020	17.0	−12.3	71.9	34.97	74,000	55	750	<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="Delta Financial Statements" />
2021	29.8	0.3	72.4	42.82	83,000	69	816	<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="Delta Financial Statements" />
2022	50.5	1.3	72.2	32.86	95,000	84	902	<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
2023	58.0	4.6	73.6	40.23	103,000	85	958	<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
2024	61.6	3.5	75.4	60.50	103,000	85	975	<ref name=2024annual>Template:Cite web</ref>

Personnel

Between its mainline operation and subsidiaries, and as of December 2024, Delta employs nearly 103,000 people.<ref name=2024annual/>

Delta's 17,500 mainline pilots are represented by the Air Line Pilots Association, International and are the union's second largest pilot group.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The company's approximately 180 flight dispatchers are represented by the Professional Airline Flight Control Association (PAFCA).<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Not counting the pilots and flight dispatchers, Delta is the only one of the five largest airlines in the United States, and one of only two in the top 9 (the other being JetBlue), whose non-pilot USA domestic staff is entirely non-union.<ref name="WSJESTERL">Template:Cite news</ref>

Delta Global Staffing

Delta Global Staffing (DGS) was a temporary employment firm located in Atlanta, Georgia. Delta Global Staffing was a wholly owned subsidiary of Delta Air Lines, Inc., and a division of the internal company DAL Global Services.

Delta Air Lines sold majority ownership of DAL Global Services to Argenbright Holdings on December 21, 2018. As part of the sale, Delta dissolved the staffing division of DGS.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

It was founded in 1995 as a provider of temporary staffing for Delta primarily in Atlanta. DGS has since expanded to include customers and businesses outside the airline and aviation industries. DGS now supports customers in major US metropolitan areas.

Delta Global Staffing provided contract workers for short and long term assignments, VMS partnering, VOP on-site management, temp-to-hire, direct placements, and payroll services. DGS services markets such as call centers, customer services and administrative placements, IT & professional recruiting, logistics, finance & accounting, hospitality, and aviation/airline industry.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

File:DeltaAirLinesHQAtlantaGA.jpg

Delta Air Lines headquarters in Atlanta

Headquarters and offices

Delta's corporate headquarters is located on a corporate campus on the northern boundary of Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport, within the city limits of Atlanta.<ref name="schmidt">Template:Cite news</ref><ref>"Contact Corporate Template:Webarchive." Delta Air Lines. Retrieved October 17, 2008.</ref><ref>"Zoning Ordinance of Atlanta, Georgia Sheet No. 14-128." () City of Atlanta. Retrieved October 17, 2008.</ref> This location has served as Delta's headquarters since 1941, when the company relocated its corporate offices from Monroe, Louisiana, to Greater Atlanta.<ref>Markiewicz, David. "Issues change, but Chamber rolls on 150 years later Template:Webarchive." The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Wednesday, December 2, 2009. Retrieved on December 27, 2009.</ref><ref>"Delta Air Lines Started as Crop-Dusting Service Template:Webarchive". Associated Press at St. Louis Post-Dispatch. September 1, 1988. 11A. Retrieved on December 27, 2009.</ref> The crop dusting division of Delta remained headquartered in Monroe until Delta ceased crop dusting in 1966.<ref name=journey/> Before 1981, the Delta corporate campus, an Template:Convert plot of land in proximity to the old Hartsfield Airport terminal, was outside the City of Atlanta limits in unincorporated Fulton County. On August 3, 1981, the Atlanta City Council approved the annexation of Template:Convert of land, an area containing the Delta headquarters. As of 1981 Delta would have had to begin paying $200,000 annually to the City of Atlanta in taxes. In September 1981, the airline sued the city, challenging the annexation on the basis of the constitutionality of the 1960 City of Atlanta annexation of the Hartsfield old terminal.<ref name=DeltaSuingCityATL>"Delta suing City of Atlanta Template:Webarchive." Associated Press at Rome News-Tribune. Wednesday, September 2, 1981. p. 10A. Retrieved from Google News (6 of 29) on December 19, 2013.</ref> The City of Atlanta was only permitted to annex areas that are adjacent to areas already in the Atlanta city limits.<ref name=DeltaSuingCityATL/>

In addition to hosting Delta's corporate headquarters, Hartsfield–Jackson is also the home of Delta TechOps, the airline's primary maintenance, repair, and overhaul arm and the largest full-service airline MRO in North America, specializing in engines, components, airframe, and line maintenance.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Delta maintains a large presence in the Twin Cities, with over 12,000 employees<ref name="mpr">Template:Cite news</ref> in the region as well as significant corporate support functions housed in the Minneapolis area, including the company's information technology divisional offices.<ref>Template:Cite press release</ref>

Corporate identity

File:2 x Delta A330 tail (4535564116).jpg

Tails of two Airbus A330s with the airline's "widget" logo

Delta's logo, often called the "widget", was originally unveiled in 1959. Its triangle shape is taken from the Greek letter delta, and recalls the airline's early history operating in the Mississippi Delta.<ref name="Mouawad1">Template:Cite news</ref> It is also said to be reminiscent of the swept-wing design of the DC-8, Delta's first jet aircraft.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

File:Delta 757-200 N713TW on final approach to Boston Dec 2024 2.jpg

A Boeing 757 painted in the current livery, "Upward & Onward"

Delta's current livery is called "Upward & Onward". It features a white fuselage with the company's name in blue lettering and a widget on the vertical stabilizer. Delta introduced its current livery in 2007 as part of a re-branding after it emerged from bankruptcy. The new livery consists of four colors, while the old one (called "colors in motion") uses eight. This meant the switch saved the airline money by removing one day from each aircraft's painting cycle. The airline took four years to repaint all of its aircraft into the current scheme, including aircraft inherited from Northwest Airlines.<ref name="Mouawad1"/>

Environmental initiatives

In 2008, Delta Air Lines was given an award from the United States Environmental Protection Agency's Design for the Environment (DfE) program for its use of PreKote, a more environmentally friendly, non-hexavalent chromium surface pretreatment on its aircraft, replacing hazardous chemicals formerly used to improve paint adhesion and prevent corrosion. In addition, PreKote reduces water usage by two-thirds and reduces wastewater treatment.

PreKote is also saving money by reducing the time needed to paint each airplane. With time savings of eight to ten percent, it will save an estimated more than $1 million annually.<ref name="Delta Air Lines News Release">Template:Cite press release</ref>

Despite having purchased 9.7 million metric tonnes of carbon offsets in 2022, Delta was in the process of moving away from such investments to reduce the company's carbon footprint by the end of March of that year and was instead focusing on reducing emissions from company operations.<ref>Template:Cite interview</ref> In May 2023, Delta Air Lines received a consumer class action lawsuit filed in Central California U.S. District Court over marketing claims that the company is the world's first carbon neutral airline.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

In popular culture

Deltalina

Template:Main As part of the re-branding project, a safety video featuring a flight attendant was posted on YouTube in early 2008, getting over 1 million views and the attention of news outlets, specifically for the video's tone mixed with the serious safety message. The flight attendant, Katherine Lee, was dubbed "Deltalina" by a member of FlyerTalk for her resemblance to Angelina Jolie.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Delta had considered several styles for its current safety video, including animation, before opting for a video presenting a flight attendant speaking to the audience. The video was filmed on a former Song Airlines Boeing 757-200.<ref>"Delta's Red-Headed Flight Attendant a Hit on YouTube in Airline's Safety Video ." Associated Press at Fox News. Sunday, March 23, 2008. Retrieved on August 24, 2009.</ref>

On-time performance

In 2023, Delta flights arrived at their destination on time 84.72% of the time, compared to the North American industry average of 74.45% per CiriumTemplate:Citation needed. Delta completed 98.82% of its scheduled flights.<ref>Template:Cite webTemplate:Dead link</ref>

Award and recognition

On June 24, 2024, Delta Air Lines was voted 2024 Best Airline in North America and Best Airline Staff Service in North America by Skytrax.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Accidents and incidents

Template:Main The following are major accidents and incidents that occurred on Delta mainline aircraft. For Northwest Airlines incidents, see Northwest Airlines accidents and incidents. For Delta Connection incidents, see Delta Connection incidents and accidents.

All told, in 14 fatal accidents involving at least one death, 299 passengers and crew died, 11 on two other aircraft died (in two collision accidents), and 16 persons on the ground died (in four accidents).<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

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Controversies and passenger incidents

In July 2024, Delta canceled over 7,000 flights during a disruption following the 2024 CrowdStrike incident.<ref name=":1">Template:Cite news</ref> The incident closely resembled the 2022 Southwest Airlines scheduling crisis, when a factor outside of the airline's control triggered a resulting mass cancellation event.<ref name=":1" /> On Tuesday July 23, 2024, United States Secretary of Transportation, Pete Buttigieg, announced the Department of Transportation would be launching an investigation into the events that prevented Delta Air Lines from swiftly recovering, as other airlines had.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Over the course of the event over 500,000 passengers were inconvenienced, according to Delta CEO Ed Bastian, and over 3,000 complaints had been lodged with the government according to the Department of Transportation.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Delta has claimed to have lost $500 million due to the outages and associated costs.<ref name=wsj_litigation>Template:Cite news</ref> The airline has hired David Boies in preparation for litigation against Microsoft and CrowdStrike.<ref name=wsj_litigation/>

On November 26, 2024, a passenger without a boarding pass bypassed all security protocols and managed to stow aboard a flight from New York JFK airport to Paris.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Safety and aircraft maintenance

In April 2025, two Delta Air Lines flights experienced incidents in which ceiling panels detached mid-flight, injuring at least one passenger. The events occurred on a Boeing 757 and a Boeing 717, prompting scrutiny of Delta’s maintenance practices and the condition of its older aircraft. Emergency personnel assessed the injured upon landing.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

That same month, three Delta flights made emergency landings within five days due to cabin pressurization issues. The aircraft either diverted or returned to their departure airports, with crews following established emergency protocols. Although no serious injuries were reported, the incidents raised concerns about the airline’s operational oversight. Delta stated that it provided accommodations for affected passengers and reaffirmed its focus on safety.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

See also

• Air transportation in the United States
• Delta Flight Museum
• Delta Global Staffing
• Delta Ship 41
• List of airlines of the United States
• List of airports in the United States
• Transportation in the United States

References

Notes

Bibliography

• Template:Cite book

External links

• Template:Official website
• Template:OpenCorp