Delta and Spotify debut new ‘The Passport Sessions’ series connecting artists, cultures and stories
Let the music guide you through the stories of Miami, Medellín and beyond as Delta and Spotify unveil “The Passport Sessions.” The new collaborative series, available exclusively on Delta in-flight entertainment, is an ode to the shared human experience where the journey is just as important as the destination.
Travelers and music lovers alike can pack their bags and get ready to stamp their musical passports as Delta and Spotify partner to release a brand-new docuseries, aptly titled “The Passport Sessions.”
The new series brings together songwriters, producers and artists from “twin cities” – cities around the world that share similar cultural identities – to create new music while exploring the influence and impact that music has on different cultures around the world. Available today exclusively on Delta’s industry-leading in-flight entertainment, the continued collaboration with Spotify signals another step in the airline’s journey to make the time spent on Delta even more enjoyable.
A Musical Travelogue
In a world where beats can transcend borders and music is a universal language, “The Passport Sessions” is an exploration into the music, cultures and stories that connect us. The first episode, “From Miami to Medellín”, sees Miami-based singer-songwriter Maye and producer Andy Clay meet with local artists Juan Duque and Aria Vega in Colombia’s city of eternal spring, Medellín.
Together, Maye and Andy travel on Delta to Medellín where they embark on a musical journey with Juan and Aria to capture the essence of their respective cities and cultures through music. From breaking bread in El Poblado to exploring local flavors in Comuna 13, the episode captures the artists’ creative process as they collaborate in the studio.
“‘The Passport Sessions’ series is about more than showcasing music,” said Delta Chief Marketing Officer Alicia Tillman. “It’s a harmonious celebration, quite literally, of Delta’s commitment to connecting people to places, passions and their own potential. We’re weaving the cultural fabrics of destinations like Miami and Medellín into the very essence of our in-flight experience. It’s an embodiment of the magic that can happen when two beloved brands collaborate to live out their shared values in new and interesting ways.”
Customers can enjoy this exclusive content free on Delta’s industry-leading in-flight entertainment today. Simply navigate to the “Series” category of Delta Studio on your seatback screen. With more seatback screens across its global fleet than any U.S.-based carrier, Delta’s in-house curation team takes pride in hand-picking the best content to bring onboard each month.
Stay tuned for future episodes of “The Passport Sessions” series later this year.
An Elevated Audio Partnership
Spotify’s curated audio experience is among the highest performing entertainment on Delta’s industry-leading seatback screens with more than 150 million listens of Spotify curated audio since the partnership launched in September 2021.
As part of the exclusive partnership, Spotify has curated more than 50 mixtapes and added over 100 podcast shows to-date for passengers to enjoy in-flight. Spotify has also put its own spin on the “Delta Official Boarding Music,” updating the playlist monthly to include Delta customers’ favorites, making sure that even the most frequent flyers experience a fresh music rotation.
Now, “The Passport Sessions” represents a dynamic new aspect of Delta’s partnership with Spotify, the airline’s exclusive audio partner.
"Fostering strong and dynamic partnerships with brands like Spotify helps us bring the best seatback entertainment to customers and enhance their overall travel experience," said Ekrem Dimbiloglu, Managing Director - In-Flight Entertainment and Connectivity. "But it also means ensuring we are reflecting communities and helping customers discover new cultural connections only travel can underscore."
Daily Route from Miami to Medellín
Delta and joint venture partner LATAM Airlines Group service daily flights from Miami (MIA) to Medellín, Colombia (MDE), as part of their extensive combined network between North and South America. The Miami-Medellín route operates on a LATAM Airbus A320 aircraft offering Premium Economy and Economy cabins.
Meet the Minds Behind the Music
Maye On traveling to Medellín: “I think I’m going to be taking back all these colorful, vivid memories that I’ve been making here, tuck them in my heart, put them on the plane and take them with me to see what songs come out in Miami.” |
Andy Clay On “The Passport Sessions” experience: “It expands your vision. You don’t just have to think about making music for Medellín. We incorporate sounds happening in Miami, in Europe. This is important because it refines your ear. And in the end, it will help our careers continue to evolve.” |
Aria Vega On Colombia: “Anything and everything that my country has to offer, I’m proud of it. Architecture and the way we speak and what we eat – anything that has to do with our culture.” |
Juan Duque On making music: “I learned how to make songs by telling my stories. Music is my outlet. It’s my authenticity – I express my happiness and sadness, and people can relate.” |
Through the warmth and service of Delta Air Lines people and the power of innovation, Delta never stops looking for ways to make every trip feel tailored to every customer. With more seatback screens across its global fleet than any U.S.-based carrier, Delta’s in-house curation team takes pride in hand-picking the best content to bring onboard each month, from new hits to timeless classics and exclusive audio collections in partnership with Spotify, Delta’s exclusive audio partner. More information about content on Delta can be found on delta.com.