For the fourth consecutive year, Delta is proud to continue its Normandy Legacy Flight, supporting the first-of-its-kind program that flies World War II veterans and students back to Normandy, France to commemorate the anniversary of the D-Day invasion, honor the legacy of these heroes and educate the next generation.

In partnership with Michelin, Delta and Best Defense Foundation will support the return of approximately 30 veterans to Normandy. In addition to supporting the week-long events, the global airline will host a nonstop charter flight directly from Atlanta to Deauville, Normandy Airport on May 31, arriving in Deauville on June 1 and returning to Atlanta on June 9. This will mark only the fourth time a U.S. passenger airline will fly directly to Normandy, with the other three being the Delta charter flights from 2022-2024.

While there, veterans will participate in a series of special commemorative events that honor the memory, legacy and sacrifice of the service members – fueling cross-cultural connection and education.

"It is our honor and privilege to continue this historic charter and week-long celebration as a journey of remembrance and gratitude, dedicated to our World War II heroes," said Delta CEO Ed Bastian. "Delta has a deep history of supporting our military service members and veterans, and this program is one of the many ways we live our values in service of those who served us.”
As part of the program, Best Defense Foundation provides caregivers for each WWII veteran throughout the trip, including Delta team members from its Veterans Business Resource Group (BRG) and other BRGs. BRG volunteers will receive specialized training and be paired 1:1 with veterans, cultivating an environment for ongoing support and meaningful connection.

Delta has also partnered with Aviramp, an award-winning UK manufacturer of boarding equipment, to provide a safe and comfortable boarding and deplaning experience for the veterans, regardless of their mobility.

“Each year, we remain committed to honoring the sacrifices of our WWII veterans by bringing them back to the battlefields where they served,” said Donnie Edwards – President and Co-Founder Best Defense Foundation. “As we return to Normandy for the 81st anniversary, we continue our proud partnership with Delta Air Lines to provide these heroes the opportunity for reflection, remembrance, and camaraderie. Their stories are a living testament to history, and we are grateful to stand beside them as we pay tribute to their legacy.”

As part of Delta’s ongoing commitment to honor the legacy of WWII veterans and ensure their stories are never forgotten, the airline will once again partner with the Best Defense Foundation to bring 10 students through its NextGen Program to Normandy. This fully immersive experience will allow students to walk in the footsteps of history alongside the veterans who lived it, visiting historic sites and attending the Freedom Prize ceremony in Caen on June 3.

“Eighty-one years after the D-Day landings, Normandy continues to show its gratitude and eternal recognition to the heroes who liberated its territory, France, and Europe at the risk of their lives,” said Hervé Morin – President of Normandy. “It will be a great honor for me to welcome these veterans, like previous years, to the Abbaye aux Dames in Caen to celebrate this great moment in the history of humanity and the return of democracy and peace. We are honored by their participation along with the American students at the Freedom Prize ceremony.”

About Delta's support of veterans

Delta is proud to stand alongside Normandy, Best Defense Foundation and Michelin honoring those who defended freedom and shaped the course of history – ensuring their stories continue to inspire future generations. 
With 11% of Delta's employees being veterans and many of them continuing to serve in the Guard or Reserves, Delta's work to support veterans and their families dates back decades and includes several efforts, such as:
 

• Onboarding new partners to promote access to opportunities to veterans across the enterprise, including Military MOJO, Service Academy Career Conference, Value of a Veteran and MBA Veterans Network.
• Building a robust military talent pipeline through partnerships with organizations such as FourBlock and the PaYS Program to help veterans transition to civilian careers.  
• Serving as a principal funder of four Fisher House Foundation facilities, where families of military personnel can stay at no cost while their loved ones receive treatment.  
• Supporting 14 USO chapters through sponsorship and volunteer work, including assembling care packages, serving hot meals, and spending time with service members.  
• Contributing to the Marine Toys for Tots campaign for 20 years, providing bicycles, toys and books to children in need in December and contributing annually to the organization.  
• Supporting Folds of Honor in 19 markets across the U.S. through funding for educational scholarships for family members of fallen or disabled American military members.  
• Engaging in meaningful partnerships to support armed service members and veterans including the Congressional Medal of Honor Foundation, Fisher House Foundation, Folds of Honor, Luke's Wings, Marine Toys for Tots, Operation Healing Forces, Serving Our Troops, WWII Foundation, the USO along with the Freedom Center in Detroit, the Armed Forces Service Centers in Miami and Minneapolis, and the Army PaYS Program.
   

About Best Defense Foundation

Founded by Donnie Edwards as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, the Best Defense Foundation is dedicated to supporting all generations of veterans. The Foundation is funded entirely through sponsorships, private donations, and Edwards’ own personal philanthropy. At the heart of its mission is a deep commitment to honoring WWII veterans by bringing them back to the very battlefields where they served—offering a powerful opportunity for healing, reflection, camaraderie, and celebration of their courage and sacrifice. Since 2018, the Foundation’s Battlefield Return Program has brought veterans to historic sites including Iwo Jima, Belgium, the Netherlands, Guam, Tinian and Saipan, Normandy, and Germany. 

About Michelin North America, Inc.

Michelin is building a world-leading manufacturer of life-changing composites and experiences.  
Pioneering engineered materials for more than 130 years, Michelin is uniquely positioned to make decisive contributions to human progress and to a more sustainable world. Drawing on its deep know-how in polymer composites, Michelin is constantly innovating to manufacture high-quality tires and components for critical applications in demanding fields as varied as mobility, construction, aeronautics, low-carbon energies and healthcare. The care placed in its products and deep customer knowledge inspire Michelin to offer the finest experiences. This spans from providing data- and AI-based connected solutions for professional fleets to recommending outstanding restaurants and hotels curated by the MICHELIN Guide. Headquartered in Greenville, S.C., Michelin North America, Inc. has approximately 23,500 employees and operates 36 production facilities in the United States (michelinman.com) and Canada (michelin.ca)