Delta celebrates a century of flight with Assouline coffee table book, dedicated to its employees

Delta and the Delta Flight Museum are continuing the airline’s Centennial celebrations with the launch of Delta: 100 Years & Climbing, a luxury coffee table book created in partnership with renowned publisher Assouline — available for pre-order beginning Nov. 18 on www.assouline.com.  

The beautifully crafted volume commemorates Delta’s journey from a humble crop-dusting operation in 1925 to one of the world’s leading global carriers, now connecting more than 200 million customers to 300 destinations on six continents every year — safely, reliably and with industry-leading customer service innovation. 

“As the first U.S. carrier to turn one hundred years old, we feel pride and gratitude when thinking back on all that this airline and its people have achieved, always finding a way to soar higher no matter the challenges,” said Delta CEO Ed Bastian in the book’s foreword. “This book is a tribute to the 100,000 employees who call Delta home and the many others who came before us — those who reached for the unimaginable, bravely forged new paths, and relentlessly pursued excellence.” 

Authored by New York–based journalist Mark Ellwood and organized decade by decade, the book brings Delta’s history to life through striking photography and personal stories — highlighting fleet evolution, branding milestones, route expansions and the generations of Delta employees who are the backbone of the airline’s success. The chapters bring readers on a journey from Delta’s first passenger flight in 1929 through the Jet Age debut of the DC-8, to more modern history like the trailblazing women who first entered the cockpit and the debut of premium amenities like in-flight Wi-Fi and Delta One suites that redefined comfort in the skies.  

The Delta Flight Museum, a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving and celebrating aviation history, played a pivotal role in curating the historic photographs, advertisements and stories that make the book an authentic tribute to Delta’s legacy.  

“Preserving Delta’s history is about more than keeping artifacts — it’s about honoring the people and moments that shaped aviation and inspiring future generations to keep pushing the boundaries,” said Gail Grimmett, President of Delta Flight Museum. “Flight itself was unimaginable just over a century ago, and it was the vision and determination of the entire industry that made it possible. This book celebrates the Delta people, whose spirit of innovation and resilience brought us here – reminding us how far we’ve come and how much further we can go if we keep climbing, together.” 

 Delta: 100 Years & Climbing — a must-have for collectors, aviation enthusiasts, explorers and armchair travelers alike — will officially launch in Assouline boutiques, select retailers and online at www.assouline.com on Dec. 15.   

For more ways to celebrate this season, explore Delta’s Centennial Holiday Collection on Delta Shop, featuring exclusive merchandise like cozy sweaters, festive ornaments and aviation-inspired accessories. 

About The Author  

British-born, New York–based Mark Ellwood has lived out of a suitcase for most of his life — one reason he’s a proud Diamond Medallion® Member. Mark is editor-at-large for luxury bible Robb Report and a columnist with Bloomberg Luxury. A frequent television host and contributor, Mark is a regular guest on NBC’s Today show as a travel expert, guiding viewers to the best deals available to destinations around the world.