As a proudly American airline, Delta stands at the forefront of the world’s most important journeys — delivering them with industry-leading safety, care and distinction.
With celebrations of America’s 250th anniversary underway, Delta Air Lines is marking the moment with purpose — connecting the past, present and future through storytelling, service and highlights for millions of customers throughout the summer.
From honoring World War II veterans in Normandy to bringing their stories to life on screen, to celebrating American heritage in the skies and in every seat, Delta’s actions this summer reflect a deep commitment to the values that have shaped the nation for nearly two and a half centuries.
Honoring heroes in Normandy
June 2-10, Delta marked a powerful milestone in its America 250 commemoration by once again returning World War II veterans to Normandy, France — bringing history to life on the very beaches where it unfolded.
As part of its annual Normandy Legacy Flight, Delta transported more than two dozen WWII veterans from Atlanta to Deauville, France to participate in D-Day remembrance ceremonies, honoring the 82nd anniversary of the Allied landings. Accompanied by caregivers, Delta employees and students from around the world, the veterans took part in a week of commemorative events recognizing their service and sacrifice. Coming from across the U.S., Delta provided these veterans end-to-end air travel from their origin to Deauville.
The journey underscores Delta’s ongoing partnership with the Best Defense Foundation and its commitment to preserving the stories of the Greatest Generation. Throughout the visit, veterans engaged with the next generation of students, ensuring their experiences — and the lessons they carry — continue to be shared for years to come.
Set against the backdrop of America’s upcoming 250th anniversary, this year’s Normandy mission carries even deeper meaning — connecting the nation’s founding ideals with the courage and service of those who defended them in one of history’s most defining moments.
Bringing history to life through “Why We Dream”
As part of the 80th anniversary of D-Day in 2024, Delta produced a documentary titled, ˝Why We Dream,” which captures the stories, wisdom and warnings of eight WWII veterans as they traveled back to Normandy eight decades later.
Since debuting at the Tribeca X Film Festival, the film has since been licensed by CNN and HBO Max; and premiered in prime time on Memorial Day, May 25, in celebration of America’s 250th Anniversary.
Onboard videos celebrate America – July 1
In the upcoming July 1 quarterly onboard welcome video with CEO Ed Bastian, airing across the global fleet, Delta will commemorate America’s 250th anniversary by honoring the freedoms, sacrifices, and rich cultural diversity that define the nation. This commemorative, pre-departure welcome video will play across more than 165,000 seatback screens, the most of any U.S.-based carrier.
As a proudly American airline, the video (‘An Occasion to Remember’) will draw inspiration from these enduring values, fueling more than a century of commitment to delivering elevated, world-class travel experiences that connect people and communities across the globe.
Delta will also launch the Star, Stripes & Stories collection of films onboard beginning July 1 – these are a cinematic tribute to ambition, freedom, and legacy where personal journeys and historic moments come together on screen. These titles include:
- Delta’s Why We Dream
- Freedom250’s Washington Monument Projection & New Year’s Eve Show, capturing the exciting celebrations that took place on the National Mall.
- Apollo 13
- Forrest Gump
- Independence Day
- Lincoln
- Hidden Figures
- Elvis
- Field of Dreams
- First Man
- To Kill a Mockingbird
- Wizard of Oz
- The Years Between Us
A symbol of celebration in the skies – 250 decal
To mark the milestone, Delta has introduced a special America 250 aircraft decal — continuing its tradition of recognizing historic moments through brand-forward aircraft markings that live on well past the milestone. Flying on one of our domestic Boeing 757-200 aircraft (ship 5653 built in Renton, Wash.) since the Memorial Day holiday, the America 250 branded plane is being flown daily between key U.S. hubs and high-volume markets.
Fueling Team USA on the road to LA28
This summer’s momentum also reflects Delta’s role on the global stage as the Official Airline of Team USA and an inaugural founding partner of the LA28 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Through a multi-year partnership that spans Beijing 2022, Paris 2024, Milano Cortina 2026 and Los Angeles 2028, Delta plays a critical role as the “team behind the team” for Team USA — connecting athletes, coaches and support staff to the world’s biggest stage while celebrating the shared pursuit of excellence, resilience and unity.
That partnership is visible in the skies today across Delta’s fleet, where custom Team USA livery aircraft serve as flying symbols of that journey. These aircraft — featuring bold red, white and blue designs and “Team USA” prominently displayed — celebrate the spirit of the Games while honoring the athletes who represent the United States on the world stage.
Delta’s Team USA Beijing, Paris and LA28-inspired liveries are already flying globally, reinforcing the airline’s commitment to connecting customers and fans to the excitement of the Games and the stories behind them.
A defining summer for connection
For Delta, marking America’s 250th anniversary isn’t just about celebration — it’s about honoring the values of service, resilience and connection that define both the country and the airline itself.
As the nation looks toward its next chapter, Delta remains committed to bringing people, communities and stories together — as we continue our mission of connecting the world while honoring the journey that brought us here.