Do you know what’s below: Inside Delta Cargo

Learn more about Delta Cargo, the team alongside ACS Below Wing that quietly helps power the operations and logistics of enterprises all around the world – one load at a time.

Jacqueline Lamothe

Nov 20, 2025 3:00pm

As flight crews complete final safety checks and prepare for takeoff, a quiet excitement fills the cabin. But the journey involves much more than what happens above wing.

In cargo warehouses and on the ramp, Delta Cargo and Airport Customer Service (ACS) below-wing teams work together behind the scenes — with Cargo managing shipments in facilities and ACS ensuring safe loading and aircraft preparation — to keep the world connected and moving forward.

All about Delta Cargo

Delta Cargo started with mail service in 1934 and began scheduled cargo services 11 years later – with the first item being freshly picked mushrooms. Since then, the Cargo team has shipped thousands of items all around the world and transported over 11 million pieces of cargo last year.

From exotic flowers, organs needed for transplants, life-saving pharmaceuticals, fresh-caught salmon for local restaurants and (literally) so much more, Delta’s Cargo division is responsible for the safe, successful and on-time delivery of customer shipments across the network.

“Delta connects the world in more ways than most realize and every day, our Cargo teams move countless shipments that keep global commerce running,” Peter Penseel, President of Delta Cargo, said. “What happens beneath the cabin is just as exceptional as what happens above it, and no one better connects or moves the world than Delta Cargo.”

Just as Delta ensures passengers arrive safely, on time, and with their bags, our Cargo team delivers with the same commitment—ensuring shipments reach their destinations reliably, efficiently and with care.

Tracking the journey

No two orders are exactly alike, but they all begin by meeting a need. Questions naturally follow: How should the delivery be distributed to accommodate for spacing? By when should it be shipped? What materials are needed to keep the products fresh by the time they get to their destination?

There are several key elements that make this process seamless, namely:

Delta’s strong, extensive global network empowers the Network/Alliance team to create routes and partnerships that make the movement possible.

The Sales team identifies and connects with clients to negotiate deals, beginning the shipping process.

The Product team helps customers with their shipping needs through Delta DASH, DASH Critical, Deliver Direct and more.

Delta’s operational reliability and excellence empowers the Operations team as they handle the loading, unloading and storing of items.

Delta teams rally together

Learn more about the departments across Delta that bring care, precision and reliability to the cargo shipping journey.

Delta Cargo Deep Dive

Cargo Control Center/Customer Service Center: Monitors shipments and provides real-time support during the travel journey and upon their arrival.

Delta Cargo Deep Dive

Ground operations: Handles the physical movement of the cargo – loading and unloading into the warehouse and onto the ramp.

Delta Cargo Deep Dive

Product: Designs cargo offerings to meet the needs of customers across the globe.

Delta Cargo Deep Dive

Pricing/Rev Management: Sets the pricing strategies and manages capacity to optimize revenue.

Delta Cargo Deep Dive

Network/Alliances: Works to build partnerships and routes that make cargo movement possible.

Delta Cargo Deep Dive

Sales: Secures business by engaging freight forwarders and logistics providers, using Delta’s global network, products and capacity, to help meet customer needs.

From storefronts to life-saving shipments, Delta Cargo moves what matters—powered by the people who make it happen every day.