A fascinating journey: Nigerian journalist visits Delta’s headquarters

Learn more about a Nigerian travel journalist's experience at Delta's headquarters.

Staff Writer

Apr 2, 2025 1:30pm

Wole Shadare is a distinguished Nigerian travel journalist. Delta invited Shadare and other Nigerian journalists to tour the airline’s headquarters in Atlanta. Their flight from LOS to ATL was complete with in-flight amenities and service in the Delta One cabin – with exclusive VIP Select service. The journalists’ trip was fully paid for by Delta.

Anticipation of adventure filled my heart as I boarded my flight to Atlanta. In response to an invitation from Delta Air Lines, I opted to experience the airline’s operations firsthand and see the reasons behind its status as a globally sought-after brand.

Departure from Lagos

Although I arrived early at Lagos Airport to efficiently complete the check-in and security process, the lines throughout the airport were long due to inclement weather operations. Nevertheless, Delta’s VIP Select Service made the process less stressful through a seamless check-in experience.

The familiarization progam included notable Nigerian media personalities: Tunji Abioye, Editor of Punch Newspapers; Kachi Offiah of Arise TV; and media influencers Sassy Funke and Fisayo Fosudo. Mary Gbobaniyi, Delta Air Lines' Sales Manager, welcomed us into the airport lounge, where we enjoyed a quick meal before boarding.

The Delta One Experience

After completing security checks, I settled into Delta One, the airline’s premium Business Class cabin. While the welcoming, courteous crew greeted passengers with their choice of drinks, I opted for a glass of Châteauneuf-du-Pape Les Sinards red wine. Delta’s in-flight dining is reimagined every season, providing variety for frequent travellers. Complimentary beer, wine and liquor service added to the relaxing experience.

For the main course, Delta showcased the best of Nigerian cuisine with a thoughtfully curated selection. Prior to boarding, I remembered the article highlighting elevated meals onboard Delta One to LOS. One of the dishes was Ewa Agoyin, a traditional Nigerian classic featuring a savory bean cake with basmati jollof rice, plantain and fish. According to Gbobaniyi, the meal had become a customer favorite, and I looked forward to trying it.

A Look Inside

After breakfast the next day, we headed to Delta’s headquarters. Our first stop was the Delta Flight Museum, a dedicated archive housing relics from the airline’s rich history. Notably, the museum displayed a photo commemorating Delta’s role in transporting Nigeria’s national soccer team to Rio for a major sporting tournament in 2016 against Japan.

We were then introduced to and warmly received by officials from departments across the company including corporate communications, maintenance, marketing operations and more.

A highlight of the visit was meeting Julian Ugochukwu Anugom, Nigerian-born Director of In-Flight Entertainment and Connectivity (IFEC). Anugom, who leads the airline’s onboard connectivity strategy, shared insights into Delta’s $1 billion investment in IFEC across Nigerian and other routes. “Delta has an unmatched 165,000 screens across its fleet—more than any other airline in the world,” Anugom noted.

Exploring Delta’s Technical Operations

We then headed to Delta’s Technical Operations facility (affectionately known as TechOps), where we learned about its aircraft maintenance and operational strategies.

As the airline approaches is celebrating its Centennial year, its award-winning maintenance facility continues to thrive as one of the largest in the world.

Beyond servicing its own fleet, Delta also provides top-tier maintenance for over 200 airlines worldwide. The scale of operations was astonishing, with the facility covering an area larger than 25 football fields under one roof.

Centennial Fun Fact: “No Job Too Hard” was the slogan of Delta’s mechanics in 1929.

The Ultimate Experience: Flight Simulators

One of the most thrilling parts of the trip was experiencing the flight simulators. Bryan McMillon, Program Manager for Flight Operations, posed an intriguing question: “Ever rolled a Boeing 767 full-flight simulator?” With a gentle turn of the yoke to the left, the cockpit rolled, the horizon flipped, and the 767 maneuvered in ways unimaginable for a commercial airliner. It was an exhilarating moment.

*Editor’s note: Delta crews — whether they work in the air, on the flight deck, in the cabin or on the ground — are trained to deal with scenarios they are likely never to experience in real-world situations, ensuring the highest levels of readiness and safety.

Final Thoughts

My experience proved to be an eye-opener, revealing the incredible success story of an airline renowned for its reputation and service excellence. The Delta experience ranks among the most remarkable I have had in my more than two decades as a travel journalist. It showcased a firm that is continuously evolving, investing significant capital and research in product improvements while maintaining its premium status as one of the world’s best carriers. Delta’s relentless commitment to innovation, customer satisfaction and operational excellence reinforces its position as a global aviation leader.