How Delta Cargo helps Valentine’s Day bloom around the world

Every February, love takes flight—literally. As millions prepare to express their affection with bouquets big and small, Delta Cargo plays a behind-the-scenes role in ensuring Valentine’s Day blossoms on time. From South America’s fertile flower farms to homes and shops around the world, Delta’s global network helps transport the millions of roses, carnations and other blooms that define the season. 

From the Andes through Atlanta: The heart of flower season 

Two key routes make Delta a vital connector during the leadup to Valentine’s Day: 

• Bogotá-Atlanta (BOG-ATL) 

• Quito-Atlanta (UIO-ATL) 

Colombia and Ecuador are world leaders in flower production, especially when it comes to Valentine’s favorites such as roses and carnations. Delta’s service from Bogotá and Quito link growers not only directly to the United States, but also across the globe to places like South Korea, Italy, and France helping ensure flowers arrive fresh, chilled and valentine’s ready across Delta’s global network. 

A seasonal surge in the cargo hold 

January and February mark the peak of global flower shipping, and Delta Cargo teams prepare months in advance for the seasonal surge. 

• Every year, Delta Cargo carries hundreds of tons of flowers in the weeks leading up to Valentine’s Day. This year, thanks to wide body fleet upgrades, Delta will have even more capacity to help share even more love throughout its global network. 

• Shipments from Colombia and Ecuador dominate the season, followed by major connections from the United States (Florida and California) and the Netherlands. 

For fresh flowers, Delta’s operational reliability is essential. Growers and importers depend on consistent, on-time performance to ensure their product reaches market in pristine condition. Behind every shipment is careful coordination—temperature-controlled handling, time-sensitive transfers and dedicated cargo specialists who understand the importance of moving perishables quickly and safely. Powered by Delta Cargo’s Specialized Fresh product, flowers move through state-of-the-art cold chain facilities including two dedicated Specialized Fresh chambers in Delta’s cooler facility in Atlanta. Take a look:  Delta Air Lines - Cooler Storage Facility - Atlanta, GA 

Delivering Love, One Bloom at a Time 

Once flowers arrive in Atlanta, many continue onward to markets and floral distributors across the U.S. and the globe. From Miami to Los Angeles to London, Paris and everywhere in between, Delta’s global network ensures flower shops, grocery chains and local florists have what they need to meet Valentine’s demand. 

Whether it’s a single rose or a dozen, every bouquet holds a story -- and Delta is proud to help those stories reach the people who matter most.