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Connecting people to a more sustainable future
Setting a bold vision and accelerating our work to deliver sustainable travel experiences and achieve net-zero emissions by 2050 is not only good for communities and our planet, it is a business imperative.
The Sustainable Skies Challenge aims to formulate innovative sustainable aviation solutions among Europe's brightest young minds.
The partners are exploring airport infrastructure and operational requirements to stand up hydrogen operations at the world’s busiest airport.
Delta shares their 2023 Environmental, Social and Governance report, which shows how the global, values-led airline is creating a safer, more equitable workplace that reflects the communities that it serves while advancing a more sustainable future of travel.
This Earth month, we’re sharing how Delta is leading in efforts to bring together diverse stakeholders and coalitions, while advocating with local, state and federal policymakers for the needed incentives to increase SAF production in the U.S.
During Earth Month and beyond, there are a number of ways Delta is making progress on its path to net-zero and bringing the Delta people and customers along on the journey.
Delta climbed the ranks on Fast Company’s Most Innovative Companies list in the travel category, earning accolades for making fast, free Wi-Fi standard in the sky.
Chief Sustainability Officer Amelia DeLuca shares some ways in which Delta is already working toward achieving an overarching environmental sustainability strategy that is designed to be durable for the long term.
From welcoming back Amelia DeLuca to Delta’s Global Sustainability leadership team as CSO to continued initiatives to reduce emissions while spurring SAF production and reducing single-use-plastics on board, Delta continues to be a leader in sustainability in the aviation sector.
Delta will begin its final testing of new paper cups on board transcontinental flights starting in December 2023. This latest sustainability milestone underscores the airline’s commitment to innovation and progress. Pending testing, the new paper cups will be rolled out throughout Delta’s network.
A transformative initiative has taken flight with the formation of Americans for Clean Aviation Fuels, of which Delta is a founding member.
Delta shortlisted for ‘Best Innovation’ and ‘Lowest CO2 Emissions Ground Ops’ awards, and the airline won two categories: “Lowest CO2 Ground Emissions Home Base” for its ground support equipment and “Best Innovation Wildcard” for overall high performance in innovation in 2023 SkyTeam Alliance Sustainable Flight Challenge.
Through the GREATER MSP Partnership, Bank of America, Delta Air Lines, Ecolab and Xcel Energy have established the first large-scale SAF Hub in the U.S. with unparalleled collaboration among key players committed to scaling SAF production to replace conventional jet fuel.
Leader bio
Gail Grimmett leads Delta’s efforts to drive forward innovative, sustainable solutions that will empower the next chapter of aviation, which includes next generation technologies, partnerships with educational institutions and other corporations.
Sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) is the most promising lever known today to accelerate progress toward a net zero future.
Leader bio
During her 17-year career with Delta, DeLuca has held varied leadership positions within the Sustainability, Global Sales, Revenue Management and Network Planning teams.
Effective Aug. 1, Amelia DeLuca will return to Delta’s Global Sustainability team as Chief Sustainability Officer. Delta’s commitment to achieving net zero by 2050 through decarbonizing our airline operations remains a business imperative.
Delta displayed its sustainability strategy in action as part of the second annual SkyTeam Alliance Sustainable Flight Challenge. The challenge tests sustainable solutions as the company works toward net zero emissions by 2050 while delivering elevated, more sustainable travel experiences. These flights showcased the company’s strategy in action from the electric ground support equipment to reducing single-use plastic onboard and actions that reduce emissions.
Delta’s always-on work to advance its purpose is on full display in the airline’s 2022 Environmental, Social and Governance Report. The latest data, insights and examples of how Delta is delivering meaningful progress in Safety, People and Culture, Environmental Sustainability and Community Impact clearly illustrate Delta’s purpose behind its business.
The zero-emission catering truck will be deployed for three months to supply Delta's aircraft at the gate.
Delta will purchase up to 10 million gallons of neat SAF from Shell Aviation over a two-year period for use at its hub at Los Angeles International Airport. This will increase the global airline’s SAF commitments to over 200 million gallons – more than halfway to its goal of SAF comprising 10% of its fuel use annually by end of 2030*, and well on its way to 35% SAF use by 2035.
Ground support equipment at Delta's hubs in Salt Lake City and Boston are nearly entirely powered with electricity, a huge step toward the airline's aspirational goal of a 100% net-zero ground operation around the world.
Delta’s Chief Sustainability Officer Pam Fletcher outlines the company’s bold strategy for achieving net zero-emissions and more sustainable travel by 2050, including scaling the sustainable fuel market, innovating for the fleet of the future, addressing single-use plastics and encouraging net-zero supply chains.
INTERACTIVE | Path to sustainability
The Delta Sustainable Skies Lab, depicted in the vision concept above, will bridge the gap between fledgling ideas and proven innovation by focusing on clean fuel, efficient flying operations, revolutionary fleet concepts and sustainable travel & business practices.
Delta continued building momentum in 2022 on its journey to connect people to a more sustainable future of flying. From welcoming a new CSO and developing innovative partnerships, to advancing sustainable aviation fuel markets and further reducing single-use plastics onboard, work across the global carrier in 2022 has set Delta apart as a sustainability leader in the aviation sector.
Delta is taking another step toward its goal of net-zero emissions by 2050 as it tests novel drag-reduction technology by Aero Design Labs on its 737-800 and 737-900 fleets. By reducing drag, aircraft are more aerodynamic and use less fuel while in flight.
Delta recently received both the Green Partner in Travel Award from the American Society of Travel Advisors as well as the North American Environmental Sustainability Airline/Airline Group of the Year award from the Centre of Aviation.
If successful, this work could drive significant progress quickly in reducing the climate impact of aviation by preventing the creation of persistent contrail formations altogether.
The talents of expert artisans are finding their way to premium and more sustainable amenity kits for Delta One® customers next month, through a partnership with the Mexico-based brand Someone Somewhere.
This announcement is part of Delta’s ongoing commitment to protecting the planet which, since 2005, has resulted in a 9 percent decrease in emissions as Delta works toward its long-term goal of reducing its emissions
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