What Delta does in Vegas doesn’t stay in Vegas…
January 9, 2025
Lenny Kravitz, Viola Davis, a groundbreaking partnership with Airbus and game-changing innovations… Delta Air Lines has been hitting headlines this week following its spectacular 100th anniversary celebrations in Las Vegas.
Drawing a crowd of thousands to its fully immersive flight journey, Delta ushered in its centenary celebrations during the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2025 on 7 January at the Sphere in Las Vegas. The scene was set for attendees as soon as they arrived at the Sphere and were treated to its exterior – the Exosphere – showing 360-degree, vibrant worlds representing the airline’s global network. Attendees were then able to explore an interactive, pre-show exhibit celebrating Delta’s 100-year history.
“Amid the wonder of new technology, we’ve always understood the entire point of innovation is to lift people up,” declared Delta CEO, Ed Bastian, as he delivered a first-of-its-kind keynote.
He referenced “new marvels, such as AI, the digital revolution and sustainable technology which are giving us incredible tools to transform the travel experience.”
Fly away
As well as a keynote from award-winning actress Viola Davis and performance from music icon Lenny Kravitz, Bastian was joined on stage by Delta staff and other industry leaders to showcase the new technology and partnerships that will be part of Delta’s next 100 years.
“These are the history-makers, the innovators and the champions of human connection. They define what we’re all about. We feel their contributions reverberate through our past and into the future,” he told the crowd.
Attention then turned to Delta’s “game-changing innovations” which include an AI-powered assistant built into its Fly Delta app. The digital tool will enable passengers to interact using voice or text to receive notifications, advice and guidance. Delta Concierge, as the AI assistant is called, is hailed by the airline as making the customer’s journey easier – “almost like a personal assistant.”
IFE collaboration with YouTube
The airline also announced an exciting partnership with YouTube as Bastian revealed that SkyMiles Members will soon enjoy their favourite creators, podcasts and music artists ad-free while on board most flights with Delta Sync Wi-Fi and Delta Sync seatback. Powered by Thales’ FlytEDGE solution, the Delta Sync seatback experience is the first cloud-native IFE system. Passengers will also benefit from an updated in-flight entertainment system with 4K HDR displays and Bluetooth connectivity.
Outlining the multi-modal future of travel, Bastian pointed to a new partnership with Uber, whereby customers will be able to link their Uber and SkyMiles accounts, earning miles for eligible rides and deliveries. Delta will also connect with Joby’s electric air taxi service, which Bastian believes will be flying in the next couple of years.
Declaring that 80 per cent of the world’s population has never experienced air travel, Bastian also unveiled the airline’s plans to increase access to travel. “We live in a divided world. Our job isn’t to transport people, it’s to bring them together,” he said as he announced the airline’s partnership with Airbus through its UpNext programme, which will see the aircraft manufacturer and its largest Airbus operator collaborate on next-generation aviation technologies to revolutionise the future of flying.
UpNext with Airbus
Bastian was joined by chief sustainability officer and communications at Airbus, Julie Kitcher, to discuss the steps both companies are taking together. A network of innovation labs will see Delta and Airbus collaborating on technology solutions including wing performance, fuel efficiency, superconductivity and advanced aircraft assistance, to shape a more connected, lower carbon future.
Delta also plans to test a new fuel-efficient flying technique pioneered by Airbus called “fello’fly,” which takes inspiration from the V-formation of migrating geese to demonstrate the technical and operational viability of two aircraft flying close together during a long-haul flight. According to Airbus the fello’fly technique safely positions and pairs aircraft, allowing the “follower” aircraft to benefit from “free lift, resulting in less engine thrust and reduced fuel consumption.”
Delta hopes to test the technique later this year, while some of the new technology showcased during CES 2025 will arrive in the coming months. In the meantime the airline’s celebrations continue with its 2024 financial results to be announced on 10 January.
