Delta Airlines (DL)

In 2023, Delta received 3.5 million gallons of sustainable aviation fuel, twice the amount it obtained in 2022. The airline also became a founding member of the Americans for Clean Aviation Fuels organization. Delta is a founding member of the Minnesota SAF Hub, a facility dedicated to blending sustainable aviation fuels (SAF), which supplies it via the existing pipeline to Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport (MSP).

In 2023, Delta Airlines received 43 aircraft, which offer an average improvement of 28% in energy efficiency compared to those retired since 2019. Delta has also invested in acquiring 20 new-generation Airbus A350-1000s, with deliveries scheduled from 2026. Delta Airlines has also undertaken initiatives to improve the efficiency of its fleet by integrating optimised winglets and lightweight landing gear. In 2024 and 2025, the airline will finalise modifications to its Boeing 737-800 fleet.

Delta has established a partnership with Airbus as part of the ZEROe programme, which aims to develop the first commercial hydrogen-powered aircraft. In May 2024, Delta Airlines joined ATL, Airbus, and Plug Power in a study on the use of hydrogen fuel. Delta has partnered with Boeing and NASA as part of the Sustainable Flight Demonstrator programme, which seeks to explore the development of a transonic truss-braced wing, aiming to increase the energy efficiency of its aircraft. Finally, the airline created the Delta Sustainable Skies Lab in 2023, a dedicated innovation space for research, design, and testing to accelerate progress in the aviation industry and achieve its net-zero emissions commitment by 2050.

The airline regularly purchases carbon credits to offset its CO2 emissions, such as in 2018 when it bought 30,000 credits.
Additionally, Delta allows its customers to offset their carbon footprint through the LEAF (Lowering Emissions by Accelerating Forest Finance) programme by making a donation that will contribute to eco-friendly projects like reforestation and support for local sustainable agriculture in Kenya.

In 2021/2022, Delta played a major role in integrating EoR, a more modern and efficient approach system that optimizes short landing approaches for aircraft at Los Angeles International Airport. This reduces approach time by an average of 5 min and, consequently, fuel consumption during this phase. In 2023, Delta Airlines introduced a real-time flight data analysis tool called FlightPulse. This tool allows pilots to identify risks more effectively, make adjustments during the flight, and save fuel by following routes optimized in real time. The airline succeeded in electrifying 31% of its ground service equipment (GSE) by deploying 1,647 electric units since 2020.

On board, the airline has introduced new paper cups, contributing to its eco-friendly approach. These efforts, which include optimising certain flight routes, reducing aircraft weight, and improving the supply of drinking water on board, have saved a total of 21 million gallons of fuel in 2023.