Delta Air Lines facts for kids
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| Founded | March 2, 1925, as Huff Daland Dusters in Macon, Georgia |
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| Commenced operations | June 17, 1929 |
| AOC # | DALA026A |
| Hubs | |
| Focus cities |
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| Frequent-flyer program | SkyMiles |
| Alliance | SkyTeam/SkyTeam Cargo |
| Subsidiaries |
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| Fleet size | 990 |
| Destinations | 311 |
| Headquarters | Atlanta, Georgia, United States |
| Key people | |
| Revenue |  US$58.05 billion (2023) |
| Operating income | US$5.521 billion (2023) |
| Net income | US$4.609 billion (2023) |
| Total assets | US$73.64 billion (2023) |
| Total equity | US$11.11 billion (2023) |
| Employees | 103,000 (2023) |
Delta Air Lines is a big airline in the United States. Its main office is in Atlanta, Georgia. It's the oldest airline still flying in the U.S. and the seventh oldest in the world! Delta, along with its smaller partner airlines, flies over 5,400 times every day. They reach 325 places in 52 countries across six continents. Delta is also a founding member of the SkyTeam airline group. By the end of 2022, about 90,000 people worked for Delta.
Delta has nine main airports it uses as "hubs." Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport is its biggest hub. It's ranked second globally for the number of passengers carried and the size of its airplane fleet. Delta is also first in revenue among privately owned airlines.
Contents
Delta Air Lines: A Brief History
How Delta Started
Delta Air Lines began as a company called Huff Daland Dusters, Inc. This company was the world's first to spray crops from airplanes. It started on March 2, 1925, in Macon, Georgia. Later that year, it moved to Monroe, Louisiana. The company used a special plane called the Huff-Daland Duster. This plane was designed to fight the boll weevil, a bug that harmed cotton crops.
C.E. Woolman was the general manager and later Delta's first CEO. He led a group of local investors to buy the company. On December 3, 1928, they formed Delta Air Service. It was named after the Mississippi Delta region.
First Passenger Flights
Delta started flying passengers on June 17, 1929. The first route went from Dallas, Texas, to Jackson, Mississippi. It made stops in Shreveport and Monroe, Louisiana. By June 1930, flights reached Atlanta in the east and Fort Worth, Texas in the west.
Passenger service stopped in October 1930. Another airline won the contract for airmail on Delta's route. This airline bought Delta Air Service's planes and other items. But C.E. Woolman and other investors bought back the crop-dusting parts of the company. They started a new company called Delta Air Corporation on December 31, 1930.
Growing and Modernizing
In 1934, Delta Air Corporation won an airmail contract. They began flying as Delta Air Lines on Mail Route 24. This route went from Fort Worth, Texas, to Charleston, South Carolina. In 1941, Delta moved its main office from Monroe, Louisiana, to Atlanta. The company officially became Delta Air Lines in 1945.
- In 1946, Delta started regular cargo flights.
- In 1949, they offered the first discounted plane tickets between Chicago and Miami.
- In 1953, Delta started its first international flights. This happened after they bought Chicago and Southern Air Lines.
- In 1959, Delta was the first airline to fly the Douglas DC-8 jet.
- In 1960, they were also the first to fly Convair 880 jets.
- In 1964, Delta launched its Deltamatic reservation system. This system used IBM 7070 computers.
- In 1965, Delta was the first airline to fly the McDonnell Douglas DC-9.
Expanding and Buying Other Airlines
By 1970, all of Delta's planes were jets. In 1972, they bought Northeast Airlines. Delta began flying across the Atlantic Ocean in 1978. Their first nonstop flight went from Atlanta to London. In 1981, Delta started its frequent-flyer program. This program rewards people who fly often.
- In 1987, Delta bought Western Airlines. That same year, they started flying across the Pacific Ocean.
- In 1990, Delta was the first U.S. airline to fly McDonnell Douglas MD-11 jets.
- In 1991, they bought most of Pan Am's routes across the Atlantic. Delta became the leading airline for flights across the Atlantic.
In 1997, Delta was the first airline to carry over 100 million passengers in one year. They also started adding more international routes to Latin America. In 2003, the company launched Song, a low-cost airline.
Bankruptcy and Recovery (2005–2007)
On September 14, 2005, Delta had to file for bankruptcy. This was because fuel costs were very high. They came out of bankruptcy in April 2007. They also stopped a plan by US Airways to take over the company. Delta's shares were then listed again on the New York Stock Exchange.
Joining with Northwest Airlines (2008–2010)
Delta announced it would buy Northwest Airlines on April 14, 2008. The deal was approved on October 29, 2008. Northwest continued to fly as a part of Delta until December 31, 2009. On January 31, 2010, Delta fully combined with Northwest. Northwest's brand was officially retired.
Where Delta Flies
Destinations
Delta and its partner airlines fly over 15,000 times each day. Delta is the only U.S. airline that flies to Dakar in Senegal and Copenhagen in Denmark. Delta and United Airlines are the only two U.S. airlines that fly to Stockholm in Sweden.
In March 2020, Delta stopped all flights to mainland Europe for 30 days. They also cut 40% of their flight capacity.
Hub Airports
Delta currently has nine main hub airports:
- Atlanta – This is Delta's largest hub. It serves the Southern and Eastern U.S. It's also the main gateway to Latin America and the Caribbean. Delta's main office and maintenance base (Delta TechOps) are here.
- Boston – This is Delta's second hub for flights across the Atlantic. It offers flights to Europe and North America.
- Detroit – One of Delta's two Midwest hubs. It's the main gateway to Asia for the Eastern U.S. It also has flights to many places in the Americas and Europe. This used to be a Northwest Airlines hub.
- Los Angeles – Delta's second hub for the West Coast. It offers flights to Latin America, Asia, Australia, Europe, and major U.S. cities. Delta is the largest airline at LAX.
- Minneapolis/St. Paul – One of Delta's two Midwest hubs. It's the main gateway to Canada for the airline. It also serves many U.S. cities and some places in Europe and Asia. This also used to be a Northwest Airlines hub.
- New York–JFK – Delta's main hub for flights across the Atlantic. It also has special "prestige routes" to Los Angeles and San Francisco.
- New York–LaGuardia – Delta's second New York hub. Flights from LaGuardia go to many East Coast U.S. cities and some places in the U.S. and Canada.
- Salt Lake City – Delta's hub for the Rocky Mountain region of the U.S. It serves most major U.S. cities, places in the Rocky Mountains, and some cities in Canada, Mexico, and Hawaii.
- Seattle/Tacoma – Delta's main West Coast hub. It's an international gateway to Asia for the Western U.S. It also serves many major U.S. cities and places in the Pacific Northwest.
Airline Partnerships
Delta is a member of the SkyTeam alliance. It also has agreements with other airlines to share flights. This means you can book a flight with Delta, but fly on a partner airline's plane.
- Aerolíneas Argentinas
- Aeroméxico
- Air Europa
- Air France
- airBaltic
- China Airlines
- China Eastern Airlines
- Czech Airlines
- El Al
- Garuda Indonesia
- Hawaiian Airlines
- ITA Airways
- Kenya Airways
- KLM
- Korean Air
- LATAM Airlines
- Rex Airlines
- Seaborne Airlines
- Sky Express
- Transavia
- Vietnam Airlines
- Virgin Atlantic
- WestJet
Delta's Airplanes
Inside the Plane: Cabin Classes
In 2015, Delta updated the way its cabins are branded. What you get depends on your flight route and the type of plane.
- Delta One
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Delta One is Delta's best business class service. It's on long international flights and special transcontinental flights. These flights go from New York–Kennedy to Los Angeles and San Francisco.
Delta One seats can lie completely flat. Most also offer direct access to the aisle. These seats have a personal entertainment system, power outlets, and a reading light. Passengers also get meals, drinks, a comfort kit, and bedding. They can also use the Delta Sky Club lounge before their flight.
In 2016, Delta added Delta One Suites to some larger planes. These suites have a door for more privacy. They also have more storage and bigger entertainment screens. You can find these suites on the Airbus A350 and Airbus A330-900 planes. Some 767-400ER planes also have similar seats without a door.
- Premium Select
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In 2016, Delta announced a new Premium Economy cabin, now called Premium Select. This cabin offers more legroom and adjustable leg rests. Seats are wider and recline more. It also comes with special service. Delta first offered Premium Select on its new Airbus A350 planes in 2017. It's also on the A330-900 and some older 767-300ER and A330 aircraft.
- First Class
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First Class is available on most domestic flights and some shorter international flights. Seats are wider and have more space. First Class passengers get more free snacks, drinks, and full meals on longer flights. They also get to board the plane first. Some planes have power outlets and free entertainment.
- Delta Comfort+
Delta Comfort+ seats are on all Delta planes. They offer more legroom and more recline than standard seats. You also get priority boarding and dedicated overhead space. Free beer, wine, and spirits are offered on longer flights. Premium snacks are also free on flights over 900 miles. You can watch free entertainment with free headsets.
- Main Cabin
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Main Cabin (Economy Class) is available on all planes. Seats are between 17 and 18.6 inches wide. Passengers get free snacks and non-alcoholic drinks on flights over 250 miles. Alcoholic drinks can be bought. Free meals and alcoholic drinks are given on long international flights. They are also on some special domestic flights, like New York to Los Angeles.
- Basic Economy
Basic Economy is a simpler version of Main Cabin. It offers the same services but with fewer options for a lower price. For example, you cannot change your ticket or get upgrades. Your seat is assigned when you check in. Since December 2021, Basic Economy travelers do not earn miles for free travel or elite status.
Reward Programs
SkyMiles
SkyMiles is Delta Air Lines' program for frequent flyers. You earn miles when you fly, which you can use for free travel. Your miles do not expire.
Delta Sky Club
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Delta Sky Club is the name for Delta's airport lounges. You can buy an annual membership with money or miles. International passengers flying in Delta One class get free access. Top-level Delta members or certain American Express cardholders can also get in. As of January 2019, Delta no longer sells single-day passes.
Delta is planning new, more exclusive Sky Club lounges. These will be for travelers who spend a lot of money. The first ones are set to open in New York, Boston, and Los Angeles in 2024. These lounges will offer unique experiences, like wellness areas and special dining options.
SkyBonus
On November 27, 2001, Delta launched SkyBonus. This program is for small to medium-sized businesses. Businesses can earn points for free travel and upgrades. They can also earn Sky Club memberships and elite status for their employees. Even when a business earns points, the person flying still earns their own SkyMiles.
About Delta's Business
Company Information
Delta's main office is in Atlanta, Georgia. It's located near Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport. Delta has been headquartered here since 1941. This location is also home to Delta TechOps. This is Delta's main maintenance and repair center for airplanes. It's the largest full-service airline maintenance center in North America.
Delta also has a large presence in the Twin Cities. Over 12,000 employees work there. The company's information technology offices are also located in Minneapolis.
Company Logo
Delta's logo is often called the "widget." It was first shown in 1959. Its triangle shape comes from the Greek letter delta. This reminds people of the airline's beginnings in the Mississippi Delta region. It also looks like the swept-wing design of the DC-8, Delta's first jet plane.
Delta's current airplane paint design is called "Upward & Onward." It has a white body with the company's name in blue letters. The widget logo is on the tail of the plane. Delta introduced this design in 2007 after leaving bankruptcy. This new design uses fewer colors than the old one. This saves the airline money because painting each plane takes less time.
Caring for the Environment
In 2008, Delta Air Lines received an award from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. This was for using PreKote, a more environmentally friendly product. PreKote helps paint stick to airplanes and prevents rust. It replaces older, more harmful chemicals. PreKote also uses less water and creates less wastewater.
Using PreKote also saves money. It reduces the time needed to paint each airplane by 8 to 10 percent. This saves over $1 million each year.
Delta has been working to reduce its impact on the environment. In 2022, they bought carbon offsets. However, they are now focusing more on reducing emissions from their own flights. In May 2023, Delta faced a lawsuit about its marketing claims. The lawsuit questioned if the company was truly the world's first carbon neutral airline.
Flights on Time
In 2023, Delta flights arrived on time 84.72% of the time. This is better than the North American average of 74.45%. Delta also completed 98.82% of its planned flights.
See also
In Spanish: Delta Air Lines para niños
- Air transportation in the United States
- Delta Flight Museum
- Delta Global Staffing
- Delta Ship 41
- List of airlines of the United States
- List of airports in the United States
- Transportation in the United States
