Delta Air Lines facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Delta Air Lines, Inc.

A Delta Air Lines Airbus A350
Founded	March 2, 1925; 100 years ago (1925-03-02) as Huff Daland Dusters, Inc. December 3, 1928; 96 years ago (1928-12-03) as Delta Air Service
Commenced operations	June 17, 1929; 96 years ago (1929-06-17)
AOC #	DALA026A
Hubs	Atlanta Boston Detroit Los Angeles Minneapolis/St. Paul New York–JFK New York–LaGuardia Salt Lake City Seattle/Tacoma
Focus cities	Austin Raleigh/Durham
Frequent-flyer program	SkyMiles
Alliance	SkyTeam SkyTeam Cargo
Subsidiaries	Aeroméxico (20%) Air France–KLM (3%) China Eastern Airlines (3%) Endeavor Air Hanjin (15%) LATAM Airlines (10%) Virgin Atlantic (49%) WestJet (15%) Wheels Up (21%) Clear Secure (5%) Delta TechOps Trainer Refinery Unifi Aviation (49%)
Fleet size	987
Destinations	311
Headquarters	Atlanta, Georgia, United States
Key people	Ed Bastian (CEO) David Taylor (chairman) Glen Hauenstein (president)
Revenue	US$61.6 billion (2024)
Operating income	US$6.0 billion (2024)
Net income	US$3.5 billion (2024)
Total assets	US$75.4 billion (2024)
Total equity	US$15.3 billion (2024)
Employees	103,000 (2023)

Delta Air Lines, Inc. is a major airline in the United States. Its main office is in Atlanta, Georgia. Delta has nine main bases, called hubs, with Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport in Atlanta being the biggest.

Delta and its smaller partner airlines, known as Delta Connection, fly over 5,400 flights every day. They reach 325 places in 52 countries across six continents. Delta is also a founding member of SkyTeam, a group of airlines that work together to offer more flights around the world. It is the second-oldest airline in the U.S. that still flies passengers.

Delta is known for having the most money earned and the highest brand value among the world's largest airlines. It is also second in the number of passengers carried and the size of its fleet (all its planes). Delta has been ranked as a top airline by The Wall Street Journal for several years and won awards from Condé Nast Traveler.

Delta's Journey: How It Started

Early Flights and Growth

Delta Air Lines began on March 2, 1925, as a company called Huff Daland Dusters, Inc.. This company was the first in the world to use planes to spray crops. They started in Macon, Georgia, and then moved to Monroe, Louisiana. Their planes, called Huff-Daland Dusters, helped farmers fight tiny bugs called boll weevils that harmed cotton crops.

C.E. Woolman, who later became Delta's first CEO, led a group of local people to buy the crop-dusting company. On December 3, 1928, they started a new company called Delta Air Service, named after the Mississippi Delta region.

Passenger flights began on June 17, 1929. The first route went from Dallas, Texas, to Jackson, Mississippi, with stops in Shreveport and Monroe, Louisiana. By June 1930, they were flying as far east as Atlanta and as far west as Fort Worth, Texas. However, passenger service stopped in October 1930 because another airline won the contract to carry mail on that route.

But Delta didn't give up! In 1934, Delta Air Corporation got a contract to carry airmail. They started flying as Delta Air Lines on Mail Route 24, which went from Fort Worth, Texas, to Charleston, South Carolina. In 1941, Delta moved its main office from Monroe, Louisiana, to its current home in Atlanta. The company officially became Delta Air Lines in 1945.

Big Steps in Flying

In 1946, Delta started regularly scheduled cargo flights. In 1949, they offered the first discounted plane tickets between Chicago and Miami. Delta started its first international flights in 1953 after buying another airline called Chicago and Southern Air Lines.

Delta was a leader in using new planes. In 1959, it was the first airline to fly the Douglas DC-8. In 1960, it was the first to fly Convair 880 jets. Delta also used computers early on, launching its Deltamatic reservation system in 1964. In 1965, it was the first airline to fly the McDonnell Douglas DC-9.

Growing Bigger with Other Airlines

By 1970, all of Delta's planes were jets. In 1972, Delta bought Northeast Airlines. In 1978, Delta started flying across the Atlantic Ocean with direct flights from Atlanta to London.

Delta launched its frequent-flyer program in 1981, which lets passengers earn points for flying. In 1987, Delta bought Western Airlines and also started flying across the Pacific Ocean to Tokyo. In 1990, Delta was the first U.S. airline to fly McDonnell Douglas MD-11 jets. In 1991, Delta took over many of Pan Am's routes across the Atlantic, making Delta a top airline for flights to Europe.

In 1997, Delta was the first airline to carry more than 100 million passengers in one year. That same year, Delta also started flying to more places in Latin America.

Challenges and New Beginnings

On September 14, 2005, Delta had to file for bankruptcy because fuel costs were very high. But they worked hard to fix things and came out of bankruptcy in April 2007. Their shares were then listed on the New York Stock Exchange again.

Joining Forces with Northwest Airlines

Delta announced it would buy Northwest Airlines on April 14, 2008. The deal was approved on October 29, 2008. Northwest continued to operate as a part of Delta until December 31, 2009, when their flight operations officially merged. By January 31, 2010, Northwest Airlines' brand was officially retired, and everything was combined under the Delta name.

Where Delta Flies

Delta and its partner airlines fly to over 15,000 places every day. In the summer of 2024, Delta had 893 daily flights from its main hub in Atlanta. As of December 31, 2021, Delta's main planes fly to 242 destinations in 52 countries across six continents.

Destinations Around the World

As of May 2025, Delta Air Lines flies to many places. This list does not include places served by Delta's regional partner, Delta Connection.

Delta's Main Hubs

Delta has nine main hubs, which are like busy central stations for their flights:

• Atlanta: This is Delta's biggest hub. It's the main gateway for flights to Latin America and the Caribbean. Delta's main office and maintenance base are also here.
• Boston: This hub is important for flights across the Atlantic Ocean to Europe and also to places in North America.
• Detroit: One of Delta's two hubs in the Midwest. It's a key airport for flights to Asia from the Eastern United States, and also serves many places in the Americas and Europe.
• Los Angeles: This is a major hub on the West Coast. It offers flights to Latin America, Asia, Australia, Europe, and many big cities in the U.S.
• Minneapolis/St. Paul: This is another Midwest hub. It's the main airport for flights to Canada and also serves many U.S. cities, including smaller ones in the upper Midwest, and some flights to Europe and Asia.
• New York–JFK: This is Delta's main hub for flights across the Atlantic to Europe. It also has special "prestige routes" to Los Angeles and San Francisco.
• New York–LaGuardia: This is New York's second Delta hub. It mainly serves many cities on the East Coast of the U.S. and some regional places in the U.S. and Canada.
• Salt Lake City: This hub serves the Rocky Mountain region of the United States. It connects to most major U.S. cities, many regional places in the Rocky Mountains, and some cities in Canada, Mexico, Europe, Hawaii, and Asia.
• Seattle/Tacoma: This is Delta's main hub on the West Coast. It's an important gateway for international flights to Asia from the Western United States. It also serves many major U.S. cities and regional places in the Pacific Northwest.

Delta Connection: Regional Flights

Delta Connection is the brand name for Delta's regional flights. These flights are operated by smaller airlines that partner with Delta. They help connect passengers from smaller cities to Delta's main hubs, making it easier to travel to more places.

Working with Other Airlines

Delta is a member of the SkyTeam alliance, which is a group of airlines that work together. Delta also has special agreements, called codeshare agreements, with many other airlines. This means you can book a flight with Delta, but actually fly on a partner airline's plane. This helps Delta offer more destinations around the world.

Delta's Fleet of Aircraft

Delta has a large fleet of planes, including many different types of aircraft. You can find more details about the specific planes Delta uses in the Delta Air Lines fleet article.

Inside Delta's Planes: Cabin Classes

In 2015, Delta updated its cabin classes to offer different experiences for passengers. The features might vary depending on your flight and the type of plane.

Delta One

Delta One Suite

Delta One is Delta's best business class. It's available on long international flights and on special cross-country flights within the U.S., like from New York–Kennedy to Los Angeles and San Francisco.

Delta One seats can lie completely flat, like a bed. Most also offer direct access to the aisle from every seat, giving you more privacy. These seats have personal entertainment screens, power outlets, reading lights, and a folding table. Passengers in Delta One also get meals, drinks, a comfort kit, bedding, and access to special airport lounges before their flight.

In 2016, Delta introduced Delta One Suites on some of its larger planes. These suites have a door for even more privacy, more storage, and bigger entertainment screens. They are found on the Airbus A350 and Airbus A330-900 planes. Some Boeing 767-400ER planes also have similar seats with increased privacy, though without a door due to the plane's design.

First Class

Delta First class on an Airbus A220

First Class is offered on most domestic flights and some shorter international flights. These seats are wider and have more legroom than other classes. Passengers get a wider choice of free snacks, free drinks (including alcohol), and full meal service on flights longer than 900 miles (about 1,450 km). Some planes also have power outlets and free entertainment. First Class passengers also get to board the plane first.

Premium Select

Delta Premium Select on an Airbus A350-900

In 2016, Delta announced a new cabin class called Premium Select. This class offers more legroom, adjustable leg rests, wider seats, and more recline than regular economy seats. It also comes with a special premium service. Premium Select was first introduced on the new Airbus A350 planes in 2017. It is also available on the Airbus A330-900 and is being added to many Boeing 767-300ER and older Airbus A330 aircraft.

Delta Comfort+

Delta Comfort+ on an Airbus A321

Delta Comfort+ seats are on all Delta planes. They offer more legroom and more recline than standard Main Cabin seats. Passengers in Comfort+ get priority boarding, dedicated space for their bags above their seats, free beer, wine, and spirits on flights over 250 miles (about 400 km), and free premium snacks on flights over 900 miles (about 1,450 km). Free entertainment is available, and headsets are provided on most flights.

Main Cabin

Main Cabin on an Airbus A350-900

Main Cabin is the standard Economy Class, available on all Delta planes. Seats are between 17 and 18.6 inches (43 to 47 cm) wide and have 30 to 33 inches (76 to 84 cm) of legroom.

Main Cabin passengers get free snacks and non-alcoholic drinks on all flights 250 miles (about 400 km) or longer. Alcoholic drinks can be bought. On long international flights and some special cross-country domestic flights (like New York–JFK to Seattle, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and San Diego), free meals and alcoholic drinks are provided.

Basic Economy

Basic Economy is a simpler version of Main Cabin. It offers the same services but with fewer options for changing your ticket and no upgrades, even if you fly often. Your seat is assigned when you check in. As of December 2021, Basic Economy travelers do not earn miles for free travel or points towards elite status.

Delta's Reward Programs

SkyMiles: Earn Rewards for Flying

SkyMiles is Delta Air Lines' program for frequent flyers. When you fly with Delta, you can earn miles that don't expire. These miles can be used for free flights and other rewards.

In 2025, Delta added new benefits for SkyMiles members, including free Wi-Fi on most domestic flights, improved Delta Sky Club lounges, and new food options.

Delta Sky Club: Airport Lounges

A Sky Club in Concourse B at Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport

Delta Sky Club is the name for Delta's special airport lounges. You can become a member by buying an annual pass with money or miles. Passengers flying in Delta One class on international flights get free access. Some top-level Delta members or American Express cardholders can also get in for free.

In February 2024, Delta announced new, more exclusive Sky Club lounges for travelers who spend a lot. The first of these opened at New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport, with others planned for Boston and Los Angeles International Airport. These lounges offer special features like wellness areas and unique dining experiences.

SkyBonus: For Businesses

SkyBonus is a program for small to medium-sized businesses that spend between $5,000 and $500,000 on air travel each year. Businesses can earn points for free travel, upgrades, Sky Club memberships, and special status for their employees. Even when a business earns points, the person flying can still earn their own SkyMiles.

Delta's Operations

Headquarters and Offices

Delta Air Lines headquarters in Atlanta

Delta's main office is in Atlanta, Georgia, right next to Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport. This has been Delta's headquarters since 1941. The airport is also home to Delta TechOps, which is Delta's main center for maintaining and repairing its planes.

Delta also has a large presence in the Twin Cities (Minneapolis/St. Paul), with many employees and important corporate offices there, including its information technology division.

Delta's Look: Logo and Plane Paint

Tails of two Airbus A330s with the airline's "widget" logo

Delta's logo, often called the "widget," was first used in 1959. Its triangle shape comes from the Greek letter delta, and it reminds people of the airline's early days flying in the Mississippi Delta region. It also looks a bit like the swept-back wings of the DC-8, which was Delta's first jet plane.

A Boeing 757 painted in the current livery, "Upward & Onward"

Delta's current paint design on its planes is called "Upward & Onward." It has a white body with the company's name in blue letters and the "widget" logo on the tail. Delta started using this design in 2007 after it came out of bankruptcy. This new design uses fewer colors than the old one, which saves the airline money because it takes less time to paint each plane.

Protecting the Environment

In 2008, Delta Air Lines received an award for using a special product called PreKote. This product is better for the environment because it replaces harmful chemicals used to help paint stick to planes and prevent rust. PreKote also helps save water and reduces wastewater.

Using PreKote also saves money by making the painting process faster. This saves Delta over $1 million each year.

Delta has been working to reduce its carbon footprint (the amount of greenhouse gases it releases). While it used to buy carbon offsets (which are like paying to reduce emissions elsewhere), it has been focusing more on reducing emissions directly from its own flights since early 2022.

On-Time Flights

In 2023, Delta flights arrived on time 84.72% of the time. This was better than the average for North American airlines, which was 74.45%. Delta also completed 98.82% of its planned flights.

Awards and Recognition

On June 24, 2024, Skytrax voted Delta Air Lines the Best Airline in North America and for having the Best Airline Staff Service in North America.

Accidents and Incidents

For information about past accidents and incidents involving Delta's main planes, you can refer to the List of Delta Air Lines accidents and incidents. For incidents involving Northwest Airlines before it merged with Delta, see Northwest Airlines accidents and incidents. For incidents involving Delta Connection flights, see Delta Connection incidents and accidents.

Over the years, there have been 14 fatal accidents involving Delta planes where at least one person died. In total, 299 passengers and crew died in these accidents. Additionally, 11 people died in two other collision accidents, and 16 people on the ground died in four accidents.

See also

In Spanish: Delta Air Lines para niños

• Air transportation in the United States
• Delta Flight Museum
• List of airlines of the United States
• List of airports in the United States