Delta Air Lines is taking significant strides towards a greener future for air travel. Unveiling a comprehensive roadmap, Delta has committed to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050, signaling a profound shift towards sustainable aviation. This ambitious strategy, deeply embedded in the core values of the company, prioritizes both planetary health and business imperatives, resonating with the growing global demand for environmentally conscious travel options.
Pam Fletcher, Delta’s Chief Sustainability Officer, spearheaded the initiative, communicating the strategy to Delta’s extensive workforce. The plan rests on two fundamental pillars: weaving sustainability into every facet of Delta’s operations and aggressively minimizing the climate impact stemming from air travel itself. This dual approach underscores Delta’s commitment to both immediate, actionable steps and long-term, transformative solutions in the realm of Delta Travel Net sustainability.
In her address to employees, Fletcher emphasized Delta’s proven ability to tackle complex challenges, stating, “Delta people are known for doing difficult things well. As we reshape the fundamentals of aviation, we are as dedicated to making immediate progress as we are to investing wisely in disruptive solutions.” This sentiment encapsulates the proactive and determined spirit driving Delta’s sustainability journey.
Embedding Sustainability Across Delta’s Operations
Delta’s near-term sustainability objectives are focused on tangible improvements within its daily operations. This involves a multi-pronged approach, starting with reducing reliance on fossil fuels and transitioning to Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), which is critical as jet fuel combustion accounts for the vast majority of an airline’s carbon footprint. However, the strategy extends beyond fuel, encompassing waste reduction, ground operations, and supply chain engagement.
A key area of focus is minimizing single-use plastics. Delta has already made significant progress, and is setting targets to further reduce and eventually eliminate these plastics onboard. Electrifying ground service equipment (GSE) is another crucial step, with notable advancements already achieved at airports like Boston Logan International Airport (BOS) and Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC). Furthermore, Delta is actively engaging its vendors, encouraging them to adopt their own sustainability plans, thereby expanding the reach of its environmental commitment across its entire value chain and strengthening the delta travel net of sustainable practices.
Fletcher, drawing upon her extensive experience in the transportation sector, emphasizes that Delta’s sustainability strategy is not just aspirational but grounded in science-based targets and measurable metrics. This commitment to accountability and transparency is paramount as Delta navigates the complex path towards net-zero emissions. The company has set ambitious goals for 2050, coupled with interim milestones to track progress and ensure consistent momentum.
“We’ve already achieved significant results, like reducing single-use onboard plastics by nearly five million pounds annually and saving 10 million gallons of fuel last year thanks to the work of Delta’s Carbon Council,” Fletcher highlighted. “Our foundation is strong. Now we accelerate.” This proactive approach demonstrates Delta’s dedication to building a robust delta travel net for sustainable travel.
Sustainability in Action: Key Milestones
Delta’s commitment to embedding sustainability into its operations is clearly illustrated through concrete targets across key areas:
Waste Reduction:
| As of 2022 | 2025 | 2035 | 2050 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eliminated 4.9M pounds of single-use plastics | Minimize single-use plastics onboard | 65% waste diversion from landfill* | 100% waste diversion from landfill* |
*Relating to our customer onboard and in-airport travel experience; other airline operations (e.g., maintenance) are excluded.
Sustainable Supply Chain:
| As of 2022 | 2025 | 2030 | 2050 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 50+% of largest vendors in EcoVadis | 100% of preferred vendors on carbon tracking system | 100% of preferred vendors w/ net-zero plans | 100% net-zero supply chain |
Ground Operations & Facilities:
Delta is making significant investments in ground operations and facilities to reduce their environmental footprint. Electric ground equipment is being deployed across airports, with leading examples at Boston Logan and Salt Lake City. Furthermore, sustainable design principles, such as LEED standards, are being incorporated into facility transformations, and more sustainable supplies are being sourced for offices and airport facilities, reinforcing the delta travel net of environmentally conscious operations.
| As of 2022 | 2025 | 2035 | 2050 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25% GSE electrified; Nearly 100% electric baggage tractors and belt loaders in BOS & SLC | 50% GSE** electrified; 5 hubs at 100% core fleet* | 100% GSE** electrified at hubs and renewable energy powered operations | 100% net-zero operations |
*Core fleet consists of baggage tractors, belt loaders and aircraft tow tractors**All eligible core & critical fleets necessary to turn an aircraft
The Future of Flying: Decarbonizing Air Travel
While acknowledging the role of carbon offsets in the past, Delta’s forward-looking sustainability vision prioritizes direct decarbonization of the aviation industry. This long-term strategy centers on eliminating the climate impact of flying through strategic investments in clean fuel, operational efficiency, and revolutionary aircraft technologies. This comprehensive approach aims to strengthen the delta travel net of sustainable air travel for future generations.
Operational Efficiency:
Delta’s Carbon Council has already achieved significant fuel savings through operational improvements. The airline is committed to further enhancing efficiency through initiatives like flight optimization and contrail reduction, in collaboration with MIT.
| As of 2022 | 2025 | 2035 | 2050 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carbon Council actions saved 10M+ gallons of fuel; launched MIT contrails collaboration | 45M gal or 1% fuel burn savings† from operational improvements | 3% operational fuel savings†, worth 1.1B cumulative gal vs. 2019; 80% reduction of addressable warming contrails* | 5% operational fuel savings†; 100% reduction in addressable warming contrails* |
*Subject to successful completion of MIT contrails study, and provided that contrail avoidance can be done in a way that is consistent with Delta’s ops, economic and environmental objectives†Compared to 2019
Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF):
Recognizing SAF as the most promising near-term solution for decarbonization, Delta is actively working to stimulate market growth. Despite current supply limitations, SAF offers a viable pathway to reduce aviation’s carbon footprint using existing infrastructure and aircraft technology. Delta is committed to increasing SAF usage significantly over the coming decades, advocating for policies and investments to scale up production and availability, thereby expanding the delta travel net of sustainable fuel options.
| As of 2022 | 2030 | 2035 | 2050 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Committed to 200M gallons of SAF offtakes; approximately 50 corporate customer SAF agreements signed | 10% SAF usage by end of 2030 | 35% SAF usage | 95+% SAF |
Revolutionary Aircraft Technology:
Looking further into the future, Delta is exploring transformative aircraft technologies, including hydrogen propulsion through a partnership with Airbus ZEROe. Significant advancements in fuel efficiency are also targeted through collaborations with technology innovators and the eventual integration of revolutionary aircraft designs into its fleet. This forward-thinking approach is crucial to building a truly sustainable delta travel net for the long term.
| As of 2022 | 2025 | 2035 | 2050 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Partnership with Airbus ZEROe to explore hydrogen propulsion | 10+% fuel efficiency gains†; 5 partnerships with revolutionary tech players | 20+% fuel efficiency gains†; First operation of mainline revolutionary tech | 40+% fuel efficiency gains†; 25% of fleet made up of revolutionary aircraft |
†Compared to 2019
Fletcher emphasized that achieving these ambitious goals requires collective effort, stating, “The magnitude of this challenge means that no single company can do it alone. It will take Delta people, partners, industry stakeholders, regulators and others working together to advance environmentally friendly programs and services — all while elevating the travel experience.” The Delta Sustainable Skies Lab will serve as a hub for collaboration and innovation, showcasing progress and inspiring future generations to contribute to a more sustainable aviation sector and a stronger delta travel net for global connectivity.
“I am excited about our journey ahead,” Fletcher concluded. “There’s no better team on the planet to drive the more sustainable future of flying.”
Disclaimer: Forward-looking statements regarding expectations and goals are subject to risks and uncertainties as detailed in Delta’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
