Sustainability
Delta’s Journey to Carbon Neutral Starts Now
Our commitment to sustainability is about joining arms to create a better world. We are committing $1 billion over the next 10 years on our journey to mitigate all emissions from our global business. The investments will drive innovation, advance clean air travel technologies, accelerate the reduction of carbon emissions and waste, and establish new projects toward a more sustainable future.
"There is no substitute for the power that travel has to connect people, which our world needs today more than ever before. As we connect customers around the globe, it is our responsibility to deliver on our promise to bring people together and ensure the utmost care for our environment."
-- Ed Bastian, CEO of Delta Air Lines
-- Ed Bastian, CEO of Delta Air Lines
Delta is focusing these efforts on carbon reduction, carbon removal, and stakeholder engagement.
From being the first and only U.S. airline to voluntarily cap greenhouse gas emissions at 2012 levels, to adding more than 80 new aircraft in 2019 in an effort to renew our fleet with aircraft that are 25 percent more fuel efficient than the aircraft they are replacing, Delta has undertaken a multi-year effort to achieve more sustainable air travel. As part of our commitment, Delta has partnered with industry innovators to advance the development and production of sustainable aviation fuels.
Changing How We Fly with Tomorrow in Mind
Jet fuel is the No. 1 contributor to our carbon footprint and the chief focus of our efforts to reduce our emissions and manage our environmental impact.
Building a more efficient fleet
We focus on building our fleet to have the longest, most sustainable life possible to make the most of our planet’s resources. Over the past year, we’ve introduced 84 new aircraft – like the state-of-the-art A220 – to our fleet that are 25% more fuel-efficient than the models that are being replaced.
Reducing emissions through Carbon Offsets
Carbon offsets reduce the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere, which lowers greenhouse gas levels – the primary culprit for global warming and climate change. Our carbon offset program directly supports projects like the Conservation Coast, opens in a new window – a 54,000 hectare conservation that provides sustainable livelihoods for local communities.
OFFSET YOUR FLIGHT
Partner with us to offset the environmental impact of your flight by protecting forests and supporting communities.
Alternative fuels, sustainable future
Fuel efficiency and carbon-neutral growth alone are not enough to address the risks of global climate change. To help take the next step, we’re using biofuels and carbon offsets to take 20 carbon-neutral delivery flights of the A321 aircraft.
Addressing Climate Change
fuel-efficient aircraft
With purchase commitments for 168 new, fuel-efficient aircraft over the next 2 years, older, less-efficient models will be phased out.
carbon-neutral growth
We’ve voluntarily purchased over 12 million carbon offsets for carbon-neutral growth since 2012.
Lowering emissions
With electric ground vehicles and fuel-efficiency gains, emissions have been reduced 11% since 2005. Our goal – cut emissions in half by the year 2050.
Improving Our Environment by Reducing Our Impact
We continually assess all aspects of our waste handling operations to minimize what we send to landfills and identify opportunities for material reuse and recycling.
Reducing Single-Use Plastics
We’re removing single-use plastic items from our aircraft and Sky Clubs, including stir sticks, wrappers, utensils, and straws, replacing them with reusable and compostable alternatives. Earlier this year we updated the TUMI amenity kits to remove the plastic outer wrap, and in the process diverted over 30,000 pounds of plastic waste from landfills in one year.
Making the most of recyclable materials
We were the first U.S. airline to recycle cans, newspapers, magazines and plastic bottles and cups from aircraft. Over the past 10 years, Delta has recycled more than 3 million pounds of aluminum from onboard waste – equivalent to 22 Boeing 747s – and as an added benefit, recycling proceeds have funded construction of 12 homes out of the 260+ we’ve built through Habitat for Humanity.
Giving new life to old uniforms
When our employees received new uniforms in May of 2018, over 1 million items were retired. To prevent those uniforms from ending up in landfills, we embarked on one of the largest single company textile diversion programs in U.S. history. To accomplish this, we donated clothing articles to those in need, upcycled fabrics and retired seat leather into a special product line, and down-cycled remaining materials into products like home insulation and pet bed stuffing.
Waste Reduction Highlights
plastic waste reduction
The move to eco-friendly materials onboard and in Delta Sky Clubs has eliminated 300,000 pounds of plastic waste annually.
air and ground recycling
The onboard and ground recycling programs combined to salvage 1,345 tons in 2018 alone.
upcycling impact
350,000 pounds of material were saved from landfills with the 2018 uniform upcycle initiative.
News Feed
View all of our sustainability updates.
Reports
Note: Delta has been publishing annual Corporate Responsibility Reports (CRRs) since 2009. To request a CRR prior to 2016, please contact sustainability@delta.com