Delta unveils sustainable practices towards net zero in 2050
Delta Air Lines outlines its commitment to sustainability, unveiling initiatives to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050 and promote a more sustainable future of travel.
Image by Delta Air Lines
During Earth Month, Delta engages in various activities, including corporate recycling challenges and volunteer opportunities. By doing so, Breaking Travel News reports, the airline intends to raise awareness and involve employees and customers in sustainability efforts. These actions align with the airline's long-term goals, which include reducing fuel consumption, transitioning to sustainable aviation fuels (SAF), and minimizing single-use plastics.
Delta's strategic roadmap emphasizes partnerships with innovative tech companies, such as Joby Aviation and Airbus, to explore electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft and hydrogen-powered planes. The airline also focuses on fleet renewal and efficiency improvements, aiming to enhance fuel savings and reduce environmental impact.
Activities in 2024
Delta undertakes some many key activities in 2024 to eventually reach net zero in 2050. For example, Delta has introduced new operational sustainability Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to engage employees in driving sustainability goals. These include metrics like reducing Auxiliary Power Unit (APU) run-time between flights and optimizing weight efficiency.
Also, Delta’s Carbon Council is focused on fuel-saving initiatives through reduced weight, enhanced landing procedures, and flight routing optimizations. These efforts aim to build on the 20 million gallons of fuel saved in 2023.
Delta is advocating for policies to increase production of SAF and is specifically supporting SAF incentive programs in various states. The airline aims to use SAF more broadly throughout its operations and targets 10% SAF usage by the end of 2030 and 35% by 2035.
Upgrading the fleet
Breaking Travel News also reports that the airline is upgrading its fleet with enhanced winglets and lightweight landing gear to maximize efficiency. In 2024 and 2025, the airline will finalize modifications on the 737-800 fleet, incorporating advanced winglet technology to all modifiable existing fleets.
Another important goal for 2024 and 2025 is about the use of plastics on flights. Delta is testing a transition to paper cups on transcontinental flights, aiming to eliminate nearly 7 million pounds of single-use plastics annually by 2025.
