Delta Air Lines has reported significant progress in its sustainability efforts during 2025, as the company continues to work toward achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. The airline’s approach is centered on three main areas: advancing fleet technology, improving operational efficiency, and increasing the use of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).
Delta has expanded its partnerships with technology firms to promote more fuel-efficient aircraft. This year, Delta announced a collaboration with JetZero to help develop blended wing-body (BWB) aircraft, which are projected to be up to 50% more fuel efficient than current models. Delta will contribute operational expertise and consult on interior design through its Sustainable Skies Lab.
The company also formed an exclusive partnership with Maeve to support hybrid electric aircraft for regional flights. Maeve’s design aims to reduce conventional jet fuel use and lower lifecycle emissions when SAF is used. These initiatives are part of Delta’s broader strategy that includes other partners such as Joby, Airbus, and Boeing.
In terms of fleet renewal, Delta expects delivery of over 35 new aircraft in 2025. These planes are on average more than 25% more fuel efficient per seat mile compared to those retired since 2019.
Operational improvements have resulted in notable cost savings and emission reductions. In the first quarter of 2025 alone, Delta surpassed its goal of one percent fuel burn savings by saving over 55 million gallons of jet fuel—an achievement valued at over $125 million in annual cost savings. The airline achieved this through measures such as reducing onboard weight, introducing new technology to monitor auxiliary power unit usage between flights, optimizing flight routes and speeds, certifying landing procedures, and adding drag-reducing winglets.
To encourage employee participation in sustainability efforts, Delta launched the “Green Station of the Year” program earlier this year. This initiative involves frontline employees who contribute directly to operational key performance indicators related to fuel efficiency.
Onboard and ground-based sustainability measures included replacing plastic cups with paper alternatives across all operations after extensive testing concluded in 2024. At Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, Delta opened a new lounge featuring energy-saving technologies like smart windows and reusable dinnerware.
Delta also began collaborating with Green Taxi Aerospace on electric taxiing technology designed for regional aircraft but with plans for larger planes in the future.
The airline deepened its partnership with Airbus by participating in tests involving fello’fly—a flying technique inspired by migrating geese that pairs flights together so trailing aircraft can benefit from wake energy retrieval generated by leading planes. According to tests conducted alongside Airbus at CES earlier this year, this method can reduce fuel consumption by up to five percent for follower aircraft on long-haul routes.
Additionally, Delta partnered with MicroTau—a company developing riblet film inspired by shark skin—which could improve fuel efficiency by up to four percent if applied across an aircraft’s surfaces. Other aerodynamic enhancements included installing finlets on fuselages and upgrading existing fleets with advanced winglet technology.
Sustainable aviation fuel remains central to Delta’s decarbonization plans. In 2025, the airline increased SAF usage by fifty percent compared to the previous year and completed its first commercial-scale SAF uplift at Portland International Airport through collaborations with Shell Aviation and Montana Renewables. Despite ongoing challenges around global supply availability for SAF, Delta continues working alongside lawmakers and industry partners on policy solutions aimed at scaling production within the United States.
For its efforts in scaling SAF adoption and corporate social responsibility practices globally, Delta was recognized among top companies worldwide—ranking third overall as the only airline listed in this category.
Looking ahead into next year and beyond, Delta says it will maintain momentum across these initiatives: “From scaling SAF to advancing next-generation aircraft,” according to company statements summarizing their centennial-year progress—“all of which is accomplished by Delta’s 100,000 people that help make this work possible.”
