100 years young...
Last week the airline celebrated its centenary by adorning the New York Stock Exchange building with a banner and ringing the opening bell. Let’s look at how it all started.
Going back to 1925, Delta began as the world’s first crop dusting operation called Huff Daland Dusters Inc. Founded in Macon Georgia before it moved to Monroe Louisiana the same year. The first Huff Daland Duster flew to combat the boll weevil infestation of cotton crops. Then a peach orchard in Montezuma Georgia was dusted. C. E. Woolman, later to become Delta’s first CEO, led a group of investors to acquire the company’s assets. Delta Air Service was incorporated in December 1928 and named after the Mississippi delta region.
Passenger services began in June 1929 from Dallas to Jackson, with stops at Shreveport and Monroe. In 12 months, the service was extended to Atlanta and Fort Worth. Passenger services ceased when the airmail contract for this route awarded to another airline, which then purchased the assets of Delta Air Service. A management buy-out ensued and Delta Air Corporation formed in December 1930.
With an airmail contract secured in 1934, the company started trading as Delta Air Lines over Mail Route 24 which stretched from Fort Worth to Charleston. The company HQ moved to its current location in 1941. Officially becoming Delta Air Lines in 1945, the company started regular freight transport in 1946. The first discounted passenger fares launched in 1949, between Chicago and Miami. Its first international routes launched in 1953. Delta became the first airline to operate both the DC8 and Convair 880. Then in 1965, was first to fly the DC9. Subsequent acquisitions saw the company expand, notably taking over Pan Am’s transatlantic routes and Pan Am Shuttle.
Getting to where it is today hasn’t always been a smooth ride. Filing for bankruptcy (Chapter 11) in 2005, the company emerged 2 years later after fending off a hostile bid from US Airways. Rising fuel costs cited for the initial problem.
Today, Delta Air Lines operates 9 hubs. Its largest at ATL in terms of passenger and departure numbers. Regional subsidiaries and contractors operate under the Delta Connect brand. A founding member of the SkyTeam alliance which helps to expand its global network. The second oldest operating commercial airline in the USA, having started passenger flights after United. However, it ranks first in revenue and brand value. Delta has also topped the Wall Street Journal’s annual airline rankings from 2022-24. With its worldwide alliance partners, the airline operates more than 15,000 flights/day. In Summer 2024, it operated 893 daily flights out of ATL.
The fleet consists of 992 mainline aircraft, making it the third largest commercial airline in the world. As with many US carriers, it had operated solely aircraft built in the United States. However, Airbus makes up a significant part of their fleet as the airline recognises the benefits of having newer aircraft for efficiency and lower costs. It’s worth noting that Delta still operates B757 and B767, which can often be spotted at LHR, EDI and DUB. The current CEO is Ed Bastian who was instrumental in implementing the joint venture with Virgin Atlantic, in which it holds a 49% stake.
Finally, whilst on the subject of birthdays, happy 105 to Qantas!
In other news –
Blue Islands – another UK regional carrier collapsed recently, with the loss of 100 jobs. Looking at the history of this airline, it’s struggled against competition from Aurigny and now EasyJet. Aurigny, Loganair and EasyJet have stepped in to assist stranded passengers and maintain links between Channel Islands and UK mainland.
BA – before the Blue Islands collapse announcement, it was suggested that the UK carrier would launch LHR-GCI-JER in 2026. Intending to make better use of their A320 aircraft.
Jet2 – in an announcement that caught most aviation media and enthusiasts by surprise, the company announced the opening of its LGW base in Marrch 2026. First flight to TFS on 26 March.
EasyJet – having recently celebrated its 30th birthday, it was time to revisit the possibility of the low-cost carrier launching services from LHR. It’s certainly under consideration but the key factor seems to be when/if the third runway will be built.
Airbus – announced its first order for the A350F in China. Air China Cargo choosing 6. Air Algerie have also taken delivery of their first A330neo.
Dubai Air Show – starts 17 November, at DWC. Boeing will be showcasing the 777X, hoping to stave off cancellations by airlines whose patience may be running out. Emirates will be displaying their A350. There’s so much on offer at this show, which could claim to be world’s largest!
And finally –
United – in a motion to dismiss a class action lawsuit, the airline has argued that “window seat” does not mean “seat with a window”. They contested that window seat refers to its location on the aircraft and not to an actual window. Earlier this year, 2 almost identical lawsuits filed, one against United and the other against Delta. Disgruntled passengers who paid for window seats dismayed to find their seat had no window at all. The lawsuits allege this constitutes deceptive or unfair trade practices, possibly even breach of contract. If the lawsuits are successful, seat maps will need to be amended to indicate the presence, or not, of actual windows.
Information courtesy of Delta & Captainztravels (on Threads), Jet2, Airbus, Aerospace Global News
Images courtesy of Delta News Hub, Airbus
©TPSC, LadyJet2 and photo/diagram suppliers