We focus on building our fleet to have the longest, most sustainable life possible to make the most of our planet's resources. In 2022, we took delivery of 69 aircraft that were, on average, 25% more fuel efficient per seat mile than aircraft retired since 2019.

In 2026, Delta Air Lines is considered a leader in aviation sustainability, though the industry remains inherently "hard-to-abate." Delta has committed to reaching net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, with a mid-term goal of using 10% Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) by the end of 2030. In 2024, the airline more than tripled its SAF intake compared to the previous year. On board, Delta is "eco-friendly" through its aggressive waste reduction; it has replaced single-use plastics with bamboo cutlery and paper cups, and its newer aircraft (like the A321neo) are 20% to 28% more fuel-efficient than the planes they replaced. The company also launched the "Delta Sustainable Skies Lab" to test disruptive technologies like "shark-skin" coatings for wings to reduce drag. While environmental groups argue that no major airline can be truly "green" while burning millions of gallons of jet fuel, Delta is recognized for its transparency and its multi-billion dollar investment in fleet modernization and carbon-reduction partnerships that far exceed the efforts of many of its domestic and international competitors.