Commercial, Energy Efficiency, Sourcing Renewables  -  January 8, 2025

Delta Partners for Efficiency, SAF

Delta Airlines entered into a new partnership to increase the use of sustainable airline fuel and improve the efficiency of its flights.

The airline partnered with Airbus UpNext, an aircraft manufacturer, for the following strategies:

1. Network of Innovation Labs: Delta and Airbus are collaborating on early-stage, fast-track technology solutions to advance the future of aviation through Delta’s Sustainable Skies Lab and a multitude of Airbus’ innovation labs across the globe, including Airbus UpNext. The two companies will explore wing performance, fuel efficiency, superconductivity, advanced aircraft assistance, and other technologies which may be needed for future aircraft. 
2.  Future flight operations: Delta will test a new flying technique pioneered by Airbus called fello’fly, which takes inspiration from migrating geese and showcases the power of collaboration by pairing flights. With this flying technique, the first aircraft creates an uplift that drives fuel efficiency for the following aircraft, called wake energy retrieval, which can reduce fuel consumption. Delta will participate in the next flight test phase planned for the second half of 2025. 
3. Scaling Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF): Airbus announced its commitment to join the Minnesota SAF Hub, an SAF coalition that brings together stakeholders with a shared commitment to aggressively decarbonize the airline industry. Airbus will also join a demand consortium with a multi-year commitment to purchase SAF. 

Airbus was a founding partner of Delta’s Sustainable Skies Lab when it launched at CES 2023. 

“At Airbus, we pioneer sustainable aerospace for a safe and united world," said Julie Kitcher, Airbus Chief Sustainability Officer and Communications, in a statement. "With Delta we are redefining the future of aviation. By leveraging our combined expertise, we are accelerating groundbreaking innovations—from advancing cutting-edge flight techniques to scaling up the production of renewable fuels (SAF). Together, we are addressing today’s challenges and shaping a more connected, lower carbon future for generations of travelers to come.”

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