Embedding Sustainability in Everything We Do

Réduire le plastique à usage unique

We continue to focus on minimizing single-use plastics on board our aircraft. Key achievements have included fully replacing plastic cutlery with bamboo across our aircraft operations for all customers, introducing dishware made from biodegradable material and utilizing premium paper placemats on international flights.

We have also been working hard to address one of our most significant waste streams: single-use plastic cups. In 2023, we took a significant step forward by beginning onboard testing of new paper cups on select flights. The new cups are the result of several years of prototyping and testing to find a cup capable of withstanding hot, cold and alcoholic drinks, while meeting strict environmental regulations. Once approved and rolled out across the Delta network, paper cups will help eliminate nearly 7 million pounds of single-use plastics on board annually.

Onboard Waste Diversion

Our teams continually explore opportunities to reduce, reuse and recycle throughout our onboard service operations. This includes collecting data and designing updated processes and other interventions to improve performance. For example, in early 2023, we completed a main cabin pre-arrival meal consumption study which highlighted an opportunity to reduce boarding ratios on selected routes between the United States and Europe. Implementation of the proposed changes resulted in waste avoidance of 395 699 sandwiches and savings of $1 076 300. In addition to reducing waste and costs, boarding fewer meals contributes to lowering service weight, which can help reduce fuel consumption.

We have also undertaken several projects to help prevent unused service items from going to waste. For example, in late 2022, we implemented a small procedural change to encourage flight attendants to retie partially used sleeves of cups so that they could be reloaded on future flights. This led to reductions in both waste and cost, with nearly 94 million fewer cups ordered in 2023.

As part of a global effort to assess the baseline amount of waste in our service operations, we have recognized opportunities to increase waste diversion in our catering kitchens. At Atlanta’s Domestic Flight Kitchen (DFK), improved recycling systems and processes have helped increase total recycling to 475,817 pounds over the year. Also at DFK, we have introduced composting, resulting in 39,444 pounds of organic waste being diverted in 2023.

Paperless Gates

In 2023, Delta gate agents stopped automatically printing pre-departure and departure documents on all flights. The process transformation included collaboration between our Airport Customer Service, In-Flight Service and Flight Operations teams. This effort eliminates printer malfunctions that can cause delays, cuts printer maintenance costs and reduces the equivalent of 1 200 trees in paper annually.

Ground Support Electrification

We continue to make progress in transitioning to electrified ground support equipment (eGSE). This not only reduces fuel use, which helps meet our climate goals, but also contributes to improved air quality, less hazardous waste and reduced noise. Electric equipment can also bring enhanced performance and safety features and lower maintenance and operating costs, supporting more efficient and effective operations – especially at our busiest hubs.

Since 2020, we have retired 3 574 gas- and diesel-powered GSE units from our core fleet and introduced 1 647 zero-emission eGSE units, achieving a total of 31% electrification of our critical GSE fleet. We have now reached nearly 100% electrification of core GSE fleets at two hubs: BOS and Salt Lake City (SLC). We are also making eGSE investments at our hubs in ATL, JFK, LAX, LGA, MSP, Seattle (SEA) and many smaller airports that Delta serves.

In addition to the equipment itself, electrification requires thoughtful planning and investments in infrastructure – especially charging. That means working closely with airport partners to coordinate funding and construction, often in conjunction with other ongoing terminal and gate improvements, as well as targeting investments at airports that are already eGSE-ready. Additionally, supporting policies and incentives – including the FAA’s VALE program for airports and state-specific grant programs for the industry – are key to accelerating airport electrification.

Campus Greening

In March 2023, we transitioned to compostable cups, dishware and utensils in our four cafeterias at the Delta World Headquarters, diverting more than 18 tons of waste from landfill in 2023. Later in the year, we began a centralized waste and campus greening project which includes removal of deskside bins throughout employee spaces, replacing them with 3-receptacle bins (compost, recycling and landfill). The bins were thoughtfully designed inhouse at our Delta facility. The materials for the bins include upcycled wood crating from aircraft parts and recycled plastic. Bins are set to roll out across main-office employee spaces in 2024.

Energy Consumption in Our Facilities

Although the vast majority of our calculated GHG emissions are generated from jet fuel consumption, we recognize the need to address all areas of our business as we strive to achieve net-zero emissions. To that end, Delta has committed to reducing GHG emissions across all ground operations and facilities, which includes both owned and leased facilities. Since 2022, we have saved approximately 1 210 megawatt hours (MWh) of electricity annually by transitioning to light-emitting diode (LED) lighting across 36 locations and upgrading cooling towers in our Tech Ops facilities. In 2023 alone, we increased these savings by approximately 892 MWh, equivalent to 363 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO₂e).

Delta is also working with airports to improve efficiency within our terminals. In 2020, Delta worked alongside the Salt Lake City Department of Airports to build the first new hub airport in the United States in the 21st century. This 4-million-square-foot addition achieved its goal of LEED Gold certification for the Terminal Redevelopment Program project and Concourse B-West. Key environmental initiatives included water-efficient plumbing fixtures, 2,1 Megawatts (MW) of off-site green power through Rocky Mountain Power, increased windows for natural lighting and reduced taxi and aircraft idling times.

Supply Chain Assessment

We continue to work with suppliers to support their completion of the EcoVadis sustainability assessment.

This evaluation provides actionable scorecards and other information to help us identify deficiencies and implement corrective actions where needed, as well as to spot positive practices that support our sustainability goals. As of year-end 2023, we have onboarded 496 suppliers representing 52%¹ of our supply chain by spend.

To further enhance supplier engagement via the EcoVadis platform, Delta joined Air France–KLM, Transavia and Virgin Atlantic in founding the Sustainable Airlines Initiative (SAI) in early 2023. Coordinated by EcoVadis, the effort seeks to improve ethical, social and environmental business standards across the industry’s value chain and spark systemic transformation toward supply chain transparency. This includes working together to enroll common suppliers in the aviation industry’s vertical and horizontal supply chain, resulting in increased efficiency and the dissemination of best practices for meeting shared sustainability challenges.

1. In 2022, Delta began rolling the EcoVadis assessment out to a select portion of our supply chain and over time is continuing to expand the scope of suppliers subject to Delta’s ESG assessment process. Previous reports indicate the success of our initial EcoVadis assessment rollout, and moving forward this will represent Delta’s enterprise-wide third party spend coverage.