Summary
- Delta goals to scale back fuel use by 45 million gallons by 2025, specializing in drag reduction and flight optimization for efficiency.
- The airline plans to make use of sustainable aviation fuels for 10% of flights by 2030 to scale back emissions, despite high costs and limited supplies.
- Delta invests in additional fuel-efficient aircraft just like the A321neo, A220, and A350 to lower emissions and improve flying experience.
Delta Air Lines has shared the progress it has made on its “Roadmap to more sustainable travel” under the guidance of Chief Sustainability Officer Amelia DeLuca. The roadmap announced a yr ago will enable Delta to achieve its goal of net zero emissions by 2050 and includes sustainable aviation fuels, reduction in single-use plastics, and more efficient aircraft.
Reduction in jet fuel
An integral a part of Delta’s plan to attain net-zero emissions by 2050 is a discount in fuel use. Based on the carrier, over 90% of its carbon footprint today comes from jet fuel. In 2023, Delta claims it saved a cumulative 21 million gallons of fuel, up from 10 million gallons in 2022, and seeks to scale back 45 million gallons by 2025 while serving its extensive route network. The fuel reduction was due to enhanced winglets for drag reduction, flight routing optimization, and weight reduction initiatives.
Photo: Darryl Brooks | Shutterstock
The Atlanta-based carrier has also invested in sustainable aviation fuels (SAF). Delta has set an ambitious goal to make use of 10% SAF on all flights by the top of 2030, as using SAF reduces carbon emissions by over 85%. Nevertheless, there isn’t enough SAF being produced to fuel industrial jets, not to say that SAF is anywhere from two to 4 times as expensive as conventional jet fuel. Through driving coalitions and partnerships, they hope, with help from the federal, state, and native governments, to level the playing field via incentive policies just like those within the auto industry.
![Delta aircraft flying over terrain](https://static1.simpleflyingimages.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/a001_c025_0130re0004054f_r0_cmyk.jpg)
Delta Air Lines To Buy 385 Million Gallons Of SAF From DG Fuels
Deliveries from the brand new supply chain would start at the top of 2027.
Furthermore, Delta can be looking into alternative propulsion beyond jet fuel. The airline has partnered with California-based Joby Aviation, a serious eVTOL (electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft) developer. The airline is working with Airbus on the Airbus ZEROe program to make hydrogen flight a reality in the approaching years.
Carbon-efficient fleet
Through the years, Delta has invested in additional efficient jets similar to the Airbus A321neo, A220, and A350, delivering superior fuel efficiency while providing passengers with a reliable and premium experience.
Photo: Delta Air Lines
In 2022, Delta received its first Airbus A321neo, which is 20% more fuel efficient than its aging fleet of Boeing 767s and 757s. Today, Delta has a fleet of 48 A321neos, and by the top of 2028, the airline is predicted to operate a fleet of 155 examples. The Airbus A220, which Delta was the North American launch customer, is 25% more fuel efficient than its fleet of Boeing 737-700s, McDonnell Douglas MD88, and MD90, which were retired in 2020 in favor of the A220. Lastly, its fleet of Airbus A350s is 20% more fuel efficient than its former fleet of Boeing 777s and Boeing 747-400s. Delta currently operates 44 Airbus A350-900s and, in January, announced an order for 20 Airbus A350-1000s, which can begin delivery in 2026.
The airline has further made strides to scale back drag across its fleet of jets, namely the Boeing 737 family, to extend aerodynamic efficiency. Delta is within the means of installing enhanced winglets on its fleet of Boeing 737-900ERs and Boeing 737-800s. These planes will even be outfitted with lighter-weight, high-performing landing gear tires.
![Delta Air Lines Airbus A350-1000](https://static1.simpleflyingimages.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/delta-air-lines-airbus-a350-1000.jpeg)
Delta Air Lines Adds 20 A350-1000s To Airbus Order Book
The Airbus A350-1000 will allow Delta Air Lines so as to add 15% more premium seats in comparison with the aircraft that its replacing.