Delta has announced that it’s strengthening its partnership with Airbus to help bring more sustainability to the aviation industry. Delta has been an avid supporter of Airbus for years, with a majority of its fleet being Airbus aircraft. At the 2025 CES in Las Vegas, the two companies have announced their continued commitment to sustainability. Here’s some of what they’re working on.
More Sustainable Aviation Fuel
Sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) is one of the most tangible solutions the aviation industry has to reduce carbon emissions on a large scale. Because of Delta’s hub in Minneapolis, the airline is a founding partner of the Minnesota SAF Hub. Now, Airbus is pledging its commitment to join the hub to help increase SAF production and advocate for its further use in the industry.
Aviation Innovations
Delta and Airbus also announced their plan to collaborate on ways to innovate new aircraft – making them more sustainable, fuel-efficient, and sturdier. The two companies will research increasing wing performance, superconductivity, and launch initiatives to see what future needs advanced aircraft might require.
Flying Like Geese
The wildest idea that Delta and Airbus are teaming up for is researching a new flying technique that Airbus has named “fello’fly”. The new technique is inspired by migrating geese and involves a smaller plane flying in front of the commercial aircraft. This will hopefully increase fuel efficiency for the commercial aircraft by creating what's called “wake energy retrieval”. Even cooler, Delta announced that this isn’t just some pipedream…testing is set to begin later this year!
Delta Will Add More Airbus Planes to its Fleet
Delta also announced its continued commitment to Airbus for its commercial fleet. The airline has ordered 20 of Airbus’ new A350-1000 aircraft, as well as A330-900neos, A321neos, and A220s.