For the fifth time, Delta has been named one of the world’s Most Innovative Companies by Fast Company. This time around, the global airline was recognized in the No. 3 spot – the only airline ranking – in the Corporate Social Responsibility category for its tangible efforts in scaling sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).

The list, published annually, highlights global firms leading the charge in transforming their respective industries.

“It’s our Centennial year and we’re as focused as ever on innovating for a more sustainable future of travel,” shared Delta Chief Sustainability Officer, Amelia DeLuca. “Sustainability is good for business, our people and the planet, and this recognition is a direct reflection of the hard work of Delta people across our business who are the Delta Difference on our road to net-zero emissions by 2050.”

Last year, Delta secured its place on the Fast Company’s list for being the first to offer fast, free Wi-Fi connectivity to the skies, which is now available on most domestic mainline flights, with international and regional expansions underway. 

SUSTAINABLE AVIATION FUEL (SAF) PLAYS A CRITICAL ROLE IN DELTA’S DECARBONIZATION WORK

“Meaningful change doesn’t happen overnight,” said Charlotte Lollar, Director of SAF. “But decisions and actions we make today are vital to securing the future of air travel. SAF is a relatively new technology and also one of the most critical levers available today to decarbonize aviation in the short and medium term. That’s why we’re working across the industry and beyond to scale it.”

Delta’s industry-leading efforts to foster collaboration and build coalitions in order to advance SAF production for all airlines include: 

• Signing agreements with multiple SAF producers to procure millions of gallons of SAF to meet Delta’s goal of 10% SAF usage by the end of 2030.  
• Founding and leading Americans for Clean Aviation Fuels (ACAF) – a diverse federal coalition to harness the economic power of SAF
• Being an anchor partner in the Minnesota SAF Hub to:
• Announce the first blending facility in Minnesota alongside the Minnesota SAF Hub and Flint Hills Resources, set to be completed in 2025
• Form a ‘Demand Consortium’ to commit to purchase the first several million gallons of SAF produced at the blending facility
• Increase production and alleviate the “green premium” of SAF that in part makes it difficult to scale.
• Advance research of the winter camelina seed – a MN crop that can we grown to produce oil for SAF production.

Complete the first delivery of SAF in Minnesota’s and Michigan’s aviation history to the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP) and Detroit Metropolitan Airport (DTW) fuel supplies.

Other initiatives that contributed to Delta’s spot on Fast Company’s Most Innovative Companies list includes Delta’s decarbonization work to reduce fuel and the airlines focus on innovation. 

In 2024, Delta’s cross-enterprise Carbon Council worked across divisions and critical teams at Delta to implement frontline tracking metrics and actions that saved the airline more than 44 million gallons of fuel, which equates to cost savings of more than $100 million in jet fuel. 

Additionally, Delta is cultivating innovative partnerships to further the airline on its road to net-zero through its Sustainable Skies Lab. Earlier this year, Delta announced a deeper innovation partnership with Airbus to advance next-generation aviation technologies to revolutionize the future of flying.  Delta and Airbus are also partnering with Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL), Airbus and Plug Power to explore the airport infrastructure and operational requirements needed to safely stand-up hydrogen fuel operations, as well as assess the feasibility of future hydrogen fueling at the world’s busiest airport.

Delta continues to be ahead of the curve in innovation, setting the standard for excellence spanning passenger experience, customer service, operational performance and workplace culture. Recognition from reputable firms inevitably follows this work, including 

• Being the No. 1 airline on the annual list of JUST 100 that measures and ranks companies on the issues Americans care about most, 
• Securing America’s Most On-Time Airline title by Cirium for the fourth consecutive year
• Achieving a high No. 11 listing on Fortune’s World’s Most Admired Companies recognition for the 12th consecutive year