Delta Air Lines recently celebrated Team USA and the return of the Olympic Games to the United States with the unveiling of its custom LA28 livery. As the Official Airline of Team USA and an inaugural Founding Partner of the LA28 Olympic and Paralympic Games, Delta played a significant role in the transfer of the Olympic Flag from Paris to Los Angeles following the Closing Ceremony of the Olympic Games Paris 2024.
The custom LA28 livery, designed in-house by Delta’s creative agency, Window Seat, adorns a specially customized A350 aircraft. The livery features a striking blend of Delta blue, Delta red, and Olympic gold, creating a sunset-like color gradient that transitions into a starry impression. The aircraft pays homage to Los Angeles with the display of three palm trees, symbolizing the years that LA has hosted the Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games: 1932, 1984, and now 2028. This honor of hosting three Olympic Games is shared by only two other cities in the world – Paris and London.
In addition to the visually stunning livery, the aircraft proudly showcases the Delta x LA28 integrated emblem, a historic first in the Olympic and Paralympic Movement history. This emblem creatively incorporates Delta’s iconic widget to replace the „A“ in the LA28 logo, symbolizing the partnership between Delta and LA28 in bringing the Games to life in 2028.
The significance of the LA28 Flag Flight was highlighted by Reynold Hoover, CEO of LA28, who expressed gratitude to Delta for their role in organizing the historic flight. The journey from Paris to Los Angeles marked a momentous occasion as the Games returned to the United States for the first time since the 2002 Salt Lake Olympic and Paralympic Games.
As part of its commitment to sustainability, Delta covered the cost of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) for the LA28 Flag Flight to reduce emissions impact. While SAF was not physically on the flights from Paris to Los Angeles, Delta utilized a „book and claim“ model to displace conventional jet fuel with SAF for its California-based flying. This initiative aligns with Delta’s goal to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050 and reduce its carbon footprint in the aviation industry.
Beyond supporting the SAF market, Delta is implementing various measures to make the in-flight travel experience more sustainable, such as switching to compostable bamboo cutlery, testing paper cups, and transitioning to electric ground support equipment. These efforts reflect Delta’s commitment to environmental stewardship and innovation in reducing fuel consumption.
After completing its special journey, the custom LA28 aircraft returned to regular service, where Delta customers will have the opportunity to fly on this unique and symbolic aircraft. Additionally, limited edition LA28 pins are available on Delta’s Team USA shop, allowing fans to commemorate this special partnership between Delta and the LA28 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
The LA28 Olympic and Paralympic Games mark the culmination of Delta’s multi-year partnership with Team USA, showcasing the airline’s role as an inaugural founding partner. With plans for future custom liveries for upcoming Olympic Games, Delta continues to demonstrate its commitment to supporting Team USA and celebrating the spirit of the Olympic Games.