Check Out Delta’s Newest Aircraft Livery Celebrating its 100th Anniversary
The new design was unveiled at a celebratory event in Atlanta on Saturday
Photo: Courtesy of Delta Air Lines
Delta Air Lines celebrated its 100th anniversary last weekend, unveiling a special centennial livery on its new-look Airbus A321neo aircraft at an event on Saturday.
Founded on March 2, 1925, as Huff Daland Dusters, Inc., the first aerial crop-dusting firm in the world, the company operated its first passenger flight in 1929 as Delta Air Service before being renamed Delta Air Lines in 1945.
Looking Back: Delta Air Lines
Delta has since gone on to become not only one of the so-called ‘Big Three’ airlines in the United States but one of the largest and most recognized airline brands in the world.
Gradually growing from a domestic airline to a major global force following its merger with Western Airlines in 1987, acquisition of Pan Am’s European arm in 1991, and merger with Northwest Airlines in 2009, the Atlanta-based carrier now operates commercial flights to almost 300 destinations across six continents.
Photo: Courtesy of Delta Air Lines
To celebrate the significant milestone of 100 years of operations, Delta hosted a Centennial Gala at the newly renovated Delta Flight Museum in Atlanta on Saturday, March 15.
The event was attended by more than 1,000 guests, including current Delta employees, investors, and both current and former company leaders, such as current CEO Ed Bastian and former bosses Ron Allen, Leo Mullin, and Richard Anderson. Live entertainment was provided by Jon Batiste and the Vitamin String Quartet.
The Centennial Neo
However, the centerpiece of the gala was the unveiling of its Airbus A321neo, which was delivered last month and registered as N589DT, adorned with a special centennial livery.
Photo: Courtesy of Delta Air Lines
Designed by Delta employee Aaliyah McNeal, the celebratory livery features a distinctive swoosh in blue and silver tones and a large ‘100’ emblem on the sides. Delta said the livery will also feature on its Airbus A350 aircraft later this spring.
Photo: Courtesy of Delta Air Lines
“Delta’s Centennial livery honors a century of innovation, resilience and the people who built Delta into the airline it is today,” said Delta in a press release. “Revealed for the first time during Delta’s Centennial Gala on March 15, the livery features swooping details, a bold 100 emblem and first-ever silver supergraphic.”
Photo: Courtesy of Delta Air Lines
Ed Bastian, CEO of Delta, said in a post on LinkedIn: “Today is a special day in history. It’s Delta’s official 100th birthday. On March 2, 1925, our predecessor Huff Daland Dusters, the world’s first aerial crop-dusting company and largest privately-owned aircraft fleet in the U.S., began carrying mail.
“Since then, we’ve grown into an industry-leading premium brand and global airline that continues to thrive. It’s all possible because of the incredible 100,000 people who make Delta the very best.”
