These Are The New Features Coming to Delta’s Seatback Screens
YouTube integration and personalization enhancements are coming soon for SkyMiles members
Photo: Courtesy of Delta Air Lines
Travelers flying with Delta will soon have more choices when it comes to in-flight entertainment (IFE), as the airline has announced it is adding a range of new features to its seatback screens in the near future.
After launching Delta Sync for SkyMiles members in 2023, the Atlanta-based airline is set to enhance the personalized entertainment experience by adding numerous features, from YouTube integration and cutting-edge cloud-based technologies to onboard experience planners and curated collections.
Innovative Features Coming Soon
As announced during a CES 2025 keynote speech, Delta is partnering with video streaming giant YouTube and in-flight technology leaders Thales Avionics to enable the evolution of its award-winning in-flight entertainment offerings.
“Technology has the power to transform travel and create moments for our customers to enjoy the journey as much as the destination,” said Ed Bastian, CEO at Delta.
Photo: Courtesy of Delta Air Lines
“Whether through fast, free Wi-Fi, our industry-leading seatback screens, or any of the other personalized channels in Delta’s digital ecosystem, we’re committed to creating a seamless and enriching experience for our SkyMiles Members.”
Partnerships Driving Enhanced Passenger Experience
Its partnership with YouTube will allow SkyMiles members to watch their favorite creators, podcasts, and music videos ad-free on most flights equipped with Delta Sync Wi-Fi and Delta Sync. Meanwhile, its collaboration with Thales will see the introduction of the next-generation Delta Sync experience starting in 2026, which will include an array of improvements to the current system.
Photo: Courtesy of Delta Air Lines
These enhancements include an intelligent 4K HDR QLED display, Bluetooth capabilities across all cabins, an advanced recommendation engine, additional seatback features like ‘Do Not Disturb,’ and a 96-terabyte storage system – more than fifty times the current system’s average capacity.
Other improvements will include new features on the onboard experience planner, including guided wellness and options to customize the in-flight food and beverage experience. Curation collections will provide an even more personalized entertainment experience, resulting in less time searching for something to enjoy and more time-consuming content, whether it be films and TV, music, podcasts, or games.
There will also be new seatback translation features designed to help travelers who don’t speak English as their first language and those with hearing disabilities. These will also allow flight attendants to communicate directly with all passengers, regardless of their language or hearing capabilities.
Finally, a new arrival mode feature will allow passengers to arrange the next steps of their journey from the comfort of their seats, including baggage claim details, flight connections, and ground transportation arrangements.
Improved Connectivity and Multilingual Support
Delta is also working with Hughes Network Systems to improve in-flight connectivity across its fleet by late 2025.
“As technology evolves, our customers expect their travel experience to adapt and evolve with them,” said Ranjan Goswami, SVP of Customer Experience Design at Delta. “They want it to be intuitive, contextual, and seamless in a way that supports and guides them so that they can move through life with confidence.”
Delta Air Lines / Photo: Courtesy of Delta Air Lines
According to Goswami, “To stay ahead of those expectations, Delta is committed to continuously evolving our industry-leading digital experiences across channels to ensure the sky is never the limit – it’s only the beginning.”
Mary Ellen Coe, Chief Business Officer at YouTube, added, “People want access to their favorite content – whether that’s on TVs, on their phones – or even onboard a plane.
“We’re thrilled to partner with Delta to bring YouTube creators, podcasts, and music directly to their in-flight entertainment so travelers can enjoy everything they love about YouTube while they fly.”
