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Delta marks 100th anniversary with special blue-and-silver paint scheme

March 17, 2025
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3 min read
Delta Centennial Gala
Delta marks 100th anniversary with special blue-and-silver paint scheme
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Age may just be a number, but in the volatile and cutthroat airline world, it certainly is remarkable to hit triple digits.

Delta Air Lines became the first U.S. airline to reach that threshold earlier in March when it marked its first 100 years. The Atlanta-based carrier took off as Huff Daland Dusters in March 1925.

“Since then, we’ve grown into an industry-leading premium brand and global airline that continues to thrive,” said Ed Bastian, CEO of Delta, on LinkedIn. “It’s all possible because of the incredible 100,000 people who make Delta the very best.”

That new-plane smell: On board the first Delta Air Lines jet sporting its all-new cabin look

DAMIEN BRILLAUD/DELTA

One way that Delta is marking its anniversary is with a special Centennial livery to honor “a century of innovation, resilience and the people who built Delta into the airline it is today.”

The airline unveiled the new look on an Airbus A321neo at a gala Saturday; it features a majestic swoosh in tones of blue and silver.

Delta Air Lines' Centennial Gala in Atlanta on March 15, 2025.
Delta Air Lines' Centennial Gala in Atlanta on March 15, 2025. DELTA AIR LINES

The carrier said it would also add the commemorative paint scheme to one of its Airbus A350 wide-body jets later this spring.

The livery was designed by Delta employee Aaliyah McNeal.

PASCAL PIGEYRE/DELTA

In the decades after Delta was founded, it was one of the country’s “trunk carriers,” or airlines that flew major domestic routes, until the industry was deregulated in 1978. It became an international carrier in the decades that followed through organic growth and mergers; Delta merged with Western Airlines in 1987 and acquired Pan Am’s European assets in 1991. Delta became the global airline it is today following its merger with Northwest Airlines in 2009.

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Today, Delta is the de facto premium U.S. airline — though United Airlines is doing its best to catch up — and a leader on many customer-focused initiatives. For example, in 2023, Delta was the first major airline to offer free inflight Wi-Fi.

Delta will not be the only U.S. airline to reach triple digits for long. Both American Airlines and United can trace their roots to 1926.

Related reading:

Featured image by www.BenRosePhotography.com
Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

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  • Solid welcome bonus

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  • Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
  • You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
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  • $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
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  • $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
  • Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $325.
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