Delta to invest $1 billion to become first carbon-neutral airline in the world
Delta Air Lines is committing $1 billion to the fight against global warming. The airline said this morning (just in time for Valentine's Day) it would spend $1 billion over the next ten years across a variety of programs. The company wants to be the first airline in the world to be carbon neutral. Delta is also pledging to mitigate all emissions from March of this year forward.
Ed Bastian, Delta's CEO, said,
"There is no substitute for the power that travel has to connect people, which our world needs today more than ever before. As we connect customers around the globe, it is our responsibility to deliver on our promise to bring people together and ensure the utmost care for our environment. The time is now to accelerate our investments and establish an ambitious commitment that the entire Delta team will deliver."
Related: What your favorite airlines and hotels are doing to fight climate change
The news comes the same day Delta plans to distribute $1.6 billion in profit-sharing to employees. Delta first revealed the profit-sharing amount in January.
Delta is spreading the money across multiple programs, part of an effort to tackle what Bastian acknowledged is a tough problem for an airline to solve.
"There's no challenge we face that is in greater need of innovation than environmental sustainability, and we know there is no single solution," Bastian said in a statement. "We are digging deep into the issues, examining every corner of our business, engaging experts, building coalitions, fostering partnerships and driving innovation. We are on a journey, and though we don't have all the answers today, we know that our scale, along with investments of time, talent and resources will bring meaningful impact to the planet and ensure the sustainability of our business for decades to come."
As part of a long-term effort to address environmental concerns, Delta said it would invest time and money into:
- Carbon reduction including fleet renewals, weight reductions and increased use of sustainable fuels
- Investing in carbon-removal initiatives, such as tree planting, and investments in emerging carbon capture technologies
- Partnering with Northwest Advanced Bio-Fuels and Gevo on recycled jet fuel
- Reducing plastic usage and increasing recycling and composting
- Pushing for modernization of air traffic control, which Delta believes would reduce delays and fuel consumption
Delta also said it will invest more than $100,000 in The International Small Group & Tree Planting Program (TIST), a program that supports subsistence farmers in countries like Kenya and Uganda to reverse the effects of deforestation, drought and famine through tree planting and conservation farming.
Related: Delta CEO talks exoskeletons, 'binge buttons' and more at CES 2020
Delta also recently introduced 84 new aircraft like the state-of-the-art A220, which Delta claims are 25% more fuel-efficient.
Delta had previously said it is aiming to reduce its emissions by 50% by 2050.
The airline says it has reduced jet fuel consumption through fleet renewal and fuel-efficiency initiatives that started in 2005, an effort which Delta calculates has reduced emissions by 11%. Further, Delta claims it is the only airline to voluntarily cap emissions at 2012 levels.
It was back in 2007 that Delta became the first U.S. airline to enable customers to offset the carbon emissions generated through travel, on delta.com/co2 or through the Fly Delta app.
Delta said its sustainability efforts extend into the cabin as well: The airline recycles 1,000 tons of waste a year and said it has dramatically reduced single-use plastics on planes and in lounges. Delta also pointed to the planes themselves, saying it has worked to make its current aircraft lighter. That effort includes installing carbon brakes on all its planes, reducing weight by about 700 pounds per plane, according to the company.
Delta is working with Air BP to supply biofuels for 20 delivery flights of the Airbus A321 aircraft from the Airbus final assembly line in Mobile, Alabama.
And Delta points out it is continuing a commitment to local communities in markets it serves (and around the world) by funding charities and volunteer organizations. The company said this year it will give all its employees the opportunity to take a paid day off work to volunteer for local charities with a focus this year on environmental organizations.
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 4X | 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. |
| 4X | 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. |
| 5X | New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Valuable dining and food-related credits
- Flexible rewards with airline and hotel transfer partners
- Multiple travel and purchase protections
- No foreign transaction fees
- Access to Amex Offers for additional savings (enrollment required)
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- 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 $8,000 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.
- New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- Pay It® lets you tap in the American Express® App to quickly pay for small purchase amounts throughout the month and still earn rewards the way you usually do. Plan It® gives you the option to split up big purchases into equal monthly payments with a fixed fee. You’ll know upfront exactly how much you’ll pay.
- Updated! $120 Dining Credit: Earn up to a total of $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the Gold Card at Grubhub (including Seamless), Buffalo Wild Wings, Five Guys, The Cheesecake Factory, and Wonder. This can be an annual savings of up to $120. Enrollment required.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants after you pay for eligible purchases with the American Express® Gold Card. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: Earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin’ locations. Enrollment required.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Enjoy up to $120 in Uber Cash annually with your Gold Card. Just add your Card to your Uber account and you'll get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
- New! As an American Express® Gold Card Member, you can enjoy complimentary Hertz Five Star® Status. Enjoy benefits like skipping the counter at select locations, adding an additional driver at no additional cost*, and vehicle upgrades**. Benefit enrollment and Hertz Gold+ registration are required. *Additional drivers must meet standard rental qualifications and must be a spouse or domestic partner to qualify as complimentary. Other additional drivers subject to fees. **Benefits are subject to availability and vary by location. Additional Hertz program Terms and Conditions including age restrictions apply.
- Take advantage of a $100 credit towards eligible charges* at over 1,300 upscale hotels worldwide when you book The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App **. *Eligible charges vary by property. **The Hotel Collection requires a two-night minimum stay.
- Book your travel through the Amex Travel App with added peace of mind – backed by American Express® service and support. Only for American Express® Card Members.
- Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.