Pulling ahead of United, Delta will become the official airline of the U.S. Olympics next year
This post contains references to products from one or more of our advertisers. We may receive compensation when you click on links to those products. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. For an explanation of our Advertising Policy, visit this page.
That noise you hear is Rhapsody in Blue fading into the background.
After almost 40 years, United Airlines is passing the torch to Delta as the official airline for U.S. Olympic athletes.
The partnership will officially take effect next year, and Delta will begin flying competitors to the 2022 Beijing games, the airline announced Tuesday.
Delta is also a “founding partner” of the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles and will partner with LA28, which is organizing the games, on community service initiatives in the coming years.
Sign up for the free daily TPG newsletter for more airline news
“Delta is in the business of connecting people, and nothing brings the world together quite like the Olympic and Paralympic Games,” CEO Ed Bastian said in a statement. “The dreams and big ideas born in Los Angeles inspire us to imagine a better future. Partnering with LA28 is an investment in LA’s future and a commitment to work together to create a more connected, equitable and sustainable world.”
In the last decade, Delta has been growing its presence in Los Angeles. It now serves more than 70 destinations with more than 170 daily flights from LAX, according to the airline.
Related: Tokyo 2020 Olympics may be cancelled amid coronavirus worries.
A person familiar with United’s previous sponsorship agreement told TPG that the airline had spent around $4 million per year on the current Olympic deal, which spanned four years. The new deal with Delta is reportedly worth about $400 million over the course of eight years, according to The Los Angeles Times. When the sponsorship officially begins next year, Delta is expected to unveil a special LA28 livery on one of its Airbus A350s.
For its part, United said it will remain in Team USA’s corner, even after it is no longer an official sponsor of the U.S. Olympians.
“United Airlines has enjoyed a long-standing partnership with Team USA athletes for nearly four decades and we are excited for the Tokyo games later this summer,” Maddie King, a spokeswoman for the airline said in a statement. “Even after our sponsorship ends, we look forward to cheering proudly for our athletes and their unwavering competitive spirit for years to come.”
Featured photo by Patrick T. Fallon/The Points Guy
Sign-up Successful!
Welcome to The Points Guy!
Earn 90,000 bonus miles and 10,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new card in the first three months of card membership. Offer ends 11/10/2021.
With Status Boost™, earn 10,000 Medallion Qualification Miles (MQMs) after you spend $25,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year, up to two times per year getting you closer to Medallion Status. Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels, 2X Miles at restaurants and at U.S. supermarkets and earn 1X Mile on all other eligible purchases. Terms Apply.
- Limited Time Offer: Earn 90,000 Bonus Miles and 10,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 3 months. Offer expires 11/10/2021.
- Earn up to 20,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) with Status Boost® per year. After you spend $25,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year, you can earn 10,000 MQMs two times per year, getting you closer to Medallion® Status. MQMs are used to determine Medallion® Status and are different than miles you earn toward flights.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels.
- Earn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery and at U.S. supermarkets.
- Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
- Receive a Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year upon renewal of your Card. *Payment of the government imposed taxes and fees of no more than $75 for roundtrip domestic flights (for itineraries with up to four flight segments) is required. Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. See terms and conditions for details.
- Enjoy your first checked bag free on Delta flights.
- Fee Credit for Global Entry or TSA Pre✓®.
- Enjoy an exclusive rate of $39 per person per visit to enter the Delta Sky Club® for you and up to two guests when traveling on a Delta flight.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- $250 Annual Fee.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees
Disclaimer: The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser. Responses have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by the bank advertiser. It is not the bank advertiser’s responsibility to ensure all posts and/or questions are answered.
Editorial Disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airlines or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.