How Delta recognizes U.S. service members during travel and beyond (2024)

Purpose

As a people-focused brand, Delta is proud to be a long-standing supporter of our military service members and veterans – both during their travel journey and beyond.

With 11.2% of Delta’s employees being veterans and many of them continuing to serve in the National Guard or Reserves, Delta people are honored for the opportunity to serve those who serve and protect us. For active members of the United States Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Space Force and Coast Guard, Delta offers a number of military benefits including:

• Early boarding: During the pre-boarding process on all Delta flights, active-duty U.S. military members with an ID are welcome to board early, following those who need additional assistance or time to board.

• Free baggage allowance: When traveling on orders, active-duty service members can check five bags, each weighing up to 100 pounds, for free – and two free checked bags weighing up to 50 pounds when traveling for leisure.

• Pet travel: Military members and U.S. State Department Foreign Service officers can check their pets as baggage for a fee when traveling on active transfer orders.

• Discounted fares: Active-duty U.S. service members and their immediate family members can receive discounted fares when traveling for leisure, simply by calling Reservations to book. When traveling on orders, service members are granted discounted, fixed fares through the U.S. City Pair Program – a mandatory use, government-wide program that delivers best value airfares and ensures federal agencies effectively and efficiently meet their mission.

• Medical emergency support: For those who have a war-injured immediate family member or domestic partner, a discounted fare is granted under our Delta Medical Emergency policy – which can be booked by calling Delta Reservations.

• Delta Vacations discounts: To honor all U.S. military personnel, Delta Vacations offers a special military discount when booking flight and hotel packages to any of the 300-plus destinations offered.

• Holiday lounge access: Over the holidays, active duty and retired military members and their families connecting through Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport can access a special Delta military lounge, located in Concourse E.

Delta’s work to support active military members, veterans and their families dates back decades and includes several efforts beyond travel benefits, such as: 

• Providing professional development and networking opportunities to employees, families, and spouses who served and are currently serving in our Armed Forces – in addition to promoting a diverse and inclusive workplace by supporting the hiring and development of veterans within Delta – through Delta’s Veterans Business Resource Group.

• Onboarding several new partners to help facilitate hiring veterans across the enterprise, including Military MOJO, Service Academy Career Conference, Value of a Veteran and MBA Veterans Network.  

• Building a robust military talent pipeline through partnerships with organizations such as FourBlock, military.com and the PaYS Program to help veterans transition to civilian careers.   

• Serving as a principal funder of four Fisher House Foundation facilities, where families of military personnel can stay at no cost while their loved ones receive treatment.   

• Supporting 10 USO chapters through sponsorship and volunteer work, including assembling care packages, serving hot meals and spending time with service members.   

• Supporting Folds of Honor in 16 markets across the U.S. through funding for educational scholarships. 

• Standing by at hubs across the country with the Delta Honor Guard to make sure those who have made the ultimate sacrifice in service to their country make it to their final resting place with care and honor

• Supporting the Marine Toys for Tots campaign for almost 20 years, providing bicycles and toys to children in need in December and contributing annually to the organization.  

In addition, for the third year in a row, Delta is honored to fly 60 World War II veterans back to Normandy, France, to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the D-Day invasion that catalyzed the war’s end – marking only the third time a U.S. passenger airline will fly directly to Normandy, with the other two being the Delta Charter flights to Normandy in 2022 and 2023. In partnership with Best Defense Foundation and the support of Michelin North America, Inc., Delta will provide a special charter flight directly to Deauville, Normandy Airport from Atlanta on June 2 on a Boeing 767-300, returning June 12, to support the veterans as they are recognized and celebrated with parades, school visits, ceremonies, the official D-Day Commemoration and more.  

Related Topics:

• Military, Veterans