Delta Air Lines is jumping on the Bluetooth bandwagon. Starting in 2026, the Atlanta-based airline will begin rolling out Bluetooth connectivity on more planes and cabins, allowing passengers on its newest planes to pair their Apple AirPods or other wireless listening devices with its entertainment system. board.
Delta announced its new Bluetooth plans Tuesday at a keynote presentation at the Las Vegas Sphere, held as part of CES, one of the largest consumer electronics shows in the world, and one of the largest conventions each year in Las Vegas.
As part of the presentation, Delta executives revealed that these enhanced Bluetooth capabilities will be part of a larger push to the in-flight entertainment system on its new aircraft, which will include new, higher-quality seatback screens and a streaming without newly announced advertising. partnership with YouTube.
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Additionally, the airline announced a new partnership with ride-hailing service Uber launching later this spring, allowing customers to earn SkyMiles on walks.
Delta expands Bluetooth connectivity in seatbacks
Today, Delta passengers can only pair their Bluetooth wireless devices with a small fraction of the airline’s inflight seatback screens. Specifically, only in the first class cabin of its Airbus A321neo aircraft.
That limited implementation of Bluetooth, such as TPG reported in 2022It was part of a test as Delta considered expanding the technology to more planes and more cabins. Since then, airlines, including Delta, have doubled down on seatback screens. And Bluetooth headphones, of course, have only grown in popularity.
Which Delta planes will have Bluetooth?
Now, a word of caution: So far, Delta hasn’t announced any plans to roll out Bluetooth across its fleet. The airline said Tuesday that the technology will begin appearing on select deliveries of new aircraft next year.
Specifically, Delta plans to install the new technology in future Airbus A350-1000 aircraftalong with A321neos starting in mid-2026, an executive said Tuesday. It is also planned for eventual deliveries of the product yet to be certified. Boeing 737 MAX 10.
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That said, Bluetooth will be available in all cabins on those planes, so you’ll be able to pair your AirPods whether you’re flying on a Delta One ticket or a basic economy fare.
In a way, the airline follows in the footsteps of United Airlines, which has already announced plans to equip more than 800 of its aircraft with Bluetooth capabilities by 2032.
Major Tech Upgrades Announced in Las Vegas
For Delta’s part, its Bluetooth announcement came as part of a broader overhaul of in-flight entertainment that the airline unveiled Tuesday at the Sphere in a extravaganza that saw the company’s branding adorn the world-famous Las Vegas venue. Vegas.
In recent years, Delta has used CES to announce other major technology innovations. In 2020, CEO Ed Bastian used his keynote address to first signal the airline’s plans to make inflight Wi-Fi free: The free service is now available on more than 700 Delta aircraft for customers. passengers with a SkyMiles membership.
The expanded Bluetooth connectivity that Delta passengers will begin seeing in 2026 is made possible by new seatback entertainment systems that the airline will debut on certain new aircraft scheduled to join the fleet.
The 4K HDR QLED displays will offer what Delta calls a “theater-like viewing experience.”
And it’s not just about hardware changes.
The airline on Tuesday announced a new partnership with streaming giant YouTube, which will allow passengers to access ad-free YouTube Premium and YouTube Music during the flight, accessible through seatback screens or personal devices at via free Wi-Fi.
Delta’s new displays will also come with a “Do Not Disturb” feature, which will allow passengers to alert flight attendants when they prefer not to be woken for inflight service. The system will also offer translation services, allowing passengers to hear on-board announcements in their preferred language.
“Whether it’s through free and fast Wi-Fi, our industry-leading seatback displays, or any of the other personalized channels in Delta’s digital ecosystem, we are committed to creating a seamless and enriching experience for our customers.” SkyMiles members,” said Delta CEO Ed Bastian. in a statement ahead of Tuesday’s event.
This “next-generation Delta Sync seatback experience” comes as part of a partnership Delta announced with aerospace firm Thales Avionics.
New partnership with Uber
Delta also had good news Tuesday for SkyMiles members who regularly ride Uber.
Later this spring, the airline and ride-hailing service will launch a new partnership that will allow SkyMiles members to link their account with Uber and earn Delta miles for eligible rides and deliveries.
Once activated, SkyMiles earnings on Uber will include:
- 1 mile per dollar spent on UberX trips to and from airports
- 2 miles per dollar spent on premium travel
- 3 miles per dollar spent on Uber Reserve trips
- 1 mile per dollar spent on eligible restaurant and grocery orders
The companies plan to release additional details about the partnership in the coming weeks.
Mobile app gets an AI ‘concierge’
Meanwhile, it wouldn’t be a major product announcement in 2025 without an AI-related innovation.
Delta says this year it will add to its Fly Delta mobile app Delta Concierge, an artificial intelligence tool that will offer passengers additional directions and suggestions during the trip or, as the company puts it, “contextualized guidance and personalized recommendations” throughout the trip. .
That could mean the AI ”concierge” steps in with information about passport or visa requirements, or offers packing tips based on weather forecasts at a destination.
The move comes as U.S. airlines have invested significant resources in improving their mobile apps, allowing customers more ways to track bags, rebook their own reservations, file lost baggage claims and receive notifications about key announcements. through features like “live activities.” “.
Specifically for Delta, these hardware and software improvements will accompany a updated interior look for its cabins is expected to debut on some new aircraft later this year, and modifications to existing aircraft are also planned for the coming years.
The company used its appearance at CES as a way to simultaneously celebrate its centennial (with the help of an exhibit inside Sphere) and promote its vision for the future.
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