Delta will significantly enhance in-flight entertainment screens with an upgrade to 4K HDR.

Delta Air Lines has revealed its intention to implement new 4K HDR QLED screens on its commercial aircraft, allowing passengers to enjoy ultra-high-definition entertainment at high altitudes. This announcement was made during Delta's keynote presentation at the CES event in Las Vegas, where the airline also celebrated its centennial with a musical performance by Lenny Kravitz. The airline introduced various new features to enhance the travel experience, including partnerships with YouTube and Uber, as well as an AI-powered customer service chatbot.

The decision to integrate 4K screens is especially appealing to those who have been dissatisfied with the current quality of seat-back monitors. Delta is partnering with Thales Avionics, a company specializing in flight technology, which is already collaborating on the installation of high-definition screens on Emirates' Airbus A350-900 aircraft. However, passengers will not see these updates until 2026.

Access to these new screens has not yet been clarified, raising the question of whether the technology will be available to all passengers or only to those in business class. A Delta spokesperson did not provide immediate details on this aspect. Additionally, the airline has been exploring Bluetooth connectivity for its in-flight entertainment, which has begun to be discreetly implemented in some aircraft. In the future, Delta plans to offer Bluetooth in all cabins to allow travelers to pair their wireless devices, although specific details about this functionality have not yet been shared.

The in-flight entertainment system will also incorporate an advanced recommendation engine, designed to cater to the unique preferences of each passenger. While it is still not revealed how it will work, by the end of 2025, Delta promised to enhance "connectivity" through a partnership with Wi-Fi provider Hughes, which will replace Intelsat. This will allow for multi-network connectivity, promising more "reliable" and "stable" in-flight internet, a result beneficial to SkyMiles members, who will enjoy ad-free YouTube thanks to the new partnership with the platform.

Furthermore, a "Do Not Disturb" mode will be introduced for the seat screens, ensuring that passengers can sleep uninterrupted. Delta is updating its app to include an AI-powered "Concierge" chatbot and a "multi-modal" feature that will integrate Uber and eventually Joby air taxis. This tool will provide recommendations for more efficient routes based on the traveler's location and arrival and departure dates, as well as notify about passport expiration or visa requirements. In the future, it is also expected to make more specific suggestions related to luggage and time planning.

On the other hand, Delta is offering its SkyMiles customers the option to link their Uber accounts to earn miles and additional benefits, including earning 1 mile for every dollar spent on UberX rides to and from airports, 2 miles per dollar on premium rides, and 3 miles per dollar on Uber Reserve rides. Passengers will also earn 1 mile for every dollar spent on eligible orders at restaurants and supermarkets.

Finally, the airline is collaborating with Airbus to design more fuel-efficient aircraft, aiming for sustainable aviation fuel to account for at least 95% of its consumption by 2050. Delta has acknowledged that achieving net-zero emissions will be a considerable challenge that will require rethinking all aspects of its operation. In this regard, they will work alongside Airbus to scale up the use of sustainable fuels, which mainly come from biomass, as well as explore hydrogen-powered flight projects and new configurations that facilitate wake energy recovery.