Delta Unveils Team USA-Inspired Airbus Ahead of 2024 Olympics
The plane made its inaugural journey from Toulouse, France, to Atlanta
Posted On: May 6, 2024 By :Delta Airlines has unveiled a custom Airbus A350 Team USA aircraft livery that will be in use all summer in honor of the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Summer Games in Paris.
The Team USA-inspired A350 commemorates Delta’s eight-year partnership with the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee, which runs through the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Summer Games in Los Angeles.
“Unveiling the Team USA aircraft for the Olympic and Paralympic Games Paris 2024 marks a major milestone for Delta’s support of Team USA as we look toward the start of competition in just a few months,” said Delta Chief Marketing Officer Alicia Tillman. “This plane, designed by our in-house creative team, represents Delta’s commitment to Team USA and our partnership to elevate these athletes to reach their highest potential. As this plane flies around the world in the coming months and years, we hope it is seen as a symbol of hard work, dedication and the upward momentum to being the best that Team USA and Delta innately share.”
The aircraft debuted in Toulouse, France, home of Airbus’ global headquarters and where the plane was built and painted. Delta’s Chairman’s Club, a peer-selected honoree group of the airline’s top 100 employees from divisions across the company, were a part of the reveal. The design boasts red, white and blue colors with ‘Team USA’ written across its side.
“Team USA athletes are resilient and perseverant — much like Delta’s own people who work each day behind the scenes to connect the world,” said Gina Laughlin, vice president of global communications at Delta. “Celebrating this moment alongside our 2023 Chairman’s Club Honorees is only fitting as Delta’s people and Team USA work diligently each day to bring the best of themselves to their work. No one better understand what it means to Keep Climbing to the top.”
Following the reveal celebration in Toulouse, the Team USA 2024 livery made its first flight to Delta’s home airport in Atlanta, landing to a celebratory water cannon salute at Atlanta Hartsfield Jackson International Airport. The aircraft will fly primarily transatlantic routes and be based at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.
Delta will manage travel for all U.S. Olympic and Paralympic athletes to the Games this summer along with the 2026 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games in Italy and LA28. Delta served as a past sponsor of the 1996 Olympic and Paralympic Summer Games in Atlanta and 2002 Winter Games in Salt Lake City. Delta will also partner with 15 Team USA athlete ambassadors on the road to Paris;
- Allyson Felix, 11X U.S. Olympic medalist, Track and Field
- Gabby Thomas, 2X U.S. Olympic gold medalist, Track and Field
- Ilona Maher, U.S. Olympian, Rugby
- Brooke Raboutou, U.S. Olympian, Sport Climbing
- Jagger Eaton, U.S. Olympic bronze medalist, Skateboarding
- Chase Kalisz, 2X U.S. Olympic medalist, Swimming
- Victor Montalvo, U.S. Olympic hopeful, Breaking
- Ashleigh Johnson, 2X Olympic gold medalist, Water Polo
- Brad Snyder, 8X U.S. Paralympic medalist, Para Swimming & Paratriathlon
- Oksana Masters, 17X U.S. Paralympic medalist, Para Cycling & Para Cross-country ski
- Kaleo Kanahele Maclay, 3X U.S. Paralympic medalist, Sitting Volleyball
- Trevon Jenifer, 3X U.S. Paralympic medalist, Wheelchair Basketball
- Roderick Townsend, 4X U.S. Paralympic medalist, Para Track and Field
- Chuck Aoki, 3X U.S. Paralympic medalist, Wheelchair Rugby
- Mallory Weggemann, 5X U.S. Paralympic medalist, Para Swimming