In front of a specially gathered audience in Toulouse, France, Delta Air Lines has officially unveiled its new Airbus A350-900, adorned with the Team USA Olympic Games livery.
The Team USA-inspired A350 was revealed during a special ceremony on May 2, 2024, at the Airbus facility where the aircraft has been built and painted this year.
Emblazoned with a fresh look, the new plane, registered N521DN, is part of Delta’s eight-year partnership with the United States (US) Olympic and Paralympic Committee, which will run until the end of the Los Angeles Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2028.
The new design includes red, white and blue colors, plus elements of the previous Team USA A330-900 that was released for the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games Beijing 2022.
“We evolved one of the main features from the Beijing Livery – the jet stream – into the shape of the Eiffel Tower, symbolizing momentum as we countdown to Paris,” Delta in-house designer Alessandra Rabellino said.
Photos of the new A350 were captured by spotters in April 2024, while Airbus staff in Toulouse carried out final checks of the aircraft before handing the keys over to Delta.
“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,” Chief Marketing Officer Alicia Tillman said. “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.”
Specially gathered audience
Delta’s Chairman’s Club were present at the unveiling ceremony on May 2, 2024, which includes a peer-selected honoree group of the airline’s top 100 employees from divisions across the company
Each year, Chairman’s Club Honorees receive the distinction of flying home to Atlanta on a new Delta aircraft, in recognition of their commitment and dedication to the airline brand.
“Team USA athletes are resilient and perseverant – much like Delta’s own people who work each day behind the scenes to connect the world,” Vice President of Global Communications Gina Laughlin said. “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 understands what it means to Keep Climbing to the top.”
Delta’s Chairman’s Club Honorees will fly the aircraft back to Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson Airport (ATL) on May 3, 2024, with the flight scheduled to depart France at 11:00 local time.
As Team USA’s official airline, Delta will manage travel for all US Olympic and Paralympic athletes to Paris 2024, Winter Games Milan 2026 and Los Angeles 2028.
Delta has also partnered with 15 Team USA athlete ambassadors for the Olympic and Paralympic Games Paris 2024.
“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,” Tilman added.