Delta announces big tech upgrades to inflight entertainment

Delta flyers can expect a lot of tech upgrades on future flights, starting next year. On Tuesday, Delta announced new advancements to its inflight entertainment systems, new ways for passengers to connect their own tech, and new partnerships with tech vendors. All of it is aimed at keeping travelers better connected while 35,000 feet in the air. 

First, Delta seatbacks are getting a facelift with 4K HDR QLED displays for a high-contrast and “theatre-like” viewing experience. The seatbacks are powered by cloud-based in-flight entertainment infrastructure, a first of its kind according to the press release. 

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Delta is also launching Bluetooth pairing across seatbacks. The airline is bringing Bluetooth compatibility to all cabins, so travelers can connect their own earbuds for movie-watching and no longer need to use the flimsy wired earbuds that flight attendants pass around pre-flight. 

The airline announced a partnership with YouTube that will grant its SkyMiles members access to YouTube Premium and YouTube Music during their flight. SkyMiles members will no longer have to pay for in-flight Wi-Fi or download their YouTube content in advance — if they are already Premium members — to get access to listen to albums or watch videos during their flight. 

The Delta software will feature an “advanced recommendation engine” — a fancy set of words for an algorithm — that will connect to travelers’ YouTube accounts and pitch them content they already want to watch. Of course, if you have to log into your Google account to get the personalization then YouTube could pitch you later on buying a Premium account upgrade after you’ve tried it on a Delta flight.

The perks for SkyMiles Members don’t end there. They can also link their Uber account with their SkyMiles accounts to earn miles on deliveries and rides to and from the airport. Members will earn one mile per dollar on restaurant and grocery orders, as well as UberX rides to and from airports, two miles per dollar on premium rides, and three miles per dollar on Uber Reserve rides, which they can reserve 30 minutes in advance. 

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It’s free to sign up and become a Delta SkyMiles member. 

Delta will be bringing these upgrades to select new aircraft starting in 2026. With these upgrades, the airline also announced more reliable streaming and more stable performance across its global network. But we don’t know if that means it’s going to partner with an advanced connectivity provider like Starlink, which United Airlines is now using. 

Lastly, Delta announced the rollout of Delta Concierge, a Delta app AI tool that will provide real-time guidance and updates to travelers starting this year. It will notify customers about passport and visa expiration or requirements, anticipated arrival and departure needs, and answer questions. It’s essentially a Delta customer experience chatbot that will be available 24/7 in the Fly Delta app.