Delta Inks Exclusive Pact with YouTube for In-Flight Viewing as Airline Enhances Entertainment Experiences and Courts Showbiz Passengers

LAS VEGAS — Delta is ramping up content-related offerings on its flights as the nation’s dominant air carrier banks on exclusive YouTube access, better WiFi and AI-powered convenience to court frequent fliers from the entertainment industry.

Delta has set a deal with YouTube to make the ad-free YouTube Premium and YouTube Music services available free on flights for members of its SkyMiles loyalty program. The deal includes a selection of curated content from key YouTube creators.

Delta executives announced the YouTube deal and other flight-experience enhancements to its Delta Sync as the aviation giant gave an expansive presentation Tuesday evening at the Sphere in Las Vegas, in connection with the Consumer Electronics Show. Delta touted plans to mark the company’s 100th anniversary this year, noting that it is the first airline to reach the centennial mark.

It’s also no surprise that Delta is leaning hard into AI tech. The company hopes its Delta Concierge AI-powered personal assistant feature that is rolling out this year on its Fly Delta app will make strides in improving the overall customer experience.

The goal is that with repeated use the Concierge tool will come to anticipate individual consumers’ needs and help them streamline the logistics of travel – or what Delta dubbed “contextualized guidance” on everything from departure gates to baggage claim details to alerting travelers to weather conditions at their destinations.

Viola Davis, the renowned actor who serves as the “voice” of Delta in advertising, kicked off the keynote speech from Delta CEO Ed Bastian with a rousing introduction hailing the miracle of flight. “When they say it’s impossible we say, Sit back, relax and enjoy the flight,” Davis said to rapturous applause in a room full of travel buffs.

Bastian assured the audience that Delta is committed to investing in R&D and tech for the goal of “re-imagining how you spend your time on board.”

Mary Ellen Coe, chief business officer of YouTube, emphasized that the ad-free YouTube offering will allow viewers to access streaming content as well as podcasts and music. She also asserted that consumers are increasingly gathering travel tips and inspiration through YouTube creators. “Creators are producing the must-see TV of today,” Coe said.

The presentation also featured a surprise appearance by Tom Brady, the NFL great turned broadcaster for Fox Sports. Brady will host “Well Traveled,” an exclusive in-flight series for Delta that will emphasize how to integrate wellness tips into travel routines. When asked for his No. 1 tip for staying healthy while traveling, Brady replied: “Hydration.”

More to come

(Pictured: Viola Davis at the Delta CES Keynote event at the Sphere in Las Vegas)