Delta Air Lines is jumping on the Bluetooth bandwagon. Starting in 2026, the Atlanta-based carrier will begin rolling out Bluetooth connectivity to more planes and cabins, allowing passengers on its newest aircraft to connect their Apple AirPods or other wireless listening devices to its inflight entertainment system .
Delta announced its new Bluetooth plans Tuesday at a keynote presentation at the Las Vegas Sphere, held as part of CES, one of the world’s largest consumer electronics shows — and held every year in Las Vegas. One of the largest conferences taking place.
As part of the presentation, Delta executives revealed that these advanced Bluetooth capabilities will be part of a push to promote larger inflight entertainment systems on its new planes — including new, higher-quality seatback screens and the recently announced, ad-free Streaming will be included. Partnership with YouTube.
Clearing less upgrades? Airlines say more passengers are paying only for first class seats
Additionally, the airline announced a new partnership with ride-hailing service Uber that will launch later this spring, giving customers a chance to earn SkyMiles ride on.
Delta expands seatback Bluetooth connectivity
Today, Delta passengers can only connect their wireless Bluetooth devices to a small portion of the carrier’s inflight seatback screen. Specifically, only in the first class cabin of its Airbus A321neo jets.
That limited Bluetooth rollout, e.g. TPG reports in 2022The test was part of a trial as Delta considered expanding the technology to more planes — and more cabins. Since then, airlines — Delta among them — have doubled down on seatback screens. And Bluetooth-enabled headphones, of course, have only grown in popularity.
Which Delta planes will get Bluetooth?
Now, a caveat: So far, Delta has not announced any plans to deploy Bluetooth across its entire fleet. The carrier said Tuesday the technology will begin appearing on deliveries of select new planes next year.
In particular, Delta plans to install new technology in the future airbus a350-1000 jetThat will begin with A321neos in mid-2026, an executive said Tuesday. It is also planned for the final delivery of items not yet certified Boeing 737 Max 10.
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That said, Bluetooth will be available in every cabin of those jets, so you’ll be able to pair your AirPods whether you’re flying on a Delta One ticket or a Basic Economy fare.
In some ways, the carrier is following in the footsteps of United Airlines, which has already announced plans to equip more than 800 of its jets With Bluetooth capabilities by 2032.
Major tech improvements announced in Vegas
For Delta’s part, its Bluetooth announcement came as part of a larger inflight entertainment overhaul the carrier unveiled Tuesday in a major display at the Sphere, which featured the company’s branding gracing the world-famous Las Vegas venue.
In past years Delta has used CES to announce other major technological innovations. In 2020, CEO Ed Bastian used his keynote speech to first hint at the airline’s plan to make inflight Wi-Fi free – the complimentary service is now available on more than 700 Delta jets for passengers with a SkyMiles membership.
The expanded Bluetooth connectivity that Delta passengers will start seeing in 2026, made possible by all-new seatback entertainment systems, will debut on some of the new aircraft set to join the carrier fleet.
The 4K HDR QLED screen will deliver a “theater-like viewing experience,” according to Delta.
And it’s not just hardware changes.
The carrier announced a new partnership with streaming giant YouTube on Tuesday that will allow passengers to access ad-free YouTube Premium and YouTube Music while in flight — via seatback screens or free Wi-Fi on personal devices. accessible through.
Delta’s new screens will also come with a “Do Not Disturb” function, which will allow passengers to alert flight attendants when they don’t want to be woken up for flight service. The system will also provide translation services, allowing passengers to hear in-flight announcements in their preferred language.
“Whether through fast, free Wi-Fi, our industry-leading seatback screens or any other personalized channel in Delta’s digital ecosystem, we’re looking forward to providing our SkyMiles members with a seamless and Committed to creating enriching experiences.” In a statement ahead of the event on Tuesday.
This “next generation Delta Sync seatback experience” comes as part of a partnership announced by Delta with aerospace firm Thales Avionics.
new uber partnership
Delta also had good news Tuesday for SkyMiles members who regularly ride Uber.
Later this spring, the airline and the ride-hailing service will launch a new partnership, allowing SkyMiles members to link their account with Uber and earn Delta miles for eligible rides and deliveries.
Once live, SkyMiles earnings on Uber will include:
- UberX rides cost 1 mile per dollar to and from airports
- 2 miles per dollar spent on premium rides
- 3 miles per dollar spent on Uber Reserve rides
- 1 mile per dollar spent on eligible restaurant and grocery orders
The companies plan to release additional details about the partnership in the coming weeks.
Mobile app gets AI ‘gatekeeper’
Meanwhile, it wouldn’t be a major product announcement in 2025 without artificial intelligence-related innovation.
Delta says it will add Delta Concierge, an AI tool, to its Fly Delta mobile app this year that will give passengers additional instructions and suggestions throughout the journey — or, as the company puts it, “contextual guidance and tailored Recommendations”.
This could mean an AI “concierge” providing information about passport or visa requirements, or packing tips based on the weather forecast at a destination.
The move comes as airlines across the US have invested significant resources into improving their mobile apps, allowing customers to track bags, rebook themselves, file lost baggage claims, and more. And features like “Live Activities” allow you to be informed about major announcements. ,
Exclusively for Delta, these hardware and software improvements will come with Updated interior look Some new jets for its cabins are expected to be introduced later this year – with retrofitting of existing aircraft also planned for years to come.
The company used its CES appearance as a way to simultaneously celebrate its 100-year anniversary — helped along by an exhibit inside the sphere — and tout its vision for the future.
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