On a recent trip to Tokyo, I stopped at a suburban McDonald’s and spoke with a few older patrons. I was interested in their memories of the brand’s Japanese debut in 1971. Between sips of coffee, a man in his 70s told us that he remembered it vividly: It was around the time that Yukio Mishima, then the nation’s most celebrated writer and a champion of Japanese imperialism, committed suicide after a failed coup. One era was ending, another was beginning, and the transition was marked by the arrival of an American restaurant radically different from anything they had ever seen.
Delta Turns 100 This Year and Just Announced Some High-Tech Changes to the Flying Experience
10.01.2025 - 19:49 / afar.com / Ed Bastian / Delta Ceo / Dwight James
Delta Air Lines turns 100 years old this year, and to mark the occasion the airline took over the Sphere in Las Vegas on January 7. Inside the immersive venue, Delta paid homage to the company’s history—and gave attendees a glimpse at what’s to come over the next century.
The high-profile event at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) included a keynote presentation from Delta CEO Ed Bastian as he announced a slew of updates for Delta fliers. Some of these enhancements will be launched in the coming months, while many will take years to get off the ground (literally).
“New marvels like AI, the digital revolution, and sustainable technology are giving us incredible tools to transform the travel experience,” Bastian said during the presentation.
In the near future, travelers can expect to see a refreshed “Delta Sync” seat-back screen, including more Bluetooth wireless connectivity on aircraft. The carrier will also be launching an in-app AI chatbot dubbed “Delta Concierge,” and a new rideshare partnership with Uber.
Starting in 2026, Delta’s in-flight entertainment system will get a major upgrade, becoming entirely cloud-based with 4K QLED displays that will make it easier to view even under direct sunlight from open window shades. The new screens will also feature a “Do Not Disturb” function and the ability to translate in-flight announcements to the passenger’s preferred language. Currently, the airline has 165,000 screens across its fleet, more than any other carrier.
An upgraded seat-back entertainment experience is in the works at Delta.
Courtesy of Delta Air Lines
Delta will also install Bluetooth connectivity for personal devices across a portion of its fleet, taking a page out of United Airlines’ playbook. Delta says it will install this tech on future Airbus A350-1000 jets, along with A321neos beginning in mid-2026. Today, Bluetooth functionality is only available on Delta’s A321neos aircraft in first class.
On the content front, SkyMiles members will soon be able to enjoy a newly announced partnership with YouTube, with free access to YouTube Premium, YouTube Music, and curated content from creators.
It’s 2025, and travel companies continue to make waves on the AI front. Delta Concierge, launching later this year, will be an AI-powered chatbot within the Fly Delta app that will provide passport renewal and visa reminders, weather-appropriate packing suggestions for an upcoming trip, and assistance with airport security and navigating the terminals.
Delta is among a growing number of travel companies that are using AI as a supplementary tech-driven customer service option.
Courtesy of Delta Air Lines
“With AI, we want to make sure our customers have choices,” Dwight James, Delta’s SVP of customer
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