Delta Celebrates a Century in the Skies
Delta Air Lines marks its 100th year of operation in 2025, celebrating a remarkable journey from a modest crop dusting company to one of the world’s largest and most innovative carriers. Founded in 1925 as Huff Daland Dusters in Macon, Georgia, the company initially used modified First World War aircraft to protect cotton crops from boll weevil infestations. Under the visionary leadership of CE Woolman, a University of Illinois graduate with a background in agricultural engineering, the business evolved quickly. After moving to Monroe, Louisiana, and establishing itself as the first commercial agricultural flying company, the business was acquired by Woolman and renamed Delta Air Service in 1928. This marked the beginning of a transformation that would eventually see Delta expand its services to include passenger and mail transportation.
Woolman’s forward-thinking vision led Delta to operate its first international air mail route on the west coast of South America in 1928 and, by 1929, the airline had launched its inaugural passenger flight from Dallas to Jackson, Mississippi. The early years witnessed the introduction of dedicated passenger aircraft and the development of routes that spanned from the Deep South to international destinations. Through the 1930s, despite challenges such as the Great Depression and temporary suspensions of services due to reduced government mail contracts, Delta persevered by reorganizing and rebranding as Delta Air Corporation. In 1934, the resumption of passenger flights with a Stinson Model T aircraft paved the way for the emergence of Delta Air Lines.
Delta’s growth accelerated with the introduction of larger, more comfortable aircraft in the late 1930s, including the Lockheed 10 Electra. The airline steadily expanded its network, reaching Atlanta in 1930—a city that would eventually become its global headquarters. The 1940s saw Delta contributing significantly to the US war effort while laying the foundations for a modern airline, introducing aircraft such as the Douglas DC-3 and moving its operations to Atlanta. Post-war prosperity saw Delta receiving accolades for its safety record and expanding into cargo services and vacation packages.
Entering the jet age in the 1950s, Delta introduced first-class services and the innovative hub-and-spoke model, which established Atlanta as a vital connecting point. The airline continued to innovate with the arrival of turbojet-powered aircraft like the Douglas DC-8 and embraced the computer age in the 1960s by launching its groundbreaking SABRE reservations system. Throughout the decades, Delta’s growth was marked by strategic mergers, acquisitions, and route expansions that transformed it into a global powerhouse. The airline navigated industry challenges and celebrated milestones such as joining the SkyTeam alliance, acquiring transatlantic routes, and integrating modern fleets.
Today, Delta operates a fleet of nearly 1,000 aircraft and serves 290 cities with over 5,000 daily flights, carrying more than 200 million passengers annually. As it commemorates its centenary, Delta honors its storied past with specially painted Airbus aircraft that reflect its rich heritage while signaling a bold vision for the future. From its humble beginnings as a crop duster to its status as a leader in global aviation, Delta’s journey is a testament to innovation, resilience, and a pioneering spirit that continues to shape the skies.
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