Delta Air Lines, founded in 1925 as Huff Daland Dusters, began as the world’s first aerial crop-dusting company based in Macon, Georgia. Transitioning to passenger service by 1928 as Delta Air Service, it was named for the Mississippi Delta region it initially served. The airline’s first passenger flight occurred in 1929 between Dallas, Texas, and Jackson, Mississippi, marking the start of its evolution into a major commercial carrier[1][5][7]. Over the decades, Delta expanded aggressively through innovation and acquisitions. By 1970, it operated an all-jet fleet. Key milestones include acquiring Northeast Airlines in 1972, launching trans-Atlantic flights in 1978, and beginning trans-Pacific service in 1987. Delta pioneered the hub-and-spoke model in the 1950s, establishing Atlanta as a major global hub. The acquisition of Western Airlines in 1987 and Pan Am’s trans-Atlantic routes in 1991 further solidified its international presence, making Delta the leading airline across the Atlantic[2][6][7]. Delta also introduced customer-centric innovations such as the first U.S. frequent-flyer program in 1981 and in 1997 became the first airline to board over 100 million passengers in a year[2]. However, the airline faced challenges, filing for bankruptcy in 2005 due to rising fuel costs but successfully restructuring and rebuffing a hostile takeover. In 2008, Delta merged with Northwest Airlines, creating the world’s largest airline at the time, with an extensive global network covering more than 290 destinations on six continents[3][6][7]. Today, Delta is recognized for its operational excellence, customer experience, and sustainability initiatives, including a commitment to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. Its journey from crop dusting to a leading global airline reflects a century of innovation, resilience, and strategic growth, making it a key player in the business and