Delta to up the reverse-screen game, expand Bluetooth — and launch SkyMiles partnership with Uber

Delta Air Lines is jumping on the Bluetooth bandwagon. Starting in 2026, the Atlanta-based carrier will begin rolling out Bluetooth connectivity on most planes and cabins, allowing passengers on their new flight to pair their Apple AirPods or other wireless listening devices to its inflight entertainment system.

Delta announced its new Bluetooth plans on Tuesday in a keynote speech at the Las Vegas Sphere, held as part of CES, one of the largest electronics shows in the world – and among the biggest conventions every year in Las Vegas.

As part of the presentation, Delta executives revealed that these enhanced Bluetooth capabilities will be part of a larger in-flight entertainment program on its new planes — which will include new, high-quality rear screens and newly announced, ad-free streaming. partnership with YouTube.

Improving to remove a bit? Airlines say many passengers pay for those first class seats

Also, the airline announced a new partnership with the Uber service that will launch later this spring, allowing customers to earn SkyMiles for rides.

Delta extends the rear Bluetooth connection

Today, Delta passengers can only pair their Bluetooth wireless devices with a small portion of the carrier’s inflight screens. Exclusively, only in the first class cabin of its Airbus A321neo jets.

That limited Bluetooth rollout, as TPG reported in 2022, was part of a trial as Delta considers expanding the technology to more planes — and more cabins. Since then, airlines — Delta among them — have doubled down on rear screens. And Bluetooth-enabled headphones have, of course, grown in popularity.

Which Delta flights will get Bluetooth?

Now, one caveat: So far, Delta hasn’t announced any plans to use Bluetooth throughout its fleet. The carrier said on Tuesday that the technology will begin to appear on new aircraft deliveries next year.

Specifically, Delta plans to install the new technology on future Airbus A350-1000 jets, and A321neos from mid-2026, an official said on Tuesday. Also planned is the final delivery of the Boeing 737 MAX 10 which is yet to be confirmed.

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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 a Delta One ticket or basic 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.

A major technological advance has been announced in Vegas

For Delta’s part, its Bluetooth announcement came as part of a larger in-flight entertainment program unveiled Tuesday at the Sphere in a major show that saw the company’s spotlight grace the world-famous venue in Las Vegas.

Over the years Delta has used CES to announce some new technology. Back in 2020, CEO Ed Bastian used his keynote speech to preview the airline’s plans to make in-flight Wi-Fi free – the complimentary service is now available on more than 700 Delta jets for passengers with SkyMiles memberships.

The extended Bluetooth connectivity that Delta fliers will begin seeing in 2026 is made possible by new seatback entertainment systems the carrier will introduce on some new aircraft scheduled to join the fleet.

The 4K HDR QLED screens will provide what Delta calls a “theatre-like viewing experience.”

And it’s not just hardware changes.

The carrier on Tuesday announced a new partnership with the YouTube giant, which will allow passengers to access YouTube Premium and YouTube Music ad-free while in flight – accessible via rear screens or personal devices with free Wi-Fi.

Delta’s new screens will also come with a “Do Not Disturb” function, which will allow passengers to alert flight attendants if they don’t want to be woken up for assistance. The system will also offer translation services, allowing passengers to hear inflation announcements in their preferred language.

“Whether it’s through fast, free Wi-Fi, our industry-leading screens or other personalized channels in the Delta digital ecosystem, we’re committed to creating a seamless and enriching experience for our SkyMiles Members,” said Delta CEO Ed Bastian. in a statement before the event on Tuesday.

This “next-generation Delta Sync seatback experience” comes as part of a partnership Delta announced with aerospace firm Thales Avionics.

Uber’s new partnership

Delta also had good news Tuesday for SkyMiles members who frequent Uber rides.

Later this spring, the airline and transportation service will launch a new partnership that allows SkyMiles members to link their account with Uber and earn Delta miles for eligible rides and deliveries.

Once live, SkyMiles benefits on Uber will include:

• 1 mile per dollar spent on UberX rides 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 qualifying restaurant and grocery orders

The companies plan to release more details about the partnership in the coming weeks.

Mobile app gets AI ‘concierge’

Meanwhile, it won’t be a big product announcement in 2025 without an innovation related to artificial intelligence.

Delta says it will infuse its Fly Delta mobile app this year with Delta Concierge, an AI tool that will provide passengers with additional instructions and suggestions on the go — or, as the company puts it, “contextualized guidance and recommendations” throughout the journey.

That could mean an AI “concierge” logging in with information about passport or visa requirements, or offering packing tips based on weather forecasts for your destination.

The move comes as airlines across the US, across the US, have invested significant resources in developing their mobile apps, allowing customers more ways to track bags, rebook them, claim lost luggage and be notified of important announcements with features such as “live transactions . . .

For Delta specifically, these hardware and software upgrades will go hand-in-hand with the updated interior of its cabins that are expected to start appearing on some new jets later this year – as well as retrofits on existing planes planned for the coming years, too.

The company used its CES appearance as a way to simultaneously celebrate its 100th anniversary – aided by an exhibition inside the Sphere – and reveal its vision for the future.

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