Delta Air Lines is looking to speed up sustainability efforts in air travel through the launch of an innovation lab.
The carrier’s Sustainable Skies Lab will focus on existing Delta initiatives around sustainability as well as innovative projects and ways to scale technology to help reach net zero by 2050.
Pam Fletcher, chief sustainability officer of Delta, says the lab will go “beyond financial investments, contributing Delta talent and know-how” to make the airline a testbed for ideas.
“Delta Sustainable Skies Lab is about pairing the operational expertise of our teams with innovators to inspire new ideas and spur industry advancement – it’s a place to showcase advancements and a movement to galvanize everyone with a stake in creating the more sustainable future of flight,” she says.
Subscribe to our newsletter below
The airline’s 2050 sustainability strategy is pinned on two pillars: eliminating Delta’s impact on the climate from flying and embedding sustainability in everything it does.
According to the airline, the Sustainable Skies Lab will support this strategy through an “internal innovation culture” and innovative partnerships.
Delta has already announced a sustainability partnership with Airbus and investment in Joby Aviation as well as a research collaboration with MIT.
Other airlines have also announced sustainability initiatives in recent months from the purchase of sustainable aviation fuel and offsetting projects to a corporate venture fund from United, investment in a climate solutions fund from Jetblue Ventures and investment in electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft from a number of carriers.
Delta recently also announced a plan to make Wi-Fi free to all at a cost of $1 billion.