Delta History

Delta's 99 years of history

Discover the unique stories and culture of a company that grew from a crop-dusting operation to a global airline serving more than 275 destinations on six continents. See also Delta News Hub.

Take Off!

Delta was founded on March 2, 1925, as Huff Daland Dusters—the world's first aerial crop-dusting company. As Delta Air Service, the airline's first flights took off on June 17, 1929.

Founder

Founder C.E. Woolman established the "Delta difference": "There is only about two percent difference between success and failure — and that two percent is the determination and singleness of purpose that makes us do things. Without it, we are just another airline — with it, nothing can stop us."

C.E. Woolman's most famous quotes.

Headquarters

Delta’s 1940s headquarters are the oldest surviving buildings of the Atlanta airport. Designated a Historic Aerospace Site in 2011.

July 2:
Delta’s first 2-pilot crews fly the Stinson Model A in 1935.

July 4:
Delta carries air mail in 1934, from Ft. Worth, TX – Charleston, SC.

July 22:
Delivery of the Douglas DC-8—Delta's first jet—in 1959.

July 31:
Delta retires the LockheedL-1011 in 2001, after flying a total of 70 L-1011s since 1973.