Next time you take a Delta Air Lines flight, a new onboard experience is waiting. YouTube has signed on with the Atlanta-based carrier as a new partner that will bring a first in in-flight entertainment. Partnership free-ad access to a catalog of YouTube videos, podcasts, and music will see those flights enabled with inflight WiFi to browse the millions of videos available on the platform.
Not only will there be ad-free access to the online video sharing platform, but also SkyMiles Members can unlock up to 14 days free of YouTube Premium, after taking a Delta flight. This will be available without the need to get out your credit card, with no form of payment requirement.
Entertained At 30,000 Feet
Announced in Las Vegas at CES 2025 (Consumer Electronics Show) in January, an annual trade show that focuses on the latest technologies, this has been a long time coming for Delta passengers. This first-of-its-kind partnership saw one of the world’s largest airlines partner with the video sharing platform, in a first of how customers can connect with the world around them while in flight.
Access to a large number of onboard videos, podcasts, music, and more will be rolled out on Delta flights enabled with onboard Sync WiFi, and T-Mobile on personal devices or seat-back screens. The ad-free partnership will play on most flights. Julieta McCurry, Delta’s Vice President of In-Flight Entertainment and Connectivity, explained in a Delta press release:
“This partnership was born from a simple but powerful insight: our customers love YouTube. As two leaders in our respective spaces, each with a legacy of innovation and a deep commitment to serving as agents of human connection, Delta and YouTube are uniquely positioned to deliver an unmatched customer experience – one that meets you where you are and helps you discover more of your world.”
Where To Find YouTube Onboard
Hours upon hours of content will be waiting on your seatback entertainment system, or via streaming through the Delta app on your personal device. Already, Delta is one of the largest carriers that has seatback entertainment, with more than 165,000 screens in circulation, on a total of 930+ aircraft.
Taking off from October 1, Delta SkyMiles members will be able to log in easily via Delta Sync WiFI on personal devices when flying domestically, to unlock a free 14 Day Preview of YouTube Premium.
Not only is the partnership good for passengers, but also for the airline, with boarding music now planned to be powered by YouTube music, seeing a new instrumental pop soundscape expected.
Elevating The Onboard Experience
Delta Sync is the first cloud-based in-flight entertainment infrastructure globally, and the experience includes up to 4K HDR QLED seatback display screens that offer a high-quality, vibrant, theatre-like viewing for passengers. These are powered with Bluetooth capabilities, enabling passengers to pair with their own personal wireless devices.
The mammoth 96-terabyte cloud system is over 50 times the average normal in-flight entertainment system, ensuring that passengers can enjoy a wide range of quality content and experiences. An advanced recommended engine tailors content to the passenger’s preferences, which results in less time doom scrolling for the right show, and more time sitting back and being entertained with your favourite shows.
