YouTube takes to the skies thanks to partnership with Delta Airlines
YouTube and Delta Airlines join forces to bring YouTube Music, podcasts, and creator content to the clouds.
YouTube takes flight
YouTube is officially airborne. In a new partnership with Delta Airlines, YouTube is taking its videos, podcasts, and music playlists to the skies. The collaboration will see select YouTube and YouTube Music content integrated into Delta’s in-flight entertainment systems.
It’s not just about killing time mid-flight. The partnership helps both parties achieve their goals, as YouTube and Delta both strive for “industry-leading entertainment experiences” within their respective fields.
“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.”
Julieta McCurry, Delta’s Vice President of In-Flight Entertainment and Connectivity
The partnership is rolling out now to the 165,000+ seatback screens across Delta’s more than 930 aircraft.
What to expect onboard
Even before you board, the experience begins to take shape. YouTube and YouTube Music branding will be seen across Delta lounges, gate screens, and the boarding areas. As you’re boarding, you’ll be greeted by music powered by YouTube Music’s playlists, setting the tone for the flight ahead for all ages.
Once you’re seated, Delta’s seatback screens will be looking a little familiar too. You’ll find a large library of content, from 32 YouTube Music playlists and over 20 hours of videos and podcasts from popular creators like MrBeast and Mel Robbins.
US SkyMiles Members can even connect to Delta’s fast, free Wi-Fi to unlock the full YouTube Premium experience for 14 days, without requiring any form of payment. That means ad-free viewing, background play, and offline access to their favorite videos and music.
What it means for artists and creators
For artists and creators, this partnership means new visibility. Delta serves around 200 million customers each year, and this puts artist and creator content directly in front of those millions.
For music artists specifically, it also offers a new way to get discovered by listeners mid-flight. This spans across genres too, considering that the playlists are curated to suit different moods and audiences. Combine that with the YouTube Premium trial, and more people might discover (and later subscribe to) ad-free listening through YouTube Music- which could even put more money into the streaming ecosystem.
The bigger picture
YouTube’s partnership with Delta follows a similar move earlier this year when YouTube Music was added to Waymo’s robotaxis– another sign that the platform wants to be everywhere audiences are, even on the move.
From driverless cars to commercial flights, YouTube is steadily expanding its reach beyond just your personal devices. For artists and creators, that means more opportunities for their content to be heard, seen, and streamed no matter where people are headed.