Delta Air Lines has hit a major milestone in its efforts to make its flights more sustainable: the carrier has achieved one percent fuel burn savings in the first quarter of 2025.
That amounts to a whopping 45 million gallons of jet fuel saved, according to the airline. Delta says it was able to reduce its fuel burn by making its operations more efficient.
The airline implemented changes that added up to big results, such as reducing overall weight on board its planes, optimizing aircraft speed and routes, certifying new landing procedures, and introducing technology to reduce drag—like winglets and lighter landing gear—onto its existing fleet.
On the ground between flights, the airline was able to introduce new technology to track and reduce usage of auxiliary power units (APU), which are smaller engines that run while an aircraft is parked at the gate to provide power and temperature control on the ground.
Delta says that just one minute of APU run-time across its entire system burns 1.2 million gallons of fuel per year. So reducing APU usage is a major focus for the airline.
Another small change with big results is Delta’s new engine cleaning procedures. The carrier says it switched to a foam wash—rather than just using water—which can remove more accumulated dirt and debris and helps engines run more efficiently. That change alone is projected to save 4 million gallons of fuel per year.
Overall, the more efficient changes have so far helped the airline save $110 million in fuel costs. Delta credits the reductions to its internal Carbon Council, which works across the airline’s departments to make operations more sustainable and efficient.
“65 percent of Delta people are in a position daily to directly contribute to our operational KPIs for reducing fuel usage, improving fuel efficiency and driving millions of dollars in cost savings each year that, in turn, contribute to profit sharing,” said Jesse Miers, the director of Delta’s Carbon Council. “It’s a true team effort that adds up quickly.”
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