In commemoration of the 81st Anniversary of D-Day and the Battle of Normandy, Delta Air Lines will operate special charter flights to and from Normandy, France, for the fourth consecutive year.
This year’s charters will mark the fourth time a US passenger airline will fly directly to Normandy, with the others being Delta flights from 2022-2024.
Supporting WWII veterans
Delta’s Normandy Legacy Flight continues to support a first-of-its-kind program that flies World War II veterans and students to Normandy to commemorate the anniversary of the D-Day invasion, honor the heroes’ legacy, and educate the next generation.
This year, Delta and Best Defense Foundation, in partnership with Michelin, will help return about 30 veterans to Normandy.
On May 31, the US carrier will operate a nonstop charter flight from its hub at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) to Deauville (DOL). The return flight will operate on June 9.
Last year, the special charter Flight DL9994 was operated by a Boeing 767-300ER with a celebratory “80th Anniversary D-Day & Battle Of Normandy” decal (as seen in the images above).
In Normandy, the veterans will take part in several commemorative events, honoring the memory, legacy, and sacrifice of the service members to drive cross-cultural connections and education. Speaking about the Normandy Legacy Flight, Delta CEO Ed Bastian said,
"It is our honor and privilege to continue this historic charter and week-long celebration as a journey of remembrance and gratitude dedicated to our World War II heroes. Delta has a deep history of supporting our military service members and veterans, and this program is one of the many ways we live our values in service of those who served us."
As part of the program, each veteran will have a specially trained caregiver courtesy of the Best Defense Foundation. This includes Delta team members from its Veterans Business Resource Group (BRG) and other BRGs.
The airline has also partnered with Aviramp, a UK boarding equipment manufacturer, to ensure a safe and comfortable boarding and deplaning experience for veterans, regardless of their mobility.
Educating the next generation
Delta and the Best Defense Foundation will also take ten students to Normandy as part of its ongoing commitment to honor the legacy of WWII veterans and ensure their stories are never forgotten.
The students will have the opportunity to walk in the footsteps of history alongside the veterans who experienced it. They will visit historic sites and attend the Freedom Prize ceremony in Caen on June 3.
The Best Defense Foundation, founded by Donnie Edwards as a 501(C)(3) nonprofit, is dedicated to supporting all generations of veterans.
It is deeply committed to honoring WWII veterans by returning them to the battlefields they served, granting them a unique opportunity for healing, reflection, camaraderie, and celebration of their courage and sacrifice. Donnie Edwards said,
“Each year, we remain committed to honoring the sacrifices of our WWII veterans by bringing them back to the battlefields where they served. As we return to Normandy for the 81st anniversary, we continue our proud partnership with Delta Air Lines to provide these heroes the opportunity for reflection, remembrance, and camaraderie. Their stories are a living testament to history, and we are grateful to stand beside them as we pay tribute to their legacy.”
Since 2018, veterans have visited several historic sites, including Iwo Jima, Belgium, the Netherlands, Guam, Tinian and Saipan, Normandy, and Germany.
As Normandy President Hervé Morin noted, Normandy continues to show gratitude and recognition to the heroes who liberated its territory, France, and Europe 81 years ago.
Delta’s support of veterans
According to Delta, 11% of its employees are veterans, many of whom continue to serve in the Guard or Reserves. The airline has been supporting veterans and their families through various initiatives for several decades.
These include bringing in new partners to promote access to opportunities for veterans across the enterprise, structuring a robust military pipeline, and serving as a principal funder of four Fisher House Foundation facilities, which allow relatives of military personnel to stay for free while their loved ones receive treatment.
The airline also supports 14 USO chapters through sponsorship and volunteering, contributes to the Marine Toys for Tots campaign, supports Folds of Honor in 19 US markets, and engages in several meaningful partnerships to support armed service members and veterans.
