Paddle Your Own Kanoo
• Mateusz Maszczynski
Delta Air Lines will begin daily? nonstop service between Atlanta and Riyadh on Oct. 23, 2026, marking its first route to Saudi Arabia and the first nonstop connection between the U.S. and Riyadh operated by a U.S. airline. The move also deepens Delta’s partnership with Riyadh Air amid regional unrest.
Delta Air Lines
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Delta Air Lines will begin daily? nonstop service between Atlanta and Riyadh on Oct. 23, 2026, marking its first route to Saudi Arabia and the first nonstop connection between the U.S. and Riyadh operated by a U.S. airline. The move also deepens Delta’s partnership with Riyadh Air amid regional unrest.
Delta and DraftKings have launched SkyPicks, an inflight sports “gaming” offering, as the companies emphasize that the product is not gambling. The partnership expands Delta’s onboard passenger experience into sports engagement while requiring careful positioning around the distinction between gaming and wagering.
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Two Delta Air Lines aircraft reportedly came into close proximity at Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport on Monday evening, with TCAS collision-avoidance alerts triggered in both cockpits during an aborted landing/go-around. One involved flight had already been delayed after a diversion before the go-around. The FAA is investigating the incident.
United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby reportedly contacted Delta Air Lines CEO Ed Bastian about pursuing a potential merger in 2025, according to coverage tied to the Chicago O’Hare executive dialogue. The discussion signals renewed consolidation interest between the two major carriers.
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Saudia Cargo and Riyadh Cargo have signed an interline agreement to give freight forwarders and logistics partners broader network access, enhanced routing options, and improved cargo connectivity through Saudi Arabia. In parallel, Saudia Cargo has launched a scheduled Riyadh–Melbourne freighter route to extend its international cargo network.
American Airlines says it is pursuing a long-term strategy to narrow its profitability gap with Delta Air Lines and United Airlines. The carrier is also preparing for a new widebody aircraft order and dismissed the possibility of a merger with United, signaling continued focus on network and fleet execution.
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Delta Air Lines joined Minnesota officials to celebrate the opening of a new sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) blending facility serving Minneapolis–St. Paul Airport. The project is designed to expand SAF access at Delta’s second-largest hub, adding a second MSP SAF facility for supply growth.
Delta and other carriers have announced new sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) initiatives, but the cluster’s central message is that meeting airline SAF targets will require a major “step-change” in technology advancements. The road to net-zero ambitions remains steep despite growing commitments.
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