Again, Delta Honoured to Fly World War Veterans to Normandy

For the third year in a row, Delta is honored to fly 60 World War II veterans back to Normandy, France, to commemorate the 80th  anniversary of the D-Day invasion that catalyzed the war’s end. This will mark only the third time a U.S. passenger airline will fly directly to Normandy, with the other two being the Delta Charter flights to Normandy in 2022 and 2023.  

In partnership with Best Defense Foundation and the support of Michelin North America, Inc., Delta will provide a special charter flight directly to Deauville, Normandy Airport from Atlanta on June 2 on a Boeing 767-300, returning June 12, to support the veterans as they are recognized and celebrated with parades, school visits, ceremonies, the official D-Day Commemoration and more.  

Best Defense Foundation provides caretakers for each WWII veteran throughout the program, including 15 Delta employees from its Veteran Business Resource Group – who receive special training to provide the safest and most memorable experience for the veterans. The airline is also piloting a volunteer program this year for its employees, which will pair an employee with a WWII veteran to build a relationship and offer support throughout the year. 

Delta is proud to partner with Best Defense Foundation and the globally renowned French company, Michelin, two organizations that share Delta’s value of servant leadership – which in this case means ‘taking care of the ones who took care of us.’  

In addition to honoring these veterans, the program seeks to engage and educate communities across the world so that the legacy of the Greatest Generation will live on. That’s why Best Defense Foundation – in partnership with Delta, Michelin and the Consul General of France – will select students to participate in its Next Generation Program, an opportunity to learn alongside these veterans about D-Day and WWII. 

With 11% of Delta’s employees being veterans and many of them continuing to serve in the Guard or Reserves, Delta’s work to support veterans and their families dates back decades and includes several efforts.