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October 29 2025
100 Days to the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026: Delta unveils custom aircraft, Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games

Delta is celebrating 100 days to the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026 with a custom Team USA livery and the release of unforgettable packages giving Members the chance to attend.

With 100 days to go to the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026, Delta is celebrating with a custom Team USA livery and the release of unforgettable packages giving Members the chance to attend the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. 

Read on to learn more about these announcements and the 100,000 Delta people standing behind this year’s athletes as the ‘Team Behind the Team’ — ensuring every athlete, coach, family member and piece of equipment arrives ready for competition. 

A new chapter takes flight: Team USA Milano Cortina livery revealed

Delta has unveiled its newest aircraft livery, designed to honor the spirit of the athletes who represent Team USA on the world stage at Milano Cortina 2026. Designed by Alex Brannon, Art Director at Delta, and created by Delta’s in-house creative agency, Window Seat, the custom Airbus A350 took over a year to bring to life. 

The aircraft features Delta’s latest interiors, introduced last year, including modern materials, ambient lighting across all cabins and a refreshed color palette all designed to enhance comfort and elevate the onboard experience.

As Delta’s premier international widebody, the Airbus A350 was selected to carry the special Team USA Milano Cortina livery — symbolizing the aircraft’s global reach and the airline’s commitment to connecting the world to this iconic celebration of sport.

The design features 26 stripes to represent 2026, the year of the Olympic & Paralympic Winter Games. The stripe design pulls inspiration from Milan’s rolling landscapes and symbolizes the city in motion toward the future. 

Livery Fast Facts
  • Initial livery designs began in September 2024.
  • Five designers created a variety of options, with the final design going through 20+ revisions.
  • Over 72 paint colors were used for the gradient and lines.
  • The blue gradient features the same blue from the Beijing edition of the Team USA livery; both Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games planes are connected by the color. 

“Our Team USA livery for Milano Cortina represents the journey of excellence, resilience and the drive to Keep Climbing that defines both Team USA and Delta,” said Delta's Chief Marketing Officer Alicia Tillman. “As we prepare to carry athletes, families and fans to Milan, this livery is a visual promise of the world-class experience they can expect. It reflects Delta’s belief that meaningful journeys start with intention, and this aircraft is a symbol of that purpose in motion — connecting Team USA to their dreams and Delta to its mission.”

The newest livery will take flight later this year and customers can start spotting it flying from some of Delta’s main U.S. hubs to key international destinations. 

Bringing fans closer to the Games

Delta is also releasing packages that offer Members the chance to cheer on Team USA in person at the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games in Milano Cortina. These once-in-a-lifetime packages will be available via auction through the SkyMiles Experiences platform and include the below offerings:

  • Feb 4–8 | Milan, Italy: Access to three events: Opening Ceremony (Milano San Siro Olympic Stadium), Women's Ice Hockey Preliminary Round #3 (Milano Rho Ice Hockey Arena), and Women's Speed Skating 3000m (Milano Speed Skating Stadium). Hotel and airport transfer included.
  • Feb 16–20 | Milan, Italy: Access to three events: Men’s/Women’s Team Pursuit Gold Medal Round (Milano Speed Skating Stadium), Men’s 500m Quarter/Semi/Final + Women’s 3000m Relay Finals (Milano Ice Skating Arena), and Women’s Hockey Bronze Medal (Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena). Hotel and airport transfer included.
  • March 13–16 | Cortina, Italy: Access to three events: Para Snowboarding Men & Women Banked Slalom Final and Para Alpine Skiing Men’s Slalom Final, plus the Paralympics Closing Ceremony. Hotel and airport transfer included.
  • March 14–16 | Milan, Italy: Access to two events: Para Ice Hockey Semifinals and Gold Medal Final (Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena). Hotel and airport transfer included.

“Our partnership with Team USA reflects Delta’s commitment to connecting people through shared passions,” Tillman said. “These curated packages offer our Members unique opportunities to engage with Team USA at the Olympic and Paralympic Games, highlighting once-in-a-lifetime experiences for our Members.”

The team behind the team: Delta’s operational excellence powers Team USA’s journey

As the Official Airline of Team USA, Delta will once again manage the intricate logistics of transporting U.S. Olympic and Paralympic athletes — and their gear, families and fans — to the Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games. 

Delta’s commitment to excellence ensures that every flight is more than just a trip — it’s a launchpad for potential. In line with Delta’s operational promise to its customers, the airline’s Operations and Customer Center, pilots, flight attendants and Airport Customer Service agents are prepared to deliver seamless travel to all traveling with Delta this winter, complete with the welcoming, elevated care Delta people are known for. In fact, planning for Milano Cortina 2026 began immediately after the Olympic and Paralympic Games Paris 2024. 

Team USA will depart from dozens of U.S. cities, connecting seamlessly to Delta’s direct flights to Milan via ATL and JFK. And as the largest U.S. carrier in Italy, Delta looks forward to carrying both Team USA and our customers to Italian destinations this upcoming season. 

Beyond Milan, Delta’s global network offers access to premier ski destinations around the world that echo the spirit of the Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games. With daily routes to iconic U.S. Mountain towns like Aspen, Vail and Bozeman, or international ski destinations in Japan and Patagonia, Delta connects travelers to slopes across the globe year-round. Whether you're chasing snow or cheering on Team USA, Delta is your gateway to world-class winter adventures. 

And behind each of those journeys is a coordinated effort powered by Delta’s employees — a ballet of logistics, care and precision that ensures every athlete, coach and family member arrives ready to compete.

How DOES Delta carry large equipment, such as skis and snowboards? 

As Team USA gears up for Milano Cortina 2026, we’re proud to carry the skis, snowboards, and spirit of the athletes who inspire a nation. Behind the scenes, Delta’s Airport Customer Service (ACS) teams—both above and below wing—play a critical role in handling oversized items like skis and snowboards with precision and care.

Above wing: Setting the stage for smooth travel
Delta’s above-wing ACS agents are the first point of contact for customers traveling with large equipment. At check-in, they guide travelers through the oversized baggage process, ensuring items meet Delta’s specifications and are properly tagged for special handling. These agents are trained to recognize the unique needs of sports equipment and communicate with below-wing teams to coordinate safe transport. Read more on Delta’s policy here.

Below wing: Precision in motion
Once the gear is tagged and ready, Delta’s below-wing ACS teams take over. These ramp agents are experts in handling oversized and irregularly shaped items. Skis and snowboards are loaded into designated compartments within the aircraft’s cargo hold, often using specialized containers or padding to prevent damage during transit. The teams follow strict protocols to ensure weight distribution and secure placement.

Delta’s oversized baggage process is designed to be seamless for customers and secure for their equipment. Once checked, oversized items are tracked throughout their journey using Delta’s internal logistics systems. In many cases, customers can monitor their baggage status via the Fly Delta app, offering peace of mind from check-in to arrival.

“Supporting Team USA on their journey to Milano Cortina is a meaningful mission that our full team takes on,” said Richard Cox, Senior Vice President of Airport Customer Service. “From the moment athletes check in to the final touchdown in Italy, our ACS teams are behind the scenes making it all happen — coordinating oversized gear, managing tight connections and ensuring every detail is handled with care. It’s a massive logistical effort, but it’s also deeply personal. We know we’re not just moving bags — we’re helping move athletes to gold.”

Team Delta: Athlete ambassadors inspiring the journey 

Delta recently announced its roster of athlete ambassadors ahead of Milano Cortina 2026, bringing together a dynamic group of Olympians and Paralympians. These athletes represent the spirit of excellence, resilience and unity that defines both Team USA and Delta’s commitment to meaningful journeys.

Delta’s full roster of athlete ambassadors will serve as storytellers and cultural connectors throughout the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, sharing their journeys with fans and inspiring the next generation.

As the world turns its attention to Milano Cortina 2026, Delta is proud to stand alongside Team USA. From the unveiling of a livery that symbolizes intention in motion, to the release of unforgettable packages and the operational excellence that powers every journey, Delta is committed to making every mile matter. With 100,000 employees behind the scenes and a team of inspiring athlete ambassadors leading the way, Delta is ready to carry the spirit of the Games forward — one meaningful journey at a time.

Download the video and images from this article.

Related Topics: Team USAOlympics