Delta signs a multi-airport SAF deal with Shell Aviation to scale lower-carbon fuel through 2030

Delta Air Lines is moving to make sustainable aviation fuel, or SAF, a routine part of flying by expanding supply across multiple U.S. airports under a five-year agreement with Shell Aviation. The airline said the collaboration is designed not only to secure fuel, but also to build the operational plumbing needed for SAF to reach aircraft consistently, including delivery, blending and logistics.

The agreement runs through 2030 and targets several key hubs and priority cities. Delta named Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), Portland International Airport (PDX), John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), Logan International Airport (BOS) and Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP) as part of the expansion. Delta said the approach is intended to support long-term, reliable supply rather than isolated deliveries.

In Delta’s description of the plan, Shell Aviation will work with Delta to expand SAF through 2030, building on what it called decades of collaboration on conventional jet fuel. Delta framed the move as supply-diversification and supply-resilience work, saying current uncertainty has reinforced the importance of diversifying fuel sources.

Delta also said the partnership focuses on how fuel reaches planes. It said Shell will support both blended SAF and “neat” SAF deliveries at selected hubs and priority cities. Blended SAF refers to SAF mixed with conventional jet fuel, while neat SAF means SAF delivered without blending, when systems and supply allow it. Delta characterized the effort as an infrastructure-first model aimed at scaling SAF with demand while maintaining operational reliability.

Delta Chief Sustainability Officer Amelia DeLuca said the collaboration is meant to show that scaling SAF is not theoretical, but achievable with real supply chains. She also said the work is about activating supply at scale and creating a model that other players can replicate as the industry expands lower-impact travel.

Shell Aviation’s aviation Americas head, Reema Bari, said the deal is aimed at meeting current fuel needs while contributing to longer-term aviation solutions. The company positioned the agreement as strengthening energy security and supporting a broader transformation of aviation fuel supply, spanning conventional jet fuel, SAF and next-generation innovation.

Delta said the collaboration will also evaluate and advance next-generation SAF technologies, including “alcohol to jet” and “power to liquid” pathways. Alcohol to jet refers to producing fuel from alcohol intermediates, while power to liquid refers to producing liquid fuels from electricity inputs, typically through conversion steps. Delta said this component is intended to help unlock additional supply and further reduce lifecycle emissions over time.

The carrier tied the announcement to its broader SAF momentum. It referenced Delta’s role as an anchor partner in what it called the first-of-its-kind coalition, the Minnesota SAF Hub, describing a shared strategy to decarbonize aviation through scaling SAF production and replacing conventional jet fuel. Delta also said that in 2024, two 7,000-plus-gallon SAF shipments arrived at both Minneapolis-St. Paul (MSP) and Detroit Metropolitan Airport (DTW), calling the deliveries a milestone for Minnesota and Michigan’s aviation history.

Despite the detail on destinations and operational goals, several commercial terms were not disclosed in Delta’s announcement. Delta did not provide the agreement’s expected volumes, pricing, or the specific mechanics of how SAF volumes will be allocated if supply constraints arise. The company also did not state what portion of fuel at each named airport is projected to be SAF versus conventional jet fuel over the five-year period, leaving the pace of adoption unclear.

For now, the immediate item to watch is execution across Delta’s network. The airline said the infrastructure work and delivery capability are central to making SAF part of everyday operations, so updates on whether SAF delivery and blending logistics expand as planned at LAX, PDX, JFK, BOS and MSP could become an early indicator of how quickly the industry can move from pilot deliveries to sustained supply. Longer term, Delta’s stated interest in next-generation pathways like alcohol-to-jet and power-to-liquid will also be a key storyline for reducing lifecycle emissions as supply expands.