80 Years Since D-Day: Delta Flies WWII Veterans to Normandy
In commemoration of the 80th anniversary of the D-Day invasion, Delta Air Lines flew World War II veterans to Normandy on June 6th. The US carrier operated its annual charter service to honor the veterans who participated in the historic event.
Delta's yearly roundtrip service to Normandy began in 2022. Before that, veterans and guests were flown into Paris and then transported by bus to Normandy. The idea to fly directly from Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) to Deauville Saint Gatien Airport (DOL) was suggested by a Delta employee who is a Normandy native. This direct service has been a feature since 2022, using Delta's Boeing 767-300ER aircraft under flight number DL9994.
This year's flight, operated on June 2nd, carried 48 veterans, including two flown in from the west coast via Delta's private jet partner, Wheels Up. The veterans enjoyed business-class meals and Hershey chocolate bars, a nostalgic nod to the treats they received during World War II.
Delta Air Lines has been praised for making the journey memorable for the veterans, with efforts to provide a comfortable and nostalgic experience. Simple Flying has reached out to Delta for more details on the special arrangements made for the veterans on this flight.
Other Contributions
American Airlines also participated in commemorating this event by flying nearly 70 World War II veterans. The airline hosted a 40s-era dinner with a big band at its headquarters in Dallas, Texas, to celebrate the veterans' contributions.
Despite these efforts, the US Department of Transport (US DoT) has criticized several major airlines for not doing enough to support veterans, the military, and their families. The DoT has created a dashboard on their website to display which airlines are supporting the "Support Our Troops" program.
The Role of Aviation in WWII
Aviation played a crucial role during World War II, significantly contributing to the success of the D-Day campaign. The US Air Force (USAF) and the UK's Royal Air Force (RAF) were instrumental, with American fighter aircraft such as the P-51D Mustang and the B-26 Marauder, and British aircraft like the Supermarine Spitfire, Hawker Hurricane, and Hawker Typhoon.
Last year, the D-Day Squadron planned to fly a Douglas DC-3 from the US to Europe to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the Normandy Landings and the 75th anniversary of the Berlin Airlift. The DC-3 was set to be joined by C-47s once in Europe, symbolizing the significant contribution of aviation to the war effort.
