For over two decades, those in the know have been collecting trading cards featuring various aircraft from the Delta Air Lines fleet, but it wasn’t until late 2023 that a much wider audience even became aware of the existence of these collectible trading cards when they went viral on TikTok.
While Delta says it has handed out millions of trading cards over the last 22 years, the Atlanta-based carrier says that since the cards went viral, passengers collected more than three million in 2024 alone.
Now, with Delta Air Lines celebrating the fact that it is the first US-based airline to reach its 100 birthday, the carrier has created a special centennial-themed trading card collection, and Ryan Gumm, Delta’s senior vice president of flight operations, is expecting an even bigger surge in demand.
More than five million of the Centennial-themed cards have been produced, featuring aircraft from Delta’s current fleet, including its flagship Airbus A350, as well as the Airbus A330, Boeing 767, and smaller aircraft like the Airbus A220 and A321neo.
To get your hands on one of these trading cards, you simply need ask one of the pilots if he has a trading card to give you the next time you fly with Delta. In fact, if you see a Delta pilot walking through the airport concourse, even if you’re not flying Delta, you score lucky if you ask nicely enough.
If, however, you don’t see yourself getting on a plane anytime soon and are desperate to get your hands on a limited edition trading card, then Delta has, for the first time, created a new way to get one.
From April, when customers purchase a physical Delta gift card on the airline’s official website at delta.com/giftcards, you’ll have the option to add a commemorative gift set featuring two limited-edition Centennial livery trading cards to your order.
For card collectors who do happen to be flying soon, though, the cards are all ready available from many Delta pilots.
“This simple yet impactful interaction between our pilots and customers elevates and enriches the flight experience – and has created meaningful connections and memorable moments along the way,” explains Gumm.
Gumm says the history of Delta’s trading cards can be traced back to 2003 when the airline was preparing to retire its fleet of McDonnell Douglas MD-11s the following year.
To commemorate the event, Delta created a limited edition trading card, and the rest, as they say, is history. Since 2003, Delta has gone on to create 68 unique cards over seven series.
How many have you collected?
