For the fourth consecutive year, Delta is proud to continue its Normandy Legacy Flight, supporting the first-of-its-kind program that flies World War II veterans and students back to Normandy, France to commemorate the anniversary of the D-Day invasion, honour the legacy of these heroes and educate the next generation.
In partnership with Michelin, Delta and Best Defence Foundation will support the return of approximately 30 veterans to Normandy. In addition to supporting the week-long events, the global airline will host a nonstop charter flight directly from Atlanta to Deauville, Normandy Airport on May 31, arriving in Deauville on June 1 and returning to Atlanta on June 9. This will mark only the fourth time a U.S. passenger airline will fly directly to Normandy, with the other three being the Delta charter flights from 2022-2024.
While there, veterans will participate in a series of special commemorative events that honour the memory, legacy and sacrifice of the service members – fuelling cross-cultural connection and education.
“It is our honour and privilege to continue this historic charter and week-long celebration as a journey of remembrance and gratitude, dedicated to our World War II heroes,” said Delta CEO Ed Bastian. “Delta has a deep history of supporting our military service members and veterans, and this program is one of the many ways we live our values in service of those who served us.”
As part of the program, Best Defence Foundation provides caregivers for each WWII veteran throughout the trip, including Delta team members from its Veterans Business Resource Group (BRG) and other BRGs. BRG volunteers will receive specialized training and be paired 1:1 with veterans, cultivating an environment for ongoing support and meaningful connection.
Delta has also partnered with Aviramp, an award-winning UK manufacturer of boarding equipment, to provide a safe and comfortable boarding and deplaning experience for the veterans, regardless of their mobility.
“Each year, we remain committed to honouring the sacrifices of our WWII veterans by bringing them back to the battlefields where they served,” said Donnie Edwards – President and Co-Founder Best Defence Foundation. “As we return to Normandy for the 81st anniversary, we continue our proud partnership with Delta Air Lines to provide these heroes the opportunity for reflection, remembrance, and camaraderie. Their stories are a living testament to history, and we are grateful to stand beside them as we pay tribute to their legacy.”
As part of Delta’s ongoing commitment to honour the legacy of WWII veterans and ensure their stories are never forgotten, the airline will once again partner with the Best Defence Foundation to bring 10 students through its NextGen Program to Normandy. This fully immersive experience will allow students to walk in the footsteps of history alongside the veterans who lived it, visiting historic sites and attending the Freedom Prize ceremony in Caen on June 3.
“Eighty-one years after the D-Day landings, Normandy continues to show its gratitude and eternal recognition to the heroes who liberated its territory, France, and Europe at the risk of their lives,” said Hervé Morin – President of Normandy. “It will be a great honour for me to welcome these veterans, like previous years, to the Abbaye aux Dames in Caen to celebrate this great moment in the history of humanity and the return of democracy and peace. We are honoured by their participation along with the American students at the Freedom Prize ceremony.”
