Anime fans flying with Delta Air Lines will soon find curated content from Crunchyroll available in-flight. The airline announced today a partnership with the Sony-owned anime streaming giant to bring selected series to seatback screens and offer free Wi-Fi streaming.
Starting this week and rolling out fully by early November, episodes from popular shows like Black Clover, Fruits Basket, Horimiya, My Roommate is a Cat, and the recent award-winner Solo Leveling will appear on over 165,000 seatback screens across more than 940 Delta aircraft.
Delta SkyMiles Members connected to the airline’s Delta Sync Wi-Fi service will also receive an exclusive offer for 24 hours of free access to Crunchyroll’s full streaming library, which boasts over 2,000 titles and 50,000 episodes. This offer can be activated during the flight without requiring payment details and used either onboard or after landing. Joining the SkyMiles program is free.
The move acknowledges anime’s significant position in mainstream global culture. A survey commissioned by Crunchyroll indicated that nearly half of Gen Z fans view anime as a meaningful part of their identity.
Sarah Downs, Managing Director of In-Flight Entertainment Engagement & Optimization at Delta, commented on the partnership:
Every Delta flight is an opportunity to discover something new. The world of anime is rich with storytelling and emotion, and Crunchyroll brings that to life in a way that’s perfect for travel. This partnership is a meaningful part of our ongoing commitment to delivering industry-leading entertainment that’s as dynamic and diverse as the customers we serve.
Rahul Purini, President of Crunchyroll, added:
There is nothing better on a long flight than immersing yourself in the rich storytelling and world-building of anime. Fans can go deep on one series or sample one episode of many series – from action to adventure, romance and more. And when they get hooked they can continue their experience on the Crunchyroll app. We are excited to share what we love with Delta customers and go to new heights together.
This collaboration follows similar Delta Sync partnerships with brands like YouTube and Uber, aimed at enhancing the in-flight experience and adding value to the SkyMiles loyalty program.
