Delta Ties Loyalty and Live Entertainment Through Sphere Partnership

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All images via Delta Air Lines

Delta Air Lines has announced a multi-year partnership with Sphere Entertainment in Las Vegas that brings the airline’s SKY360° Club concept to one of the world’s most recognizable entertainment venues. Under the agreement, Delta becomes the official airline of Sphere and will open a Delta SKY360° Club inside the venue. The lounge marks Sphere’s first branded hospitality space while furthering Delta’s presence into live entertainment and cultural experiences.

The Official Airline of the Sphere

Under the new partnership, Delta and Sphere Entertainment will introduce a Delta SKY360° Club as Sphere’s first branded hospitality space, while also creating new premium access opportunities for SkyMiles Members through the SkyMiles Experiences platform. The initiative connects live entertainment with Delta’s loyalty ecosystem, enabling members to access special-event packages and exclusive Sphere programming. Together, the offerings highlight Delta’s focus on connecting customers not only to destinations, but to experiences that make travel meaningful.

“We are proud to welcome Delta as our partner on two firsts for Sphere, our first official airline and first branded hospitality space.”
– Marcus Ellington, Sphere

“At Delta, our mission is to make every journey matter, and that extends beyond the flight,” said Delta Chief Marketing Officer Alicia Tillman. “Just as we connect people to the places and experiences that matter most, this partnership allows us to bring that same spirit of connection and innovation to one of the most iconic venues in the world.”  

Completed in 2023 at a cost of US$2.3 billion, making it the most expensive entertainment venue built in the Las Vegas Valley, the Sphere was designed as a next-generation space for immersive concerts and events. The facility features wraparound LED visuals and advanced audio technology, with seating for 17,600 guests and a total capacity of roughly 20,000, including standing room.

Delta’s role at Sphere extends beyond naming rights. The airline will maintain a prominent presence on the Exosphere, the venue’s 580,000-square-foot exterior LED surface, along with signage and digital integrations throughout the building. The visibility supports Delta’s broader brand strategy of linking travel with culture, technology, and premium lifestyle experiences.

The partnership also builds on Delta’s recent ties to Sphere and Las Vegas. In January 2025, Delta CEO Ed Bastian delivered the first-ever CES keynote inside Sphere, using immersive visuals and 4D effects to mark the airline’s 100th anniversary and its focus on using technology to enhance the travel experience.

“Delta and Sphere share a commitment to innovation, technology, and connecting people through world-class experiences,” said Sphere Executive Vice President Ad Sales and Sponsorships Marcus Ellington. “We are proud to welcome Delta as our partner on two firsts for Sphere, our first official airline and first branded hospitality space, and we look forward to building on this collaboration, offering guests an elevated experience and showcasing the best of each of our brands.”

Delta Brings the SKY360° Club Experience to Sphere

​​The centerpiece of the partnership is the Delta SKY360° Club at Sphere, which is open on the event level. Delta’s lounge offers guests a more intimate, premium space to enjoy live concerts, Sphere Experiences like The Wizard of Oz at Sphere, and other special events.

While Delta has previously introduced SKY360° Clubs at major sports venues, including New York’s Yankee Stadium and Madison Square Garden, the Sphere lounge represents a new evolution of the concept. Recent headlines announced that Sphere is now planning to open a second, smaller US venue with a capacity of 6,000 at National Harbor, Maryland; one of a network of many similar sites across the country. It remains to be seen whether Delta will continue to expand its presence across new Sphere venues once they open in years to come.

The first Sphere lounge certainly into Delta’s broader loyalty strategy, which places increasing emphasis on experience-based access for SkyMiles Members. Airlines and credit card partners continue to lean on exclusive events to attract premium customers. As part of that effort, Delta has already begun offering SkyMiles auctions for experiences at Sphere, including access to a Backstreet Boys performance on February 13. The approach reinforces Delta’s view of SkyMiles as more than a frequent flyer program, positioning it as a gateway to cultural moments that extend beyond traditional travel.