Paying tribute to Delta, my home airline, I continue ‘Delta Air Lines – The History In Magazine Advertising’ series, dedicated to Delta’s 85th Anniversary.
As in previous posts, I start with history facts and finish with the images of magazine advertisements. Today’s subjects are The History of Delta’s Logo and Magazine Ads From 1960s.

Delta Air Lines Logos

Delta Airlines Logo 1928 1928-1966
Originally created in 1925 for the Huff Daland Dusting Company. Thor, the Norse god of thunder, war and agriculture, symbolizes the fight against the boll weevil insect in the 1920s.
Delta Airlines Logo 1929 1929-1930
First passenger service logo featured Mercury, the Roman god of travel and commerce. The triangle represents the “D” of the Greek alphabet, which is “Delta.”
Delta Airlines Logo 1934 1934-1951
This winged triangle logo represents the Greek letter “Delta” and was used from 1934-1951. From 1934-1939, often seen the inscription “AM 24” (Air Mail Route 24) inside triangle.
Delta Airlines Logo 1945 1945-1953
The “Flying D” logo was used by Delta from 1945-1953, with variations of the logo appearing up to 1959.
Delta Airlines Logo 1953 1953-1955
Delta-C&S logo combines Delta’s “Flying D” logo and Chicago & Southern Air Lines, which merged with Delta on May 1, 1953. For two years, the airline was known as Delta-C&S.
Delta Airlines Logo 1955 1955-1959
Return to the “Flying D” logo used before merger with Chicago and Southern Air Lines.
Delta Airlines Logo 1959 1959-2007
The Delta jet red and blue “widget” logo was introduced on the first Delta jet in 1959 and was used in some variation until 2007.
Delta Airlines Logo 1959 Royal Jet Service 1959
Jet “widget” logo introduced during Delta’s “Royal JET Service” promotion for its first jet, the Douglas DC-8, in 1959.
Delta Airlines Logo 1959-1965 1959-1960
Sideways widget logo represented the speed of jets.
Delta Airlines Logo 1962 1962-1965
Widget in oval logo.
Delta Airlines Logo 1963 1963-1993
Large widget extends over the top of the word DELTA. “AIR LINES” may be included in smaller letters.
Delta Airlines Logo 1976 1976
U.S. Bicentennial logo.
Delta Airlines Logo 1980 1980-1990
Widget + Delta logo.
Delta Airlines Logo 1985 April 1, 1985
Signature Service logo.
Delta Airlines Logo 1993 1993-1995
Full corporate name logo.
Delta Airlines Logo 1995 1995-2000
Full corporate name logo updated.
Delta Airlines Logo 2000 2000-2004
Updated Widget Logo. Dropped the words “Air” and “Lines” from the previous logo and softening the arch in the triangle.
Delta Airlines Logo 2004 2004-2007
Based on employee feedback and nostalgia associated with Delta’s 75th anniversary, the Heritage Widget replaced the softer widget logo.
Delta Airlines Logo 2007 2007-Present
3-dimensional red widget logo. On April 30, 2007, Delta Air Lines presented a completely new look, the same day the airline emerged from bankruptcy. The triangle is now all red, with one side in a slightly darker shade to give the symbol some depth.

Delta Air Lines Magazine Ads From 1960’s

Delta was the first airline to use Jet Service. In 1959, with introduction of the Jets, the airline’s slogan is The Airline with the BIG JETS, and most of the advertisements created with this slogan in mind. In the end of 1960s, Delta highlighted the importance of customer service in its “The One…” advertising campaign- The One Plane Airline, The One Family Airline, The One Passenger Airline, etc.

Click on image to view full size.

1960 Delta Airlines World's Fastest Jetliner Convair-880 Magazine Ad

1960 Delta Airlines World’s Fastest Jetliner Convair-880 Magazine Ad

1960 Delta Airlines Living Room Comfort Convair-880 Jet Liner Magazine Ad

1960 Delta Airlines Living Room Comfort Convair-880 Jet Liner Magazine Ad

1960 Delta Airlines Fastest Quietest Most Luxurious Convair-880 Magazine Air

1960 Delta Airlines Fastest Quietest Most Luxurious Convair-880 Magazine Air

1964 Delta Airlines World's Fair Print Ad

1964 Delta Airlines World’s Fair Print Ad

1966 Delta Airlines Jet To Her Side Print Ad

1966 Delta Airlines Jet To Her Side Print Ad

1966 Delta Airlines Stewardess Flight Attendant 4 Good Reasons Print Ad

1966 Delta Airlines Stewardess Flight Attendant 4 Good Reasons Print Ad

1967 Version of the Ad above :)

1967 Version of the Ad above :)

1967 Delta Airlines The One Plane Airline Print Ad

1967 Delta Airlines The One Plane Airline Print Ad

1968 Delta Airlines One Family Print Ad

1968 Delta Airlines One Family Print Ad

1968 Delta Airlines One Passenger Airline Print Ad

1968 Delta Airlines One Passenger Airline Print Ad

1968 Delta Airlines One Stewardess Airline Print Ad

1968 Delta Airlines One Stewardess Airline Print Ad

1969 Delta Airlines Stewardess Flight Attendant No Floor Show Print Ad

1969 Delta Airlines Stewardess Flight Attendant No Floor Show Print Ad

1969 Delta Airlines Ticket For Speeding Print Ad

1969 Delta Airlines Ticket For Speeding Print Ad

Reference: Delta.com, DeltaMuseum.org, Wikipedia.org