Crunchyroll To Launch On Delta Air Lines Flights Later In 2025

Delta Air Lines will add a curated slate of anime from Crunchyroll to its in‑flight entertainment later this year in 2025, expanding access on both seatback screens and through the Delta Sync Wi‑Fi experience tied to SkyMiles logins. The companies have not named a start date or listed specific series, but they’ve confirmed that SkyMiles members will receive an exclusive 24‑hour Crunchyroll trial that can be activated in flight and used after landing.

Delta says the content will appear across its more than 169,000 seatback screens and within Delta Sync, which is currently available on 900+ aircraft. Terms and exclusions for the trial will be shared closer to rollout.

Core details reported by outlets

Trade and consumer outlets report identical core details:

• Curated anime for seatbacks arriving later in 2025
• Access via Delta Sync for personal devices
• A time‑limited 24‑hour Crunchyroll trial for SkyMiles members

Coverage also cites Crunchyroll’s broader library scale—approximately 2,000 titles, 50,000 episodes, and 25,000 hours—while stressing that the onboard collection will be a curated subset. According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, both companies plan to release further specifics nearer deployment, and the launch window remains “later this year” (2025).

Executive context and intent

Crunchyroll President Rahul Purini framed anime as well suited to long flights because travelers can either spend hours with one series or sample many shows, then continue on the Crunchyroll app after landing within the 24‑hour window.

Delta’s Julieta McCurry, who leads In‑Flight Entertainment and Connectivity, positioned the deal as part of the airline’s push for “industry‑leading entertainment” that mirrors customer interests, with something for both newcomers and longtime fans. While neither executive named titles, their comments signal a mix of easy entry points and deeper catalogs once the program goes live.

Media coverage from CNET, Anime News Network, Kidscreen, and ScreenRant aligns on timing and scope, underscoring that this marks Crunchyroll’s first announced in‑flight partnership. For the Sony‑affiliated platform—trade outlets put it at roughly 17 million global subscribers—the airline channel opens a new front for discovery: passengers who taste a show at 35,000 feet can finish it on the ground with the trial.

For Delta Air Lines, the move extends an aggregation strategy that already includes entertainment partners like Paramount+, DirecTV, and Spotify—now adding a dedicated anime lane for a fast‑growing global audience.

Rollout plan and how access will work

While the initial catalog, aircraft sequence, and route coverage are pending, the companies have mapped out two access paths:

1. Seatback screens
   • Once the rollout begins later in 2025, flyers can browse a Crunchyroll category within Delta’s in‑flight entertainment menu.
   • Passengers will be able to watch from the curated lineup at no extra cost as part of Delta’s IFE.
2. Personal devices via Delta Sync
   • Connect to onboard Wi‑Fi and log in with SkyMiles credentials to enter the Delta Sync experience.
   • Look for partner offers and activate the exclusive 24‑hour Crunchyroll trial during the flight.
   • Continue watching on the Crunchyroll app after landing until the 24‑hour window ends (final terms will be detailed closer to launch).

Delta emphasizes breadth—more seatback screens than any other U.S. carrier and Delta Sync on more than 900 aircraft—suggesting a wide footprint once content is deployed.

Outstanding questions and missing details

• Exact launch date
• Rollout order by fleet type
• Whether regional variations will apply
• Specific subtitle and dub language options
• Details on parental controls and content labeling

These items remain unanswered; the firms say they’ll share specifics closer to launch.

Impact on travelers — practical benefits

For international travelers, especially students and workers moving between the United States 🇺🇸 and Asia or Latin America, this addition could make multi‑leg journeys feel shorter. Many flyers in immigrant communities already rely on anime to keep kids engaged or to unwind between border checks and connections.

• Parents who prefer seatback screens because they don’t drain a child’s tablet will likely welcome curated anime on the main screen.
• Teens and adults can sample new series on their phones through Delta Sync without purchasing a full subscription immediately.

There are also practical benefits for frequent international flyers:

• Long‑haul routes often mean device batteries are precious; using the seatback screen can help save battery for arrival tasks like rideshare or hotel check‑in.
• Many travelers need to confirm or print their I‑94 after landing; you can retrieve and review your arrival record at the U.S. Customs and Border Protection site here: https://i94.cbp.dhs.gov. That official government page is the fastest way to see your current I‑94, which is important for students, workers, and visitors who may need it for I‑9 verification, driver’s licenses, or school onboarding.

What this means for flyers and airlines

The partnership points to a broader shift in how airlines blend entertainment and loyalty. By tying premium content to a SkyMiles login, Delta encourages free membership sign‑ups while giving travelers a clear perk they can use in flight and after landing.

For Crunchyroll, the 24‑hour trial lowers the barrier for first‑time viewers and gives fans a reason to line up their watchlist before boarding. If you’re a SkyMiles member who doesn’t usually stream anime, the ability to try a show risk‑free during a long segment—then keep watching at the hotel—may turn a casual glance into a habit.

For airlines, adding Crunchyroll reflects a recognition that anime has moved well beyond niche status. The medium spans:

• Action
• Fantasy
• Slice‑of‑life
• Romance
• Sports
• Family‑friendly picks

This range makes anime a flexible category for mixed cabins and global routes. By curating a list for seatbacks and offering a trial for personal devices, Delta can serve diverse tastes without overstuffing the onboard catalog. It also gives the carrier a talking point in the competition for premium leisure and younger travelers who care as much about what they can watch as what they can eat on board.

Remaining caveats and traveler guidance

• Subtitles and dubs are central to comfort—especially on overnight flights.
• Parents will want to know how content is rated and filtered for families.
• Because release rights can differ by region, passengers may see route‑by‑route variation.

The firms say they’ll share specifics closer to launch, with staged communications expected later in 2025 as Delta Sync reaches more of the fleet.

For now, the guidance is straightforward:

1. Make sure your SkyMiles account is active and you know your login.
2. When the program launches, log into Delta Sync on board to see whether the 24‑hour Crunchyroll trial is available on your flight.
3. If you prefer seatbacks, look for the Crunchyroll category and press play.
4. If you start a new series mid‑air, finish it on the ground within the trial window—watch the clock so you don’t run out of time before the finale.

Media outlets across tech and entertainment—from CNET and Anime News Network to Kidscreen and ScreenRant—have described the same building blocks: later‑2025 timing, curated seatback access, a SkyMiles‑tied trial in Delta Sync, and a title list to be announced.

With anime consumption climbing and loyalty programs competing for attention, this deal gives both companies a fresh way to meet flyers where they spend hours each week: in a seat, waiting to land, looking for the next show to make the trip feel shorter.