Delta Air Lines has introduced a new Delta sports prediction game in partnership with DraftKings for airborne passengers. The new feature, called SkyPicks, brings free sports prediction contests to passengers traveling at high altitudes while remaining in full compliance with federal aviation gambling regulations.
The product is available exclusively to travelers aged 21 and older through the Delta Sync Wi-Fi system. Passengers can access the platform on their personal mobile devices or laptops rather than seatback screens. To ensure the game does not violate a 1962 federal statute barring commercial aircraft gambling, the system excludes buy-ins, deposits, real-money wagering, and financial risk. Instead, users compete for Delta gift cards and individual contest honors.
Participants log in using an existing DraftKings account or set up a new profile before selecting their preferred sports league. Selecting a league unlocks eight to 12 prediction questions centered on a specific game or series of matchups. These questions cover head-to-head player comparisons alongside standard team winner selections. Players have the flexibility to update their picks until game time, preventing late injuries or lineup changes from ruining their entries. In cases where scores tie, outcomes are resolved using predicted total points or runs scored. New contests launch twice each week.
Top-ranking participants can win prizes with the Delta sports prediction game in biweekly single-contest events as well as broader monthly leaderboards. Delta noted that passengers can participate in upcoming contests even if their personal team is not scheduled to play on their flight day. The platform debuted with Major League Baseball contests, while National Football League matchups will be added when that season begins.
The collaboration was first announced at CES in January 2025 before product specifications were finalized. Senator Richard Blumenthal later raised concerns about in-flight sports wagering, prompting both companies to ensure the product omitted betting elements. Sports content accounts for a top-performing category of viewer engagement on Delta, where up to 5,500 daily flights serve more than 200 million passengers annually across six continents.
The launch of the Delta sports prediction game aligns with a broader strategy at DraftKings, which is expanding its audience reach beyond traditional betting platforms. Company executives noted that interaction with sports should extend beyond the game itself to every moment fans care about. Engaging passengers during air travel offers a new point of contact with sports enthusiasts beyond standard sportsbook platforms. The initiative comes as DraftKings works toward integrating its casino, sportsbook, lottery, and prediction-market products into a unified platform, including the recent debut of its in-house prediction exchange known as DKeX.