DraftKings and Delta bring a non-gambling sports prediction game to the skies, offering Delta Gift Cards as prizes. Travelers can now engage in free-to-play sports contests, ‘SkyPicks,’ during their flights, accessible via the Delta Wi-Fi service.
What Happened
DraftKings Sportsbook and Delta Airlines announced a new partnership on Wednesday to introduce ‘SkyPicks,’ a free in-house sports prediction contest. This initiative allows eligible passengers aged 21 and older to participate in sports predictions mid-flight without any financial risk. The service launched immediately and is available on all U.S. domestic, Wi-Fi-equipped Delta flights. Participants can access the game through the Delta Wi-Fi service on their personal devices by signing in with an existing DraftKings account or creating a new one.
Key Details
- ‘SkyPicks’ is a free-to-play sports prediction contest, involving no real money wagering or financial risk.
- It is accessible on U.S. domestic, Wi-Fi-equipped Delta flights for passengers aged 21 and older.
- Participants must use their existing DraftKings account or create a new one to join.
- The initial launch features MLB contests, with plans to add NFL matchups later in the year.
- Games will be available on personal devices (cellphones, laptops, tablets), not seatback screens.
- Contests involve answering questions like who will score first, the winning team, and a final-score tiebreaker.
- Top scorers on the leaderboard can win Delta Gift Cards for future travel.
- Delta currently offers live sports broadcasts and coverage as part of its in-flight entertainment.
Why It Matters
This partnership marks an innovative approach to in-flight entertainment, leveraging the growing interest in daily fantasy sports and sports betting culture without the actual gambling component. For DraftKings, it’s an opportunity to expand its brand reach and user engagement beyond traditional platforms, connecting with sports fans even during travel. For Delta, ‘SkyPicks’ enhances the passenger experience by offering a novel, engaging activity that caters to sports enthusiasts. It could also serve as a blueprint for airlines to further integrate interactive prediction markets into their in-flight offerings, potentially deepening customer loyalty and engagement. As Jeremy Elbaum, Chief Commercial Officer at DraftKings, stated, it reimagines “what sports engagement can look like while traveling.” This initiative allows SkyMiles Members another way to engage with their favorite sports, as noted by Ranjan Goswami, Chief Marketing and Product Officer at Delta.