Key Points
- Delta Air Lines has partnered with DraftKings to launch SkyPicks, a free sports prediction game with no gambling, betting, or wagering involved.
- The game is live now on Delta Sync Wi-Fi-equipped flights, starting with MLB matchups and expanding to NFL games later this year.
- SkyMiles members ages 21 and older can compete for Delta gift cards, giving frequent flyers a new reason to stay logged into Delta's inflight Wi-Fi.
Introduction
If you've flown Delta recently, you already know the airline has been busy stacking its inflight entertainment lineup. Now Delta SkyPicks, the airline's new partnership with DraftKings, is adding a sports twist to that mix. The free-to-play feature launched on Delta planes equipped with Delta Sync Wi-Fi, letting flyers test their sports knowledge and compete for Delta gift cards by making predictions tied to real games. Despite the DraftKings name attached, this isn't a gambling product. Here's what SkyPicks actually is, how it works, and what it means for your next flight.
What Is Delta SkyPicks?
The Delta-DraftKings partnership was formally announced in late July 2026, following a collaboration the two companies first teased back in January 2025 at CES in Las Vegas. That early tease sparked plenty of speculation that real-money gambling might eventually make its way onto Delta flights.
That speculation turned out to be wrong. Gambling with cash or miles is not part of the equation. Instead, Delta leaned into what it already knows works with its passengers.
Delta's chief marketing and product officer, Ranjan Goswami, explained the thinking during a press call ahead of the launch, noting the airline wanted to stay in the "classic games genre" that's already proven popular through features like seatback games, New York Times puzzles, and the Sky Hopper game. He added that the goal was combining sports and games in a way that's fun, skill-based, and carries no financial risk.
How SkyPicks Works
Playing SkyPicks is straightforward if you're already comfortable logging onto Delta's Wi-Fi. Here's the step-by-step process:
- Connect to Delta Sync Wi-Fi and open SkyPicks on your personal device.
- Sign in with an existing DraftKings account, or create a free one if you're new.
- Pick a league to unlock a set of questions tied to a specific game or group of games.
- Answer between eight and twelve questions, a mix of head-to-head player matchups and straightforward outcome picks.
- Submit your entry. You can edit picks right up until the game starts, so late lineup changes won't sink your chances.
Contests run twice a week, and prizes go to top performers in individual contests as well as monthly leaderboards. If you're flying on an off day for your favorite team, you're not shut out. SkyMiles members can always enter the next upcoming contest, even if their team isn't playing that day.
Who Can Play and When
SkyPicks isn't available to everyone on every flight just yet. The game will begin with MLB matchups, with NFL games joining the lineup later this year once football season starts. You'll need to be a SkyMiles member who's 21 or older, flying on one of the 1,240 Delta aircraft currently equipped with Delta Sync Wi-Fi. The game lives on personal devices connected to the Wi-Fi network rather than on seatback screens.
If you're unsure whether your upcoming flight has Delta Sync Wi-Fi, check your aircraft type when you book or during check-in. It's worth doing anyway, since a growing share of Delta's onboard perks now depend on that connection.
Why This Matters for Delta Flyers
SkyPicks itself won't move the needle on your travel budget. But it's a reminder of how much value Delta has been packing into its Wi-Fi experience, and how much of that experience now hinges on staying connected in the air. If you fly Delta often, it's worth knowing which of your cards can offset that cost. The Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card includes complimentary Wi-Fi on Delta flights as a standard perk, which means cardholders can jump into SkyPicks, stream shows, or just answer emails without paying per flight. If you're earning toward Delta status or simply trying to make the most of every SkyMiles trip, our guide on best credit cards for Delta flights breaks down which cards pull their weight.
SkyPicks is Delta's tenth onboard experience overall, joining existing entertainment tie-ins with FOX, The New York Times, and YouTube. Other current options include FOX One, YouTube Premium, and content from The New York Times and The Athletic. Delta is clearly betting that a stacked entertainment lineup keeps flyers loyal, and Wi-Fi access is becoming the gateway to nearly all of it.
If you're still getting familiar with how Delta's loyalty program fits into all of this, our complete guide to Delta SkyMiles for 2025 is a good starting point. And if you've found the program frustrating to redeem lately, you're not imagining it. We dug into why in Why Are Delta SkyMiles So Hard to Use?
The Bigger Picture
When asked whether Delta might reconsider adding real gambling down the road, Goswami said the airline has no plans to do that. For now, SkyPicks stays firmly in low-stakes, skill-based territory: no deposits, no wagering, just picks and pride. Delta has hinted at more Wi-Fi-related announcements coming later this week, so this may not be the last update to the airline's connectivity strategy this summer.
FAQ
Is Delta SkyPicks real gambling?
No. It's a free-to-play prediction game. There's no wagering, no deposits, and no cash payouts, just gift card prizes for top performers.
Do I need Delta Sync Wi-Fi to play?
Yes. SkyPicks only works through Delta Sync Wi-Fi on your personal device, and it isn't available on seatback screens.
Which Delta credit cards include free inflight Wi-Fi?
The Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card includes complimentary Wi-Fi on Delta flights. Cardholders with the Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card and Delta SkyMiles Gold American Express Card should check their current benefits, since Wi-Fi perks vary by card and can change.
Conclusion
Delta SkyPicks won't help you book a business class seat to Tokyo, but it's a fun, low-risk way to pass the time on your next flight, and a sign of how central Wi-Fi access has become to the Delta experience. If you fly Delta regularly, it's worth double-checking which of your cards can keep you connected for free. This article contains affiliate links. If you apply through our links, we may earn a commission at no cost to you, which helps us continue sharing points and miles strategies with the community.
