GlobeDevansh BhallaSurvey atlas · Houston, TexasLinkedIn

Delta Air Lines2024 – 2025Atlanta, Georgia

My first international DECA project: how AI could help an airline like Delta run its flights more smoothly.

Role Student researcher

A Delta Airbus A350 on a desert runway at sunset
the operation, at golden hourImage: Delta Air Lines

Overview

I spent the 2024–25 DECA season researching AI tools for Delta Air Lines' flight operations, then turned the research into recommendations aimed at results you could measure. I presented it at DECA's international conference in Orlando, where we scored 98 out of 100 and just missed the finals.

at a glance
SubjectDelta Air Lines flight operations
RoleStudent researcher
TeamSalma Quero, Shreya Bhalla and me
WhenAug 2024 – May 2025
Presented atICDC 2025, Orlando
Score98 / 100
A Delta aircraft flying above mountains and lakes
A global network that runs to the minute.Image: Delta Air Lines

The question

Where can AI take friction out of running an airline, in ways that actually show up in the numbers?

Map of Delta's route network centred on Atlanta
Delta's network, centred on Atlanta.Image: Delta Air Lines
Screens from the Fly Delta app
Delta's own digital tools.Image: Delta Air Lines

How it went

From the first week of research to the score in Orlando.

WhenMilestoneStatus
AUG 2024Research begins on AI-driven solutions for flight operationsDone
2025First place, Texas DECA State Career Development ConferenceWon
SPRING 2025Presented at DECA's International Career Development Conference, OrlandoDone
2025Scored 98 out of 100 at ICDC, just short of the finalsDone
MAY 2025Project completeLanded

Read the paper

This was my first project to reach internationals. The whole written paper is here to read or download.

Devansh and two teammates on the Texas DECA stage with medals and a trophy, Hospitality and Tourism Operations Research on the screen behind them
On stage at the Texas DECA state conference, where we qualified for ICDC 2025.Photo: Devansh's team