On the company’s Profit Sharing Day – aptly falling on Feb. 14, Valentine’s Day – eligible employees across Delta will receive an estimated payout of 10% of their eligible earnings, representing an average five weeks in additional pay.  

Delta employees will receive $1.4 billion as their share of the airline’s 2024 profits, a timely reminder that our people are fundamental to our culture as Delta celebrates its centennial anniversary. 

On the company’s Profit Sharing Day – aptly falling on Feb. 14, Valentine’s Day – eligible employees across Delta will receive an estimated payout of 10% of their eligible earnings, representing an average five weeks in additional pay.  

“Every day, Delta people prove themselves to be difference makers in this industry,” said CEO Ed Bastian. “I’m proud to recognize their unmatched professionalism, teamwork and dedication to excellence with one of our strongest profit sharing years in Delta’s history.”  

Shared success is core to Delta’s values, and profit sharing is a key element of Delta’s commitment to industry-leading total compensation for industry-leading performance.    

Delta’s industry-leading profits allow the company to share more with employees than any other airline, rewarding employees with over $10 billion in profit sharing in the last 10 years. 

Delta Air Lines today reported financial results for the fourth (December) quarter and full year 2024 and provided its outlook for the first (March) quarter and full year 2025. 

• Delivered record December quarter revenue and operating profit with industry-leading operational performance
• Reported record full year 2024 revenue, $5 billion of pre-tax income, $8 billion of operating cash flow and $3.4 billion of free cash flow
• Guiding to 2025 earnings of greater than $7.35 per share and free cash flow of greater than $4 billion
• Expect March quarter revenue growth of 7 to 9 percent with earnings of $0.70 to $1.00 per share 

“2024 was a great year for Delta with our results reflecting differentiation from the industry and increased durability.  Our people finished the year strong, delivering industry-leading operational and financial performance.  Sharing Delta’s success is core to our culture, and I’m excited to recognize our people’s outstanding efforts with $1.4 billion in profit sharing payments next month,” said Ed Bastian, Delta’s chief executive officer. 

“As we move into 2025, we expect strong demand for travel to continue, with consumers increasingly seeking the premium products and experiences that Delta provides.  Our differentiated strategy and best-in-class operations, combined with demand strength and an increasingly constructive industry backdrop, position us to deliver the best financial year in Delta’s 100-year history, with pre-tax income greater than $6 billion, earnings per share greater than $7.35 and free cash flow of more than $4 billion.”

December Quarter 2024 GAAP Financial Results

• Operating revenue of $15.6 billion
• Operating income of $1.7 billion with an operating margin of 11.0 percent
• Pre-tax income of $1.2 billion with a pre-tax margin of7.7 percent
• Earnings per share of $1.29
• Operating cash flow of $1.9 billion
• Payments on debt and finance lease obligations of $1.5 billion
• Total debt and finance lease obligations of $16.2 billion at quarter end

Delta Air Lines is unveiling a refreshed Delta Premium Select cabin experience, featuring locally-inspired dining, premium hand-crafted amenities and more dedicated service touchpoints – while also driving social impact through its expanded Someone Somewhere partnership.

Starting Sept. 20, Delta Premium Select customers will enjoy an elevated dining experience that offers more options infused with local flavors, including meals like braised beef short rib with fingerling potatoes and dijon green peppercorn jus; Impossible Meatballs with polenta, pomodorini sauce and broccolini; honey harissa chicken thighs with jollof rice and stewed greens and for dessert, mango mousse with mango passion fruit compote.

Beginning in October, Delta will phase in new handmade amenity kits by Someone Somewhere featuring Grown Alchemist travel essentials and other premium essentials that make the journey more enjoyable.

Delta Premium Select offers travelers more space to stretch out and relax with a wider seat, additional recline and an adjustable footrest and leg rest on most long-haul international flights.

Whether customers want to unwind, sleep, work or catch up on the latest in-flight entertainment on Delta Studio, they can plan on arriving at their final destination refreshed and re-energized.

Delta Premium Select is available on most flights to Europe, including flying on all U.S. routes to the airline’s international hubs in Amsterdam and London. This winter, Delta will operate nearly 400 weekly flights to popular destinations such as Frankfurt, Paris, Rome, Zurich and more.

Delta Air Lines has increased representation of women, Black talent and other underrepresented racial and ethnic groups in roles across the company, according to its second annual Close the Gap report, a pivotal step in fulfilling its commitment to grow diversity in its leadership.

The report tracks the gap between the diversity of frontline talent and leadership within the company. By producing this report, Delta holds itself accountable to the commitments it made in 2020 to accelerate the closure of diversity representation gaps between the frontline and leadership in the three most underrepresented areas.

“Our concentrated efforts are building a strong pipeline as we work toward our long-term goals,” said Keyra Lynn Johnson, Delta’s V.P. and Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer. “The deliberate steps we’ve taken, like introducing a skills-first hiring approach, reinforcing the importance of diverse hiring panels and creating apprenticeship opportunities, are components that continue delivering results. We know that the path to a more equitable business is a journey, but years later, these results are showing us we are moving in the right direction.”

Delta’s Close the Gap progress over the past year is a result of a concerted effort across the enterprise to ensure the senior leadership team becomes more reflective of the diversity of its frontline workforce:

• As of Q2 2022, about 27% of hourly-wage employees identify as Black, 22% as another underrepresented racial and ethnic group and 42% as women.
• From frontline hourly employees to director-level roles, we have generally seen an increase in representation from Q2 2021 to Q2 2022. This strong talent pipeline will help us achieve our talent goals in future years and continue to close the diversity gaps in senior management.
  • We’ve seen the most  acceleration in the category of vice president and above for women talent, increasing from 29% to 34% from Q1 2022 to Q2 2022. The increase was largely fed by the managing director-level talent pipeline, which saw a decrease from 31% to 30%. Still, there remains a strong pipeline that will support achieving  Close the Gap goals.
  • For both Black employees and other underrepresented racial and ethnic groups, our mid-year snapshot, from Q2 2021 to Q2 2022, shows decreases at the senior levels:
    • For Black talent we saw a decrease at the managing director  level from 7% to 6%; at the vice president level it shifted from 7% to 5%.
    • For other underrepresented racial and ethnic group talent, the managing director level decreased from 18% to 16%, and at the vice president level decreased from 16% to 15%.

Delta began a more intense focus on tracking equity gaps in 2020, with a goal to achieve stronger diversity representation at every level of the organization.

The report shows the hiring progress Delta has made among Black employees, women and other underrepresented racial and ethnic groups. It also underscores that much work remains to be done, and the company will continue to be transparent about its progress.

“As we’ve grown our diverse talent pipeline over the past year, we know our diversity, equity and inclusion  opportunities remain at the most senior levels of our company,” Johnson said. “Providing internal and external career pathways to senior leadership roles  is top of mind. We are strengthening our strategies, partnerships and actions in this area to bridge these gaps.”

Delta Air Lines will resume flights from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to Tokyo International Airport (HND) beginning Oct. 30 in anticipation of Japan’s easing travel restrictions.

The route will start operating three times weekly before moving to daily starting Dec. 1. The restart of service will use Airbus 330-900neo aircraft featuring Delta One Suites, Delta Premium Select, Delta Comfort+ and Main Cabin services.

Delta will also start a new daily service between Honolulu and Haneda on Dec. 1. This is the first time Delta has offered service from Haneda to Honolulu with its start delayed due to the pandemic. Customers will be able to enjoy Delta One, Delta Premium Select, Delta Comfort + and Main Cabin services using the Boeing 767-300ER.

Haneda is a key hub for Delta and offers multiple travel options from key U.S. gateways including Seattle, Atlanta and Detroit.

Delta schedule for Los Angeles (LAX) – Haneda (HND) flights (Oct. 30 – Nov. 28): 

Delta schedule for Los Angeles (LAX) – Haneda (HND) –flights (Dec. 1, 2022 – March 24, 2023):

Delta schedule for Honolulu (HNL) – Haneda (HND) –flights (Dec. 1, 2022 – March 24, 2023):

Delta’s flight schedule remains subject to change due to the evolving nature of COVID-19, customer demand and government travel regulations.

Delta aircraft photo gallery (Airbus):

Aviation Partners Boeing has made this announcement:

Aviation Partners Boeing (APB) and Delta Air Lines, Inc. (Delta) share a commitment to reduce aircraft carbon emissions.  Today, APB is excited to announce Delta’s recent agreements to purchase Split Scimitar Winglets for its 737-800 fleet and for a number of recently acquired 737-900ER aircraft. Delta also recently agreed to purchase Scimitar Blended Winglets for up to 70 of Delta’s 757-200 aircraft. Both the Split Scimitar Winglets and Scimitar Blended Winglets are upgrades to APB’s ubiquitous Blended Winglets.

737-900ER Split Scimitar Winglet. Photo Credit: Carl Ceresoli Chief Technology Officer & CISO at Pacers Sports and Entertainment.

Delta has previously purchased and installed APB winglet products on its 737-800, 737-900ER, 757-200, 757-300 and 767-300ER fleets. APB is proud that Delta has, once again, turned to APB’s winglet products across its fleets to deliver savings in jet fuel consumption and gains in fuel efficiency.

Delta aircraft photo gallery (Boeing):

Delta Air Lines has made this announcement:

Delta customers ready to travel the globe will soon have more destinations to add to their bucket lists with the launch of two never-before-operated, nonstop routes from Atlanta to Cape Town* and Los Angeles to Tahiti*, both beginning Dec. 17. The airline will also add nonstop service from Atlanta to Tel Aviv* beginning next May.

With the addition of service to Cape Town from Atlanta, the largest airline hub in the world, Delta will expand on its leading position serving Africa, providing 10 times weekly service to South Africa specifically, via Cape Town and Johannesburg. The launch of additional Tel Aviv service brings the total of weekly Delta flights to Tel Aviv to 13, from three U.S. hubs – Atlanta, Boston and New York-JFK.

SCHEDULE DETAILS

ATLANTA – CAPE TOWN (CPT)

Will operate Monday, Thursday and Saturday on the Airbus A350-900

Begins Dec. 17, 2022

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport – Cape Town International Airport

• Departs ATL at 8:50 p.m.
• Arrives CPT at 6:15 p.m. (next day)

Cape Town International Airport – Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport

• Departs CPT at 10:50 p.m.
• Arrives ATL at 8:00 a.m. (next day)

ATLANTA – TEL AVIV (TLV)

Will operate Wednesday, Friday, Sunday on the Airbus A350-900

Begins May 10, 2023 (westbound service begins May 8)

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport – Ben Gurion International Airport

• Departs ATL at 2:00 p.m.
• Arrives TLV at 9:15 a.m. (next day)

Ben Gurion International Airport – Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport

• Departs TLV at 11:30 a.m.
• Arrives ATL at 5:55 p.m.

LOS ANGELES – TAHITI (PPT)

Will operate Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday on the Boeing 767-300ER

Begins Dec. 17, 2022

Los Angeles International Airport – Fa’a’ā International Airport

• Departs LAX at 11:10 a.m.
• Arrives PPT at 6:10 p.m.

Fa’a’ā International Airport – Los Angeles International Airport

• Departs PPT at 8:10 p.m.
• Arrives LAX at 6:40 a.m. (next day)

*Operation of this route is subject to final government approval

In other news, Delta is opening its first Delta Sky Club at Tokyo’s Haneda Airport – the only club there operated by a U.S. airline – a luxurious addition featuring regional specialties as Japan gradually eases pandemic-era restrictions and welcomes business and leisure travelers alike.

Delta aircraft photo gallery (Airbus):

Air Lines will add the state-of-the-art Boeing 737 MAX aircraft to its fleet, as the airline continues to refresh its fleet to elevate the in-flight customer experience while improving fuel efficiency.

Delta is ordering the largest model in the MAX family, the 737-10, which will begin delivery in 2025. It will be powered by the next-generation LEAP-1B engines manufactured by CFM International, a company jointly owned by GE and Safran Aircraft Engines. The aircraft will be 20%-30% more fuel efficient than the retiring Delta planes it will replace, making the agreement an important step in Delta’s journey toward a sustainable future for aviation.

“The Boeing 737-10 will be an important addition to Delta’s fleet as we shape a more sustainable future for air travel, with an elevated customer experience, improved fuel efficiency and best-in-class performance,” said Ed Bastian, Delta’s chief executive officer. “These new aircraft provide superior operating economics and network flexibility, and the agreement reflects our prudent approach to deploying our capital.”

Most importantly, Bastian said, “This aircraft will be piloted, served and maintained by the very best professionals in the business, and it’s their hard work and dedication to our customers that always sets us apart.”

“We are proud that Delta is renewing its single-aisle fleet with the 737 MAX, Boeing’s most fuel-efficient family of airplanes,” said Stan Deal, president and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes. “Built in our factory in Washington state with support from key suppliers across the US, the 737-10 will provide Delta with the best economics to carry more passengers across its short and medium-haul routes.”

The announcement was made at the 2022 Farnborough International Airshow in the U.K., and included a signing ceremony with Delta, Boeing and CFM executives.

The 737-10 aligns with four key pillars of Delta’s long-term fleet strategy:

• Size: As a larger aircraft than the those it replaces, the 737-10 provides superior economic benefits as Delta continues to grow the average gauge of its narrowbody fleet.
• Simplification: The 737-10 is expected to share a common training category across Delta’s 737 fleet.
• Scale: The order will grow the size of Delta’s 737 family to more than 300 aircraft by the end of the decade.
• Sustainability: With its next-generation LEAP engines, the 737-10 will be among the most fuel-efficient aircraft in Delta’s fleet, along with the A321neo.

The order is within Delta’s 2022-24 Capex guidance provided at Capital Markets Day in December 2021.

Nearly one-third of the aircraft’s 182 seats will be premium seating, with 20 customers in First Class, 33 in Delta Comfort+ and 129 in Main Cabin. Customers will experience the Boeing Sky Interior, highlighted by modern sculpted sidewalls and window reveals, with in-flight entertainment and power ports in every seat; high-speed satellite Wi-Fi throughout the aircraft; and on-demand video content available through Delta Studio. The cabin will also feature LED lighting that enhances the aircraft’s sense of spaciousness and large pivoting overhead bins.

With a top speed of Mach 0.79 and a range of 3,300 nautical miles, the 737-10 has broad flexibility to serve markets across the U.S. within Delta’s industry-leading network. The aircraft will be deployed in core hubs including New York, Boston, Atlanta, Detroit, Minneapolis-St. Paul, Seattle and Los Angeles.

Final assembly of the plane will take place at Boeing’s facility in Renton, Wash., near Delta’s international hub at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport.

The aircraft will complement Delta’s high-performance A321neo fleet as the airline updates and refreshes its narrowbody fleet for the years ahead. With the order, Delta’s Boeing 737 fleet will grow to more than 300 total aircraft and will be Delta’s second-largest fleet family behind the Airbus A320.

The 737-10 is currently awaiting final certification from the Federal Aviation Administration, which is expected in 2023. In the event of a delay, the agreement has adequate protection in place, including allowing Delta to shift to another model of the MAX family if necessary.

Delta aircraft photo gallery (Boeing):