Delta Air Lines, Inc.

Overview

Delta Air Lines is a U.S.-based global airline operating passenger and cargo transportation across a large, interconnected network. The company combines core flight operations with maintenance, cargo, vacation packages, and digital customer services, supported by a substantial fleet, extensive partnerships, and a major co‑branding relationship with American Express.

What the company does

• Provides international and domestic passenger air travel and related services, along with air cargo operations.
• Offers a diversified portfolio of premium and value products, including Delta One, First Class, Delta Premium Select, and Delta Comfort+.
• Operates the SkyMiles loyalty program and a growing ecosystem of partners to drive loyalty and higher‑margin revenue.
• Owns and operates multiple business lines:
  • Passenger transportation across a global network
  • Cargo services
  • Aircraft maintenance and related services through Delta TechOps
  • Vacation packages via Delta Vacations
  • Technology initiatives to enable digital customer experiences and operational efficiency, including AI-driven tools, Delta Concierge, Delta Sync, and the Delta app
• Engages in strategic international partnerships and equity investments to extend its network and access new markets.

Customers and employees

• Served over 200 million customers in 2025.
• Workforce of approximately 103,000 full‑time equivalent employees (as of December 31, 2025), with about 100,000 based in the U.S.
• Emphasizes a people‑focused culture, extensive training and development, and a diverse workforce.

Fleet and capacity

• Global fleet of 1,314 aircraft as of December 31, 2025, including mainline and regional aircraft.
• Mainline fleet (as of 12/31/2025):
  • Total mainline aircraft: 989 (870 owned or finance‑leased, 20 finance leased, 99 operating leases)
• Regional aircraft operated on Delta’s behalf: 325 (operated by Endeavor Air, SkyWest, Republic Airways; some regional aircraft are owned or leased by Delta)
• Actively expanding and modernizing the fleet with multiple new orders and planned deliveries.

Revenue and key financial relationships

• American Express partnership: remuneration from AmEx totaled $8.2 billion in 2025, with expectations to grow to about $10 billion in coming years.
• SkyMiles program drives loyalty, monetizes miles, and supports award travel; in 2025, 12% of revenue miles were from award travel and the program facilitated approximately 35 million award tickets.

Network and geographic reach

• Serves more than 150 countries and territories and nearly 1,000 destinations through Delta and its alliance partners.
• At year‑end 2025, offered up to 5,500 peak‑day flights to more than 300 destinations.
• Domestic hubs: Atlanta, Detroit, Minneapolis‑St. Paul, Salt Lake City.
• Coastal hubs: Boston, Los Angeles, New York (LaGuardia and JFK), Seattle.
• International partnerships and investments include joint ventures and equity stakes with Air France–KLM–Virgin Atlantic, Aeroméxico (~19% equity), LATAM (~11% equity), and Korean Air (Delta owns just under 15% of Hanjin‑KAL). Delta is a member of the SkyTeam alliance and maintains other codeshare and equipment/airport collaboration arrangements.
• Delta Connection regional partners include Endeavor Air (owned by Delta), Republic Airways, and SkyWest Airlines under capacity purchase and related revenue arrangements.

Operational footprint and facilities

• Ground and maintenance facilities located worldwide, with a major maintenance base in the Atlanta area.
• Owns and leases facilities for reservations centers, maintenance, cargo, flight kitchens, and training.

Fuel and energy

• Monroe Energy’s Trainer refinery near Philadelphia supplies jet fuel; the refinery can process about 200,000 barrels per day.
• Manages fuel costs with a hedging program and a diversified supply approach, including refinery supply and spot market purchases.
• Engages in sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) initiatives and is pursuing long‑term decarbonization goals toward net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.

Growth and capital investments

• Has binding multi‑year aircraft purchase commitments across several models with deliveries planned through the late 2020s and beyond, including:
  • A220‑300: multiple deliveries
  • A321‑200neo: multiple deliveries
  • A350‑900 and A350‑1000: multiple deliveries
  • B787‑10: agreement to acquire 30 aircraft with an option for 30 more, with deliveries starting in 2031
  • A330‑900 and A350‑900: agreements with Airbus for widebody capacity beginning in 2029
• Pursuing a broad fleet renewal strategy to improve premium offerings, efficiency, and fuel economy.

Regulatory and sustainability context

• Operates under international and U.S. aviation regulation (DOT, FAA, TSA) and participates in market‑based emissions programs such as CORSIA and emissions trading schemes (EU ETS, UK ETS).
• Active in SAF development and decarbonization efforts, and manages environmental and regulatory matters including PFAS management and environmental compliance.

Summary

Delta is a large, globally connected airline group combining passenger and cargo operations with maintenance, vacation packages, and technology‑driven customer services. The company’s scale is reflected in its fleet, international network and partnerships, SkyMiles program, and a material co‑branding revenue stream with American Express. Delta continues to focus on premium product offerings, fleet modernization, and long‑term sustainability goals as it grows its network and operations.