Company Description
Delta Air Lines, Inc. (NYSE: DAL) is a major U.S. airline in the scheduled passenger air transportation industry within the transportation and warehousing sector. According to company disclosures, Delta operates up to 5,000 daily Delta and Delta Connection flights and serves more than 300 destinations on six continents. The airline describes its role as connecting people to places and to each other through exceptional service and the power of innovation.
Delta is headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia and its common stock trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol DAL, as noted in multiple Form 8-K filings. The company highlights that there are about 100,000 Delta people focused on delivering what it calls a world-class customer experience. Delta reports that it served more than 200 million customers in 2024, emphasizing safe and reliable operations and customer service innovation.
Core passenger airline business
Delta’s primary business is transporting passengers on scheduled flights. Company descriptions state that Delta and Delta Connection together operate flights to more than 300 destinations, with a network that spans six continents. The airline notes that it operates from significant hubs and key markets including Amsterdam, Atlanta, Bogota, Boston, Detroit, Lima, London-Heathrow, Los Angeles, Mexico City, Minneapolis–St. Paul, New York-JFK, New York–LaGuardia, Paris–Charles de Gaulle, Salt Lake City, Santiago (Chile), Sao Paulo, Seattle, Seoul–Incheon and Tokyo. This network supports both domestic and international passenger traffic.
Delta emphasizes its focus on tailoring trips to customers, highlighting premium cabins, in-flight entertainment, Wi‑Fi, and app-based services in its public communications. The company also points to recognition from third parties, noting awards such as being named the top U.S. airline by the Wall Street Journal, North America’s most on-time airline in 2024 by Cirium, and J.D. Power recognition in Premium Economy Passenger Satisfaction. These references underscore Delta’s stated emphasis on operational performance and customer experience.
Cargo and logistics operations
Beyond passenger travel, Delta participates in air freight through Delta Cargo, described as the air freight division of Delta Air Lines. Delta Cargo information states that it delivers shipping solutions across a global network serving more than 290 destinations and transported over 11 million pieces of cargo in 2024. The division notes that it handles a diverse mix of shipments, including life-saving pharmaceuticals and organs for transplant, fresh flowers, seasonal produce and e‑commerce shipments.
Delta Cargo materials describe offerings that include express, temperature-sensitive and high-value logistics, combined with 24/7 monitoring and specialized handling for certain types of shipments. Delta also highlights global alliances and technology partnerships. For example, Delta Cargo has collaborated with Trackonomy to launch the Pulse platform, which uses real-time visibility and alerting technology to monitor cargo and ground operations at gate level. According to Trackonomy and Delta Cargo, Pulse is active for DASH and DASH Critical shipments at multiple U.S. airports and is intended to improve shipment transparency and operational reliability.
Network, fleet and partnerships
Delta’s public statements describe a large and evolving fleet. The company reports taking delivery of aircraft such as A321neo, A220-300, A330-900 and A350-900, and retiring older aircraft as part of its fleet planning. Delta also announced an agreement to purchase Boeing 787‑10 widebody aircraft, with GE Aerospace’s GEnx engines selected to power these aircraft. GE Aerospace notes that Delta operates a fleet of more than 1,300 GE Aerospace and CFM powered aircraft, reflecting a long-standing relationship between the companies.
Delta’s network strategy includes both domestic and international growth. Company updates reference new and expanded service in cities such as Austin, new transatlantic routes from Boston and Seattle, and new long-haul routes including New York–JFK to Porto and Los Angeles to Hong Kong. Delta also points to joint venture partnerships in every region of the world as part of its international evolution, although specific partners are not detailed in the provided materials.
Revenue streams and loyalty
Delta’s financial communications describe a mix of revenue sources. In its discussion of 2025 results, Delta highlights passenger revenue, premium revenue, cargo revenue, maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) revenue and loyalty revenue. The company notes that diversified revenue streams, including premium products, cargo, MRO and loyalty, represent a significant portion of total revenue and have grown year over year.
Delta’s loyalty business is closely tied to its SkyMiles program and a co‑brand credit card relationship with American Express. The company reports American Express remuneration in the billions of dollars and notes growth in co‑brand spend and card acquisitions. Delta also references initiatives such as linking SkyMiles accounts with partners like Uber, allowing members to earn miles through everyday activities, and describes loyalty revenue growth as part of its broader commercial strategy.
Operational performance and corporate profile
Delta frequently highlights operational metrics in its public communications. The airline notes recognition as North America’s most on-time airline in 2024 and reports leading its competitive set in on-time departures and arrivals and completion factor over various periods. Delta also references awards such as Business Travel News rankings for business travelers, Forbes Travel Guide recognition, and listings on employer and workplace rankings.
Delta describes itself as being in its Centennial period, referencing a 100th anniversary, and emphasizes its culture and people, including profit-sharing payments and recognition for workplace practices. The company’s SEC filings show that it is not classified as an emerging growth company and confirm that its common stock is registered on the NYSE. Filings also document governance matters such as director elections, executive compensation plans and amendments to credit facilities, including a SkyMiles term loan credit facility.
Financial reporting and capital structure
Delta regularly reports financial results via press releases and Form 8‑K filings, detailing operating revenue, operating income, margins, cash flow, debt levels and other metrics. The company uses both GAAP and non‑GAAP measures, such as adjusted operating income, total revenue adjusted for third‑party refinery sales, non‑fuel unit costs and adjusted debt to EBITDAR. Delta explains that it excludes third‑party refinery sales from some metrics to provide a more meaningful comparison of its airline operations.
SEC filings also describe Delta’s capital structure and financing arrangements. For example, an 8‑K filing discusses an amendment to the SkyMiles Credit Facility, including refinancing existing term loans, extending maturity and adjusting amortization and interest terms. Another filing describes shareholder approval of an amended and restated performance compensation plan that increases the number of shares authorized for issuance and extends the plan’s expiration date.
Position within the airline industry
Across its public descriptions, Delta emphasizes its scale, noting up to 5,000 peak day flights, more than 300 destinations on six continents, and service to more than 200 million customers in 2024. The company repeatedly states that “no one better connects the world,” underscoring its view of its role in global air travel. It also highlights recognition for operational excellence, customer satisfaction and workplace quality, which together form a key part of its identity in the scheduled passenger air transportation industry.
According to its own statements, Delta’s ongoing focus is on making travel connected, personalized and enjoyable, using technology such as app-based assistants, fast Wi‑Fi and digital experiences, while relying on its workforce to provide what it describes as welcoming and caring service throughout the customer journey.