Delta Air Lines announces June quarter 2023 financial results

• Delivered the highest quarterly revenue and profitability in Delta’s history
• Strong June quarter operating cash flow enabled accelerated debt reduction
• Expect record September quarter revenue, mid-teens operating margin and EPS of $2.20 - $2.50
• Raising full year EPS outlook to $6 - $7 and reiterating free cash flow guide of $3 billion

 
              Delta Air Lines reported financial results for the June quarter and provided its outlook for the September quarter of 2023. Highlights of the June quarter, including both GAAP and adjusted metrics, are on page five and incorporated here.

"Thanks to the incredible work of our entire team, Delta is delivering for our customers by providing strong operational performance and best-in-class service during this busy summer period. With this performance, we generated record revenue and profitability in the June quarter. Our people are the best professionals in the industry, and I’m proud to recognize their achievements with $667 million in the first half toward next year’s profit-sharing payment," said Ed Bastian, Delta's Chief Executive Officer. 

“Consumer demand for air travel remains robust. Against this constructive backdrop, we are increasing our 2023 earnings guidance to $6 to $7 per share and reiterating our recently updated outlook for $3 billion of free cash flow.”

JUNE QUARTER 2023 GAAP FINANCIAL RESULTS

• Record operating revenue of $15.6 billion

• Record operating income of $2.5 billion with an operating margin of 16.0 percent

• Pre-tax income of $2.3 billion with a pre-tax margin of 14.9 percent

• Earnings per share of $2.84

• Operating cash flow of $2.6 billion

• Payments on debt and finance lease obligations of $1.8 billion

• Total debt and finance lease obligations of $20.2 billion at quarter end

JUNE QUARTER 2023 ADJUSTED FINANCIAL RESULTS

• Record operating revenue of $14.6 billion, 19 percent higher than the June quarter 2022

• Record operating income of $2.5 billion with an operating margin of 17.1 percent

• Pre-tax income of $2.2 billion with a pre-tax margin of 15.2 percent

• Earnings per share of $2.68

• Operating cash flow of $2.6 billion

• Free cash flow of $1.1 billion

• Adjusted net debt of $19.8 billion at quarter end

SEPTEMBER QUARTER AND FULL YEAR OUTLOOK1

	3Q23 Forecast	FY 2023 Forecast
Total Revenue YoY	+11% - 14%	+17% - 20%
Operating Margin	Mid-Teens	>12%
Earnings Per Share	$2.20 - $2.50	$6 - $7

1 Non-GAAP measures; Refer to Non-GAAP reconciliations for comparison figures

June  Quarter Highlights
Operations, Network and Fleet

Earned the #1 spot on The Points Guy's list of best U.S. Airlines for the fifth year in a row, consistently scoring high in reliability, customer experience, network and the loyalty program
Implemented largest ever trans-Atlantic summer schedule in Delta's history with more than 650 weekly flights to 32 destinations and a 20 percent increase in seat capacity versus summer 2022

Delta and LATAM announced new and enhanced service, with U.S.-Colombia routes and LATAM's first Atlanta route

Signed an agreement with EL AL Israel Airlines to launch a strategic partnership with more convenient connections for customers, reciprocal codeshare and frequent flyer benefits
Took delivery of 18 aircraft this year and 12 this quarter, including the A321neo, A220-300 and A330-900; exercised option to purchase 12 additional A220s and added one A330-900 to the order book

Culture and People 

Welcomed Mike Spanos as Chief Operating Officer and Alicia Tillman as Chief Marketing Officer

Accrued $595 million toward profit sharing in the June quarter, resulting in $667 million accrued in the first half, more than the entire year of 2022

Provided a 5 percent base pay increase for eligible employees worldwide, effective April 1, 2023, maintaining our philosophy of industry-leading pay for industry-leading performance
Ranked No. 1 in Strategic Clarity and No. 2 on Leadership Alignment in the Return On Leadership 100 Ranking of the top 100 Fortune 500 companies with a top 20 ranking overall
Named one of the Best Employers for Diversity by Forbes, along with one of the top companies for career growth by LinkedIn

Awarded this year's Industrial Sector Leader as one of the most community-minded companies in the U.S. and recognized on The Civic 50 by Points of Light for the sixth consecutive year

Recognized as the No. 1 corporate blood drive sponsor with the American Red Cross for the sixth consecutive year with record units of blood collected

Customer Experience and Loyalty 

Welcomed over 3 million new SkyMiles members in the quarter marking the second consecutive record quarter

Generated record American Express remuneration with increasing premium card acquisitions
Continued to roll out fast, free Wi-Fi for SkyMiles members across the fleet, bringing total to more than 540 aircraft with full availability across Delta's global fleet planned by the end of 2024

Launched Delta Sync, the first-of-its-kind platform providing curated onboard experiences for customers

Named best airline in North America by millions of airline customers at Skytrax World Airline Awards; Earned No. 1 ranking for Best Airline Staff Service in North America

Named No. 1 for Premium Economy by J.D. Power for 2023

Delta's new Terminal C at LGA and Terminal 3 at LAX made The Condé Nast Traveler's 2023 Hot List in its "ultimate guide to planning your perfect trip"

Opened a third Delta Sky Club at Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport, the largest at MSP with seating for more than 450 and a first-of-its-kind Sky Deck for MSP

Opened five new gates at SLC, with the eastern portion of Concourse A expected by year-end
Environmental, Social and Governance 

Issued Delta's annual ESG Report which shares examples from 2022 of how Delta is creating a safer, more equitable workplace, reflecting the communities we serve while pushing towards a more sustainable future

Accelerating commitment to SAF with the purchase of 10 million gallons of SAF from Shell Aviation to be delivered over a two-year period for use at Los Angeles International Airport.
Completed electrification of nearly all core ground service equipment at hubs in SLC and BOS with goals to extend to ATL, LAX, SEA, MSP, JFK, LGA and others
Participated in SkyTeam's Sustainable Flight Challenge

Delta & LATAM expand network with new Bogota-Orlando service

This week, LATAM Airlines Colombia began its nonstop daily operation between Bogotá and Orlando, Florida, as part of the commercial agreement with Delta Air Lines. 

The flight is operated by LATAM Airlines Colombia, based on the Joint Venture with Delta, with which the subsidiary expands its international operation by offering more destinations to which passengers can access directly from Colombia to the United States. 

The international route between Bogotá and Orlando is operated daily on an Airbus A320 with a monthly offer of more than 9,900 seats. 

With this new route, the international destinations network of LATAM Airlines Colombia comprises nine (9) international routes operated to Ecuador, Peru, Chile, Brazil and the United States. 

This week, LATAM Airlines Colombia began its nonstop daily operation between Bogotá and Orlando, Florida, as part of the commercial agreement with Delta Air Lines.  

The four-hour service between the Colombian capital and Orlando, known worldwide as a family-friendly entertainment destination, also opens a new gateway to Delta’s expansive network of U.S. destinations.

To commemorate this milestone within the joint venture agreement, authorities, special guests, and customers of both airlines participated in an inaugural event at the El Dorado Airport in Bogotá, accompanying the departure of one of the flights to Orlando. 

A Delta Boeing 717 lands with nose gear up.

FAA and NTSB investigations are underway into how a Delta Boeing 717 jet landed with its nose gear retracted at Charlotte-Douglas International Airport (CLT) Wednesday morning.

The crew of Delta flight 1092 received a “nose gear unsafe” indication as they were coming in to land and immediately initiated a missed approach procedure to further investigate the indication.  During those procedures, reports say the crew flew by the air traffic control tower to enable controllers to make a visual inspection of the aircraft and see if the gear had come down. According to reports, the controllers advised that whilst the nose landing gear doors were open, the actual nose gear itself remained in the up position. 

The flight from Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport landed at Charlotte-Douglas International Airport with the nose gear up, at 8:58 a.m. EDT. Delta reported that the aircraft stayed on the runway during the landing and that there was no reported injuries to either passengers or crew.

A spokesperson said:  “Our focus is now to take care of our customers on this flight, including retrieving their bags and seeing them to their final destinations safely,” Delta said in a statement. “We apologize to our customers for what they experienced.” 

The airline has already deployed a TechOps aircraft recovery team as well as a flight safety team to Charlotte and was cooperating with the FAA and NTSB.  

In total, there were 96 passengers and 5 crew on the aircraft at the time of the incident. One of the passengers spoke to local media Channel 9:  "The crew told us there was an issue with the landing gear and instructed us to go over safety information. We came in low once and then climbed again. Second time had us brace but the landing was smooth. No jarring or even loud noises. We were in the back so that may have been why. Everyone evacuated via slides. No injuries as far as I know. Crew and pilots were wonderful!"

Plane lands at Charlotte airport without nose gear extended, Delta says – WSOC TV

.

Delta Air Lines' Boeing 717-2BD (Reg. N955AT), performing flight #DL1092 from #Atlanta to #Charlotte, landed at Charlotte, NC (CLT / KCLT) airport this morning with the nose landing gear retracted. ✈️

View #DL1092's data at https://t.co/9l2qqfLFlZ

📸: @parks3811… pic.twitter.com/0u8SBskV3A

— RadarBox (@RadarBoxCom) June 28, 2023

.A video taken by a passenger inside the aircraft seems to show no wheel shadow on the ground as the aircraft came in and then a rather smooth landing.  

pic.twitter.com/tgS0H49obG

— Breaking Aviation News & Videos (@aviationbrk) June 28, 2023

‘Delta Center’ returns to Salt Lake City

The home arena for the Utah Jazz will bring back a familiar name this summer – Delta Center – in the most visible expression of Delta’s support of the NBA team and more importantly: an expanded commitment by the airline to the Salt Lake City community – home to one its hub airports. 

Delta will become the Official Airline of the Utah Jazz and the team’s arena will re-take the Delta Center name on July 1, building on Delta’s previous role as the Official Community Partner of the team. The new agreement includes new joint community activations, fan-centric programming, and extensive sponsorship, media and branding rights for Delta with the Utah Jazz at the Delta Center and through other touchpoints. Delta will also become a sponsor of the Junior Jazz program.  

“We’re proud to partner with the Utah Jazz to serve a community that 5,000 Delta people call home and more than 26 million customers travel through each year,” said Ed Bastian, CEO of Delta Air Lines. “Through this expanded engagement, we’ll have an even stronger presence in Salt Lake City to foster an elevated community experience and cement it as the premier entertainment and leisure destination in the region.” 

“Like many Jazz fans, some of my key childhood memories came in Delta Center. The opportunity to partner with Ed Bastian and the entire Delta Team as we move into this next chapter of Utah Jazz history couldn’t be more exciting.,” said Ryan Smith, chairman of Smith Entertainment Group and governor of the Utah Jazz. “Delta’s commitment to Utah, to being a true partner, and to helping provide incredible experiences for all their guests aligns perfectly with our mission to provide exceptional fan experiences to everyone in the Utah Jazz family. Throughout this 50th anniversary season and beyond, Jazz fans will continue to make amazing memories at Delta Center.” 

Delta and the Jazz teamed up in January to formally announce the agreement, which begins this summer as the Jazz prepare for their 50th anniversary season as an NBA franchise. The partners will host a special “Welcome Home” celebration at Delta Center this fall, prior to the start of the 2023-24 NBA season. 

A Focus on Jazz Fans and Salt Lake City 

Through this new agreement, the Jazz and Delta are collaborating extensively on several opportunities including: 

Engaging the city’s youth through educational and mentorship opportunities with community organizations such as the Utah chapter of Junior Achievement. 

77 routes, 32 destinations: Delta’s largest-ever trans-Atlantic schedule starts

The U.S. mega-carrier Delta has started its largest transatlantic schedule ever which features idyllic locations such as the Cote d'Azur, sun-soaked Mediterranean islands and other vibrant cities brimming with history.

The choice of flights is vast, with the airline operating more than 650 weekly flights across the pond in peak summer, a ramp-up of 30% in seat capacity. The line-up features 77 total routes to 32 destinations across Europe and beyond, including many places where Delta operates as the largest U.S. carrier during peak summer: Italy, Iceland, France and Greece. In the past three months alone, the airline has launched or restarted 32 of these routes, most originating from key Delta hubs in Atlanta, Detroit, Los Angeles and New York-JFK.

From Atlanta....

In March, Delta renewed a daily connection between Atlanta and Tel Aviv. In May, the airline also introduced new daily flights between Atlanta and Nice, France, complementing existing service from New York-JFK, which has become one of the airline's most sought-after seasonal routes.

And Atlanta customers seeking to explore the scenic highlands or immerse themselves in majestic castles can now fly directly to Edinburgh, Scotland, following the launch of a new daily service in May, which builds on existing service from New York-JFK and Boston.

From Los Angeles

As the largest global carrier at LAX, Delta reinforced its leading position by reconnecting customers to Paris — a year-round destination known for iconic landmarks and a daily route that will serve as a crucial connection point for the upcoming Olympic and Paralympic Games Paris 2024 and LA28.

Delta people, customers and friends celebrate the departure of Delta Flight 290 from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG).

From New York

Delta has set new records at JFK with its largest trans-Atlantic schedule from that hub. Operating more than 230 weekly departures to 26 destinations, this schedule includes new additions like Geneva and the return of summer seasonal favourites like Reykjavík, Iceland; Venice, Italy; Prague; Nice; and Copenhagen, Denmark.

Delta also made a highly anticipated comeback to London Gatwick after a 15-year absence and restored its flights to Berlin, bringing its flying capacity back to the pre-pandemic levels of 2019.

Seattle: The city hidden beneath the clouds

Seattle: The city hidden beneath the clouds

Mykela Lowe

The biggest myth that surrounds this metropolitan city is the idea that rain is a constant, but don’t be fooled. Many Seattleites encourage sightseers to embrace the occasional drizzle as they explore. Every season has something you can do or see – and you can experience all four seasons without extreme weather conditions, writes Mykela Lowe.

Seattle’s greatest attribute is its weather. Yes, I said it. I stand by it. That’s because beyond the rain showers and grey skies live vast evergreen forests, soothing Pacific waters, a temperate climate every single season of the year – and a city just waiting to be discovered.

Picture it: A busy city nestled between two seemingly infinite mountain ranges, surrounded by more than 50 hiking trails and unforgettable views. Sound too good to be true? I thought so, too until I experienced it for myself.

• Must See....

Pike Place Market: Visitors will find everything they could want in fresh fish and produce. Just make sure you watch where you’re going and where you came from. It's easy to get turned around if you’re new to the market.

The first Starbucks: Grab coffee and limited-edition merchandise that can only be found at 1912 Pike Place – the Original Starbucks.

Space Needle: A historical structure left over from Seattle’s first World Fair in 1926 is one of the most iconic tourist attractions in the city. Enjoy a nice cocktail in the Loupe Lounge, as you rotate capturing multiple unimaginable views of Seattle Center below. For those looking to tame their inner adventurer, experience a virtual reality bungee jump from the top of the Space Needle.

Ride the ferry: Take a ride on the ferry across Puget Sound from the shores of Seattle.

But to help unlock the wonders of this marvellous city, I enlisted the help of two Seattleites: Michael Surkis, a scheduler for Delta’s ramp operation, and Amneris Molina-Nunez, a customer service agent.

The biggest myth that surrounds this metropolitan city is the idea that rain is a constant, but don’t be fooled. Many Seattleites encourage sightseers to embrace the occasional drizzle as they explore. According to Molina-Nunez, every season has something you can do or see – and you can experience all four seasons without extreme weather conditions.

Springtime in Seattle is one of the largest celebrations of the year. No part of the city can resist the urge to welcome a new season into its midst. “The cherry blossom in Seattle is a feast for the eyes,” said Surkis while describing his time on the University of Washington’s campus. For a more tourist-like experience, visit Skagit Valley’s numerous tulip farms, available for tours throughout the season.

During the summers, locals and tourists flock to Alki Beach to escape the uniform and bungalow architecture dominating the metropolitan area. Some might even say it even resembles the boardwalks of California. “Fine-grain sand, burger and ice cream shops, unobstructed views of the Olympic Mountain Range to the west, and if you take the short walk around the cape, you have a commanding view of downtown Seattle," said Surkis. Anywhere you go, you can’t lose.

Fall is an exciting time to be outside in Seattle. The warm weather starts to cool, and the leaves begin to change. One of Molina-Nunez’s favourite things to do is take a ferry across Puget Sound to go hiking or visit one of the many towns just a short ride away. The Bumbershoot Music Festival will be making its grand return Labor Day weekend following its hiatus during the pandemic.

Delta Sync Exclusives..............first-of-its-kind platform curates the onboard experience

Delta’s first-of-its-kind platform curates the onboard experience for customers and will soon be available on flights equipped with free Wi-Fi presented by T-Mobile.

Every journey is unique—from the sights, smells and experiences that await at your destination to the discoveries you make along the way. Introducing Delta Sync Exclusives—the curated front page to your experience helping to make every trip feel fit for you—now testing on select aircraft and rolling out this summer.  

First announced at CES 2023, the new digital experience for mobile devices brings together exclusive content, access and offers to customers beginning with Delta’s domestic mainline fleets equipped with free Wi-Fi presented by T-Mobile. Simply connect to onboard Wi-Fi and log in with SkyMiles credentials to discover the power of Delta Sync. Not a Member? No problem. Join SkyMiles for free prior to travel or onboard as you connect.  

“Delta Sync Exclusives is an entirely new platform for entertainment and discovery designed to elevate the experience for every customer,” said Ranjan Goswami, SVP – Customer Experience Design. “Customers deserve a journey that feels seamlessly fit for them, and that means delivering meaningful, personalized and relevant touch points in compelling new ways.” 

Delta began testing the new platform in late April on select aircraft flying domestically, with plans to introduce the platform on more than 540 aircraft with fast, free Wi-Fi by the end of July. By year’s end more than 700 domestic mainline aircraft set to upgrade to Delta’s new free Wi-Fi and support Delta Sync Exclusives. Delta will bring the platform and high-speed Wi-Fi to its entire global fleet by the end of 2024. 

Delta celebrates 100th U.S.-produced Airbus A321 arrival

U.S. mega-carrier Delta celebrated the production of its 100th Airbus A321 aircraft at the Airbus production centre in Mobile, Alabama.    

Airbus launched its first U.S. production facility in 2015, with just under 400 employees and Delta received its first aircraft from the Mobile facility in 2016. Because of Delta’s strong partnership with Airbus, the Mobile facility now supports more than 1,600 jobs.  The A321 is central to Delta’s fleet strategy, which focuses on delivering next-level customer service and some of the most fuel-efficient aircraft made today.  

“I am grateful for the ongoing partnership between Delta and Airbus, which continues to support good-paying jobs that help families live their American Dream, bolster local communities, and strengthen the regional economy,” said U.S. Senator Katie Britt. “This landmark achievement is only possible because of the hard work, dedication and skill of Airbus employees across Alabama.” 

Though the production of Delta’s 100th A321 from Mobile is a milestone celebration, Delta received its actual 100th aircraft from the facility last autumn.   

“Delta’s premium travel experience on our state-of-the-art fleet is made possible by manufacturing partners like Airbus,” said Kristen Bojko, V.P. -- Fleet for Delta Air Lines. “Delta’s 100th U.S.-produced A321 aircraft is a significant milestone that reinforces our commitment to flying more fuel-efficient aircraft while investing in quality U.S.-based jobs.”   

Looking back on Delta’s 45 years flying to London

Delta Air Lines is celebrating 45 years of service from the U.S. to the U.K. with a look back and a look forward.

The world looked and sounded different in 1978. Back then, flares were all the fashion. Charts on both sides of the Atlantic were dominated by John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John, with songs from film musical "Grease," while TV viewers were gripped by the feuding Ewing family in the Texas-based drama "Dallas."

As times have changed, so has Delta’s global presence. When Delta began flying nonstop from Atlanta to London Gatwick on April 30 that year, it was the airline’s first international flight that touched down using a three-engine Lockheed L-1011, better known as a Tristar. The airline’s international expansion took off, and today Delta has become one of the world’s biggest carriers.

Airline cuisine has also evolved since 1978, when Delta used the start of its London flights to introduce a three-class experience – First Class, Medallion Service (business class) and Economy Class. Today, flights to the U.K. feature three or four product experiences, including Delta One, boasting the freshest regionally sourced ingredients and chef-curated meals. Additionally, Delta is offering an enhanced Delta Premium Select experience, which offers customers an elevated dining experience.

Always entertaining......

In-flight entertainment has advanced, too. Kay Carpenter was a Delta flight attendant on that first London Gatwick flight and is still flying with Delta today.

“This was our inaugural trans-Atlantic flight; we were all excited as Delta took its first leap across the Atlantic. And to add to the excitement, we were showing our first-ever in-flight movie. It was "Oh, God!" with George Burns and John Denver. Today, customers have a huge range of film, TV and audio they can watch at their seat, as well as Wi-Fi access on all flights.

Delta flight attendant Kay Carpenter.

“In fact, so much has changed since that first flight. We offer our customers a much-enhanced service with a wider selection of meals, and seating options, personalized in-flight entertainment and just a more comfortable experience overall. With London being our first trans-oceanic flight, it helped us learn what our international customers wanted as we worked to make Delta the airline of choice.

Delta Sky Club raises the bar with nature-inspired third lounge at MSP Airport

Delta Sky Club customers traveling through Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport (MSP) can relax and recharge in a stunning new nature-inspired oasis on the upper level of the recently expanded G concourse.  

The airport’s third Club adds more than 21,000 square feet of premium space to Delta’s lounge portfolio, making it by far the largest at Delta’s Minneapolis hub. The MSP-G Club is the second lounge opened this year, and the third successive new location in the Midwest (following Chicago and Kansas City).  

With seating for more than 450, customers visiting MSP-G Club will have ample space whether they’re looking to work, socialize or simply take in the views of the airfield. Eco-conscious guests can feel good about the Club’s environmental impact: the Club is moving to over 90% waste diversion, meaning a large majority of Club waste is diverted from landfills via recycling or composting. 

Inspired by Minnesota’s designation as the “land of 10,000 lakes,” the MSP-G Club’s design concept features a rich colour palette evoking summer sunsets at the lake – earth tones like sage greens paired with warm copper and amber hues. The Club includes a year-round, all-weather Sky Deck® with seating for 110 guests. This first-of-its kind Sky Deck is bookended by two completely open-air elements — one of which features a living plant wall, with seasonal foliage refreshed three times annually—and is suffused with natural light streaming from the overhead skylight. Guests unwinding in this unique space can also enjoy a drink from one of the Club’s premium bars, located on the deck. 

Delta's MSP G-Club includes a year-round, all-weather Sky Deck® with seating for 110 guests.

Guests unwinding in the year-round, all-weather Sky Deck® at Delta's MSP G-Club can enjoy a drink from one of the Club’s premium bars, located on the deck.

After a gap of 15 years, the U.S mega-carrier, Delta has returned to London Gatwick with daily non-stop flights to New York-JFK.

After a gap of 15 years,  the U.S mega-carrier, Delta has returned to London Gatwick with daily non-stop flights to New York-JFK. 

“Delta started flying to the UK 45 years ago this month at Gatwick and so it is fitting that we are restarting our operations from Gatwick to the United States,” said Nicolas Ferri, Delta’s vice president of Europe, Middle East, Africa, and India. “On board, customers will discover an elevated service and special touches to make their journey memorable.”

Stewart Wingate said:  “We are thrilled to welcome Delta Air Lines back to Gatwick. It means that we will expand furthermore our connectivity to the US. This trust from such a network carrier as Delta underlines the competitiveness and the operational capabilities of Gatwick.

Delta is a huge name in the transatlantic market and being able to offer passengers across London and the South East the opportunity to travel with them between Gatwick and New York City is fantastic, providing not only wider choice, but further competition. It also demonstrates the strong pull of Gatwick as an airport for big-name, long-haul airlines.”

The route is serviced by recently refurbished Boeing 767-300 aircraft featuring the luxury of a fully flat-bed seat in Delta One to Delta Comfort+ and Main Cabin, customers will find an elevated onboard experience on board.

Customers in every cabin enjoy seat-back screens featuring hours of complimentary premium entertainment via Delta Studio, in-seat power, high-speed Wi-Fi (for purchase, with free Wi-Fi coming by the end of 2024) and free mobile messaging via iMessage, WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger.

All flights between the UK and the US will be operated in cooperation with Delta's joint venture partners Virgin Atlantic, Air France, and KLM which ensures price fixing and mileage compatibility. 

Delta is launching the route in direct competition with JetBlue's recent embarkation on the transatlantic market and according to sources at Delta, the company expects the route to make a loss for 13 months and has launched measures to target JetBlue customers. 

For travel insurance....

London Gatwick sees the return of Delta to compete with JetBlue.

After a gap of 15 years,  the U.S mega-carrier, Delta has returned to London Gatwick with daily non-stop flights to New York-JFK. 

“Delta started flying to the UK 45 years ago this month at Gatwick and so it is fitting that we are restarting our operations from Gatwick to the United States,” said Nicolas Ferri, Delta’s vice president of Europe, Middle East, Africa, and India. “On board, customers will discover an elevated service and special touches to make their journey memorable.”

Stewart Wingate said:  “We are thrilled to welcome Delta Air Lines back to Gatwick. It means that we will expand furthermore our connectivity to the US. This trust from such a network carrier as Delta underlines the competitiveness and the operational capabilities of Gatwick.

Delta is a huge name in the transatlantic market and being able to offer passengers across London and the South East the opportunity to travel with them between Gatwick and New York City is fantastic, providing not only wider choice, but further competition. It also demonstrates the strong pull of Gatwick as an airport for big-name, long-haul airlines.”

Delta Air Lines' March quarter 2023 financial results

Delta Air Lines has just reported financial results for the March quarter and provided its outlook for the June quarter 2023. Highlights of the March quarter, including both GAAP and adjusted metrics, are on page five and incorporated here.

"Thanks to the outstanding work and dedication of the Delta team, 2023 is off to a strong start. We provided well-deserved pay increases for our people and paid more profit sharing than the rest of the industry combined. Delta is building momentum, with the best people in the industry generating nearly $5 billion of operating profit over the last twelve months," said Ed Bastian, Delta's chief executive officer. “For the June quarter, we expect to deliver record revenue, and an adjusted operating margin of 14 to 16 percent with earnings per share of $2.00 to $2.25.”

“With solid March quarter profitability and a strong outlook for the June quarter, we are confident in our full-year guidance for revenue growth of 15 to 20 percent year over year, earnings of $5 to $6 per share and free cash flow of over $2 billion,” Bastian said.

March Quarter 2023 GAAP Financial Results

Operating revenue of $12.8 billion

Operating loss of $277 million with an operating margin of (2.2)%

Pre-tax loss of $506 million with a pre-tax margin of (4)%

EPS of ($0.57)

Operating cash flow of $2.2 billion

Payments on debt and finance lease obligations of $1.2 billion

Total debt and finance lease obligations of $22 billion at quarter end

Adjusted Financial Results

Operating revenue of $11.8 billion, 45% higher than the March quarter 2022 and 14% higher than the March quarter 2019, including a 1 point impact from flying lower capacity than initially planned

Operating income of $546 million with an operating margin of 4.6%

Pre-tax income of $217 million with a pre-tax margin of 1.8%

Earnings per share of $0.25

Operating cash flow of $2.9 billion

Free cash flow of $1.9 billion

$9.5 billion in liquidity* and adjusted net debt of $21 billion at quarter end

*Includes cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments and undrawn revolving credit facilities

14 million miles and counting: Delta celebrates most-travelled customer

Among Delta’s most frequent travellers, there are the Silver, Gold, Platinum and Diamond Medallion Members. There are people who have travelled 1, 2 and even up to 13 million miles on Delta jets. But there is one customer who holds the travel bragging rights trump card: Todd O., Delta’s first and only 14 Million Miler. 

Read that again: 14. Fourteen. FOURTEEN million miles, flying with Delta. Even more astounding: Todd leapt from 13 to 14 million miles in only 18 months. “Let’s not call it an ‘accomplishment,’” Todd laughed when congratulated and thanked for his loyalty to Delta, agreeing that the word “milestone” might be a more apt word for his achievement. “The only thing I do is sit in a seat!” 

Todd’s humility is rooted in a deep appreciation of Delta’s operational excellence, reliability and the close bonds he’s forged with Delta people. “The people at Delta are special,” he said. “I admire the frontline teams.” 

“Everyone who works at the Delta Sky Club knows him,” said John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) Operations Service Manager Ikrame Elaouane.  

It’s not unusual for Todd to go out of his way to spend time with Delta people at the JFK Delta Sky Club, even going so far as to help those ambassadors and his fellow customers when he sees people in need, Elaouane said. “He’s very humble and very sweet.” 

Delta Cargo unveils largest cooler facility at New York-JFK

From pharmaceuticals to flowers, perishable goods flying in and out of New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport will now receive even higher-touch handling with the unveiling of Delta Cargo’s newest cooler.  

The new, state-of-the-art facility is the largest of its kind at JFK and offers an upgraded experience for customers with cargo that requires specialized handling for temperature-sensitive goods being shipped around the globe.  

“This is just one of the significant investments Delta is making to innovate and expand our service offerings to our Cargo customers,” said Rob Walpole, Vice President – Delta Cargo. “By expanding our cold chain footprint and leveraging our extensive partner and route network at JFK, we are offering an unparalleled set of options for our customers looking to move temperature-sensitive shipments through the Northeast corridor.” 

The JFK cooler will serve as the premier cold chain facility for pharmaceutical and healthcare products, while also enabling perishable cargo shipping of produce and fresh goods. The cooler boasts expert temperature monitoring, enhanced control and oversight, and specially trained and certified staff to ensure precise handling and integrity of the cold chain.   

A marquee investment for Delta Cargo, the cooler was strategically built into the JFK infrastructure to streamline time in transit. Customers will also benefit from the hub’s unparalleled global access and connectivity. Delta is JFK’s largest global carrier, operating up to 34 flights to 26 cities across Europe, Africa and the Middle East*— including the top 10 pharma markets — as well as service to key Latin American and Caribbean markets. 

Delta expands service to the Caribbean, Latin America and Mexico....

U.S. customers seeking a warm getaway during the holidays are in luck: Delta is adding seasonal routes from its Atlanta, New York-JFK, Detroit and Minneapolis hubs to several tropical destinations.

With over 20% more seats vs. the 2022 holiday season, Delta’s holiday 2023 Latin America schedule will be the largest in its history, with expanded service across Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean. This growth comes as Delta works toward full restoration of its network after operating at 85% overall capacity in 2022, with a key focus on its U.S. hubs. 

New Yorkers can take advantage of more flights bound for the top three Latin American markets from JFK: San Juan (SJU), Santo Domingo (SDQ), and Santiago (STI)*. With these added routes, Delta will operate over 30 peak-day flights to 19 Latin America destinations from JFK.