Delta Rejects Drastic Changes After $14.7 Billion Profit Run as U.S. Airline Turmoil Deepens
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · May 26
Delta Rejects Drastic Changes After $14.7 Billion Profit Run as U.S. Airline Turmoil Deepens
1 articles · Updated · The New York Times · May 26
Ed Bastian said Delta sees no need for major strategic shifts, arguing steady, timely adjustments have kept the airline insulated from the industry's latest upheaval.
Nearly $14.7 billion in profit over five years has come from Delta's long-running push for higher-paying travelers, with premium seats and airport lounges helping make it the most profitable U.S. carrier.
That stability stands out as Spirit shut down this month, jet fuel prices have jumped about 50% amid the Iran war, and some airline executives are openly discussing mergers.
United is trying to close the gap by expanding and copying Delta's premium-service model, leaving the key question whether Delta can hold its lead in a business where fortunes can reverse quickly.
As rivals copy its premium strategy, is Delta's decade-long market dominance facing its greatest test?
As airlines create a 'K-shaped' sky, are economy passengers facing a future of declining service?
Is Delta’s $8 billion loyalty program now more critical to its success than the planes it flies?