The third largest airline in the United States, Delta Airlines, has reported its best-ever December quarter in its history with a net income of USD 1.6 billion, reflecting a growth of almost 46 pc over the same quarter in 2023.

In a press statement, Delta says that it also recorded its best-ever full year in 2024, with a record full year 2024 revenue of USD 61.6 billion, pre-tax income of USD 5 billion and operating cash flow of USD 8 billion. It also recorded an operating profit of USD 6 billion with an operating margin of 9.7 pc and pre-tax profit of USD 4.7 billion with a pre-tax margin of 7.6 pc.

The airline says that it expects the strong growth to continue for the current quarter as well as for the full year.  It expects a free cash flow of over USD 4 billion and expects March 2025 quarter revenue growth of 7-9 pc with earnings of USD 0.7-1 per share.

It says that in light of a successful 2024 and growing demand for premium travel as well as the industry’s improved pricing power the airlines expects 2025 to be its best performing year in the company’s 100 years history.

Ed Bastian

“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 USD 6 billion, earnings per share greater than USD 7.35 and free cash flow of more than USD 4 billion,” says Ed Bastian, Chief Executive Officer, Delta.

In the previous year, Delta recorded December quarter earnings per share of USD 1.85, USD 0.10 better than the analysts’ estimate of USD 1.75.

Delta adds that it expects to generate more than USD 4 billion in free cash this year, up 18 pc from 2024 and in the mid-point of its annual target of between USD 3 billion and USD 5 billion.

Glen Hauenstein

“Delta built momentum as we closed out 2024, with December quarter total revenue growth of 5.7 pc coming in ahead of guidance as our team delivered industry-leading operational performance and demand trends accelerated through the quarter. With strength continuing into the New Year, we expect March quarter adjusted revenue to be 7-9 pc higher than 2024 on growth in capacity and unit revenue,” says Glen Hauenstein, President, Delta.

According to the statement, the company took delivery of 11 aircraft in the December quarter, bringing full-year aircraft deliveries to 38, which included the A321neo, A220-300, A330-900 and A350-900 aircraft. The airlines also added new 13 new Latin America routes and the first ever nonstop service between Minneapolis-St Paul and Copenhagen.