"Delta Air Lines just capped its centennial year with record revenue, record free cash flow, and a fresh jet order, even as its CEO warns that the "bottom end" of the industry is "struggling greatly" and Wall Street remains on edge over tariffs and the fragile economics of budget flying. America's most profitable airline used its fourth‑quarter 2025 earnings call on Tuesday to argue that premium-seeking, high‑income travelers-and the loyalty ecosystem built around them-are insulating it from the turbulence battering lower‑cost rivals and jittery investors."
"CEO Ed Bastian also talked openly about the struggles elsewhere in the industry. "The bottom end of the industry on the commodity side of the business has been struggling greatly," he told analysts on the earnings call. The economic woes of average Americans don't seem to be hitting Delta's profits, though. Delta said it expects adjusted earnings per share to come in between $6.50 to $7.50 in 2026,"
Delta reported record full‑year revenue of $58.3 billion in 2025, a 2.3% increase, with a 10% operating margin and $5 billion in pre‑tax income. Free cash flow reached $4.6 billion, the highest in company history, enabling a greater than 50% reduction in leverage over three years and a very strong balance sheet and credit profile. Delta expects adjusted earnings per share of $6.50 to $7.50 in 2026 versus $5.82 in 2025. Executives cited premium-seeking, high‑income travelers and the loyalty ecosystem as insulating profit performance. CEO Ed Bastian warned that the commodity, lower‑cost segment is struggling greatly, and shares fell over 3% after guidance missed pre‑tariff targets.
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