Delta takes flight after strong Q3

Core Insights - Delta Airlines reported strong third-quarter results, exceeding analyst expectations in both revenue and earnings per share (EPS) [1][2][6] - The company raised its guidance for the fourth quarter, indicating continued confidence in corporate travel recovery [4][5] Financial Performance - Delta's EPS for the third quarter was $1.70, surpassing the street's expectation of $1.53 [2] - Premium revenue increased by 9% year-over-year, while corporate revenue saw an 8% increase in the third quarter compared to the same period last year [2][6] - The company anticipates fourth-quarter revenue growth of 2% to 4%, with an operating margin forecasted between 10.5% and 12% [5] Corporate Travel Trends - There is a notable resurgence in corporate travel, with Delta observing increased demand from business travelers who typically pay premium prices [7][10] - Delta's CEO indicated that corporate travel is at least back to pre-pandemic levels, if not exceeding them [8] - The airline reported growth in corporate travel across all industries tracked, with no sectors showing a decline quarter-over-quarter [10]