Delta Air Lines Announces December Quarter and Full Year 2025 Financial Results

Core Insights - Delta Air Lines reported record revenue for the December quarter and full year 2025, with a pre-tax profit of $5 billion and a double-digit operating margin, reflecting strong financial performance and industry leadership [1][2][7] - The company anticipates a 20% year-over-year earnings growth for 2026, supported by strong consumer and corporate demand [3][6] - Delta expects March quarter revenue to grow by 5% to 7% year-over-year, indicating continued momentum [8] Financial Performance - Full year 2025 operating revenue reached $63.4 billion, a 3% increase from 2024, with operating income of $5.8 billion and an operating margin of 9.2% [5][21] - In the December quarter, operating revenue was $16.0 billion, with a pre-tax income of $1.5 billion and an operating margin of 9.2% [5][21] - Earnings per share for the full year 2025 was $7.66, up from $5.33 in 2024, reflecting a significant increase in profitability [21] Revenue Environment - Delta achieved a unit revenue premium of nearly 115% relative to the industry, with high-margin diversified revenue streams contributing to 60% of total revenue [7][8] - Premium revenue grew by 7% year-over-year, while cargo revenue increased by 9% and MRO revenue grew by 25% [8] - Corporate sales improved across all sectors, with nearly 90% of companies expecting travel volume to increase or remain steady in 2026 [8] Cost Performance - Non-fuel unit cost growth was 2% in 2025, aligning with Delta's long-term target of low-single digit growth [9] - The company expects to maintain cost performance in 2026, with capacity growth projected at approximately 3% [9] Balance Sheet and Cash Flow - Delta generated $4.6 billion in free cash flow in 2025, allowing for continued debt paydown and improving gross leverage to 2.4x [12] - The company closed the year with adjusted net debt of approximately $14 billion and unencumbered assets of $35 billion, positioning Delta with a strong balance sheet [12] Fleet Update - Delta announced an agreement with Boeing to purchase thirty 787-10 widebody aircraft, with deliveries scheduled to begin in 2031, enhancing fuel efficiency and long-haul capabilities [13][17] Customer Experience and Loyalty - Delta was named the most on-time airline in the U.S. for the fifth consecutive year, reflecting its commitment to operational excellence [19][24] - The airline's loyalty program saw significant growth, with over 1.5 million SkyMiles members linking their accounts with Uber since the partnership launched [23]