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Delta Air Lines, Inc.: Q3 FY2026 earnings call

What management said about Q3 FY2026, from the documents filed with the SEC on 9 October 2026: press release. Guidance figures: 1 raised, 2 lowered, 9 new, 1 kept. The quarter’s numbers.

Key takeaways

  • September revenue grew 16 percent adjusted: Adjusted operating revenue rose 16 percent to $17.6 billion on flat capacity. GAAP operating revenue was $20.2 billion, up 21 percent, including $2.6 billion of third-party refinery sales. Source
  • Full-year adjusted EPS guidance lowered: Full-year adjusted EPS guidance is $5.10 to $5.60, down from the $6.50 to $7.50 range given in July. Adjusted diluted EPS for the quarter was $1.72. Source
  • Adjusted fuel price up 60 percent: Adjusted fuel price was $3.61 per gallon, with a 13-cent refinery benefit. Adjusted fuel expense was $4.1 billion, up 62 percent, on gallons 1 percent higher. Source
  • Non-fuel unit cost up 7.3 percent: Non-fuel CASM rose 7.3 percent to 14.03 cents on flat capacity. Management cited higher crew and revenue-related costs as the main drivers. Source
  • Free cash flow was $463 million: Free cash flow was $463 million, against $833 million a year earlier, after gross capital expenditures of $1.4 billion. Year-to-date free cash flow was $1.9 billion. Source
  • Adjusted net debt down $950 million: Adjusted net debt was $13.4 billion at quarter-end, down from $14.3 billion at year-end 2025. Source
  • On-time lead and record baggage: Management said the company widened its industry lead in on-time performance and achieved record baggage results. A September quarter record was set for Domestic mishandled baggage rate. Source

“Our resilience reflects the structural durability we’ve built over many years, enabling us to effectively navigate one of the most elevated fuel environments in recent times.”

Ed Bastian, Delta’s chief executive officer

Guidance

AreaPeriodFigureAgainst last quarter
Total revenue growth SourceDecember quarter 2026approximately 20 percentNew
Operating margin SourceDecember quarter 20267% - 9%New
Adjusted EPS SourceDecember quarter 2026$1.15 - $1.65New
All-in fuel price SourceDecember quarter 2026approximately $4.25 per gallonNew
Non-fuel unit cost growth SourceDecember quarter 2026improve 1 to 2 points sequentiallyNew
Seat capacity SourceDecember quarter 2026growing less than 2 percentNew
Adjusted EPS Sourcefull year 2026$5.10 to $5.60Lowered from $6.50 to $7.50
Free cash flow Sourcefull year 2026approximately $2.5 billionLowered from $3 to $4 billion
Gross leverage Sourceyear-end 2026approximately 2.2xRaised from approximately 2x
Debt reduction Sourcefull year 2026more than $2 billionNew
Pre-tax profit Sourcefull year 2026roughly $4.5 billionNew
Return on invested capital Sourcefull year 2026double-digitNew
Non-fuel unit cost growth Source2027low-single-digitKept

What changed from last quarter

  • Guidance lowered: Full-year adjusted EPS guidance moved from $6.50 to $7.50 to $5.10 to $5.60. Source
  • Guidance lowered: Full-year free cash flow guidance moved from $3 to $4 billion to approximately $2.5 billion. Source
  • Guidance raised: The year-end gross leverage figure moved up from approximately 2x to approximately 2.2x. Source
  • New guidance: Guidance was given for the December quarter on revenue, EPS, operating margin and fuel price. Source
  • New: The company announced a strategic relationship with Hyatt, expanding the SkyMiles loyalty ecosystem. Source
  • New: A Chief Data Officer position was established, with Ramnik Bajaj welcomed to the role. Source
  • New: The non-fuel cost measure was given an updated definition that excludes fuel and related taxes, third-party refinery sales, MRO expense and profit sharing. Source

Results and growth drivers

  • September revenue grew 16 percent adjusted: Adjusted operating revenue rose 16 percent to $17.6 billion on flat capacity. GAAP operating revenue was $20.2 billion, up 21 percent, including $2.6 billion of third-party refinery sales. Source
  • Pre-tax profit matched last year: Adjusted pre-tax income was $1.5 billion, an 8.5 percent margin, against $1.5 billion a year earlier. GAAP pre-tax income was $1.1 billion, a 5.3 percent margin. Source
  • Full-year adjusted EPS guidance lowered: Full-year adjusted EPS guidance is $5.10 to $5.60, down from the $6.50 to $7.50 range given in July. Adjusted diluted EPS for the quarter was $1.72. Source

Segments and regions

  • Domestic unit revenue up 16 percent: Domestic unit revenue grew 16 percent on higher yields, with load factor 1 point above last year. Domestic revenue was $10.6 billion. Source
  • Latin America led international growth: International unit revenue rose 12 percent. Latin America unit revenue grew 22 percent, and Transatlantic unit revenue growth improved 4 points sequentially to 11 percent. Source
  • Transpacific grew on new Asia routes: Transpacific revenue grew 13 percent on 8 percent higher capacity. The company cited new routes to Asia as supporting profitable growth. Source

“September quarter revenue grew approximately 16 percent over prior year, on flat capacity, driven by broad demand strength and healthy yield growth as we cover higher costs and manage the business for margins,”

Joe Esposito, Delta’s chief commercial officer

Products, loyalty and customers

  • Diverse revenue reached 61 percent: Diverse revenue streams were 61 percent of total revenue. Premium, cargo and MRO revenue each grew double digits, and total loyalty revenue rose 18 percent. Source
  • Premium revenue rose on yield: Premium revenue grew 18 percent, with double-digit unit revenue growth from yield and load factor, on seats up 6 percent. Source
  • Cargo and MRO revenue expanded: Cargo revenue rose 29 percent, with roughly equal growth from volume and yield. MRO revenue rose 28 percent, reaching $990 million year-to-date. Source
  • Card remuneration on track above $9 billion: American Express remuneration grew 15 percent in the quarter and is positioned to exceed $9 billion for the full year. Travel products and non-air partnership revenue rose 25 percent. Source

Costs and fuel

  • Adjusted fuel price up 60 percent: Adjusted fuel price was $3.61 per gallon, with a 13-cent refinery benefit. Adjusted fuel expense was $4.1 billion, up 62 percent, on gallons 1 percent higher. Source
  • Non-fuel unit cost up 7.3 percent: Non-fuel CASM rose 7.3 percent to 14.03 cents on flat capacity. Management cited higher crew and revenue-related costs as the main drivers. Source
  • Operating expense rose 25 percent: GAAP operating expense grew 25 percent to $18.7 billion. Adjusted operating expense grew 18 percent to $15.9 billion, after excluding third-party refinery sales and hedge settlements. Source
  • Non-fuel cost growth expected to ease: Management expects December quarter non-fuel unit cost growth to improve 1 to 2 points sequentially, with slightly higher capacity and continued efficiencies. Source

“Delta delivered earnings of $1.72 per share in the September quarter, in line with last year while absorbing more than $500 million of higher fuel costs compared to our guidance in early July.”

Erik Snell, Delta’s chief financial officer

Demand and corporate sales

  • Management cites consumer travel demand: Management attributes demand to consumers' growing preference for experiences and travel, and to air travel's value in the consumer economy. Source
  • Corporate sales grew in every sector: Corporate sales grew double digits in all sectors, led by Banking, Technology and Energy, with particular gains in Boston and Los Angeles. Source
  • Corporate survey expects steady travel: A recent corporate survey found over 90 percent of respondents expect corporate travel to increase or stay the same in 2027. Source
  • Air traffic liability rose to $9.6 billion: Air traffic liability was $9.6 billion at September 30, 2026, up from $7.2 billion at December 31, 2025. Source

Capital, cash and debt

  • Free cash flow was $463 million: Free cash flow was $463 million, against $833 million a year earlier, after gross capital expenditures of $1.4 billion. Year-to-date free cash flow was $1.9 billion. Source
  • Adjusted net debt down $950 million: Adjusted net debt was $13.4 billion at quarter-end, down from $14.3 billion at year-end 2025. Source
  • Debt payments of $1.2 billion: Payments on debt and finance lease obligations were $1.2 billion in the quarter. Total debt and finance lease obligations were $12.9 billion at quarter-end. Source
  • Operating cash flow of $1.7 billion: Adjusted operating cash flow was $1.7 billion, against $1.8 billion a year earlier, with gross capital expenditures of $1.4 billion. Source

Operations, network and fleet

  • On-time lead and record baggage: Management said the company widened its industry lead in on-time performance and achieved record baggage results. A September quarter record was set for Domestic mishandled baggage rate. Source
  • Thirteen aircraft delivered: The company took delivery of 13 aircraft in the quarter, including A350-900, A321neo and A220-300 types. Source
  • Los Angeles schedule expanded: The company expanded its Los Angeles position with its largest-ever schedule, adding new and increased service to multiple U.S. destinations. Source

People, strategy and partnerships

  • Hyatt relationship joins SkyMiles: The company announced a strategic relationship with Hyatt, adding another premium brand to the SkyMiles loyalty ecosystem. Source
  • Chief Data Officer role created: The company established a Chief Data Officer position, with Ramnik Bajaj welcomed to advance its data and AI capabilities and decision-making. Source
  • Profit sharing accrual near $900 million: Nearly $900 million of profit sharing has been accrued year-to-date toward the payout next February. Source
  • Sustainable fuel access expanded: The company expanded access to sustainable aviation fuel through a multi-airport agreement with Shell Aviation. Source

Coming up, as management said on 9 October 2026

  • New routes begin in 2027: Service from Seattle to Tokyo-Narita, Los Angeles to Manila, Austin to Paris-Charles de Gaulle, Detroit to Athens and Boston to Venice is due to begin in 2027. Source

Figures management reported

FigureReported
Revenue passenger miles (millions) Source68,133 vs 67,621, up 1%
Available seat miles (millions) Source79,288 vs 79,054, flat
Passenger load factor Source86%, flat
Passenger mile yield (cents) Source22.80, up 14%
TRASM (cents) Source25.46, up 21%
TRASM, adjusted (cents) Source22.18, up 15%
Average fuel price per gallon Source$3.80, up 68%
Average fuel price per gallon, adjusted Source$3.61, up 60%
Fuel gallons consumed (millions) Source1,146 vs 1,138, up 1%
Fuel efficiency (gallons per 1,000 ASMs) Source14.5
Aircraft delivered Source13 in the quarter

Risks management discussed

  • External: Management said fuel costs rose by a $6 billion increase for the full year, which the company expects to absorb while still generating roughly $4.5 billion pre-tax. Source
  • Operational: Summer storms added nearly one point to non-fuel unit cost growth in the quarter, according to management. Source

Earlier plans management reported on

  • On track: Management said it remains on track for low-single-digit unit cost growth next year as capacity normalizes. Source
  • Not stated: Prior guidance for the September quarter was EPS of $2.00 to $2.50 and an 11 to 13 percent operating margin. Reported adjusted EPS was $1.72 and adjusted operating margin 9.4 percent.
  • Not stated: The current release gives year-end gross leverage of approximately 2.2x in place of the earlier approximately 2x.
  • Not stated: The prior release affirmed guidance to grow earnings 20 percent; the current release gives full-year EPS of $5.10 to $5.60.

Other quarters

Summarised with AI from the documents the company filed with the SEC. Every point is checked against the filing before it is shown: management’s own words word for word, figures against the line or table row they come from. A point that fails the check is left out. Source opens the filing at that line.