Delta Airlines' earnings report for the fourth quarter and full year of 2024 was released on January 10, 2025.
Revenue for the airline exceeded analyst expectations by $15.6 billion in the fourth quarter.
Delta's operating revenue for the full year reached $61.6 billion, the best ever.
Pre-tax income for the year was $5 billion, and operating cash flow was $8 billion.
In the fourth quarter, Delta's earnings per share (EPS) were $1.85, beating analysts' expectations of $1.76.
Operating margin for the quarter was 11.0%, with pre-tax margin of 7.7%.
EPS for the full year was $5.33, with an operating margin of 9.7% and a pretax margin of 7.6%.
Delta anticipates strong travel demand in 2025.
It is predicted that revenue will grow by 7% to 9% in the first quarter of 2025, with earnings between $0.70 and $1.00 per share.
Also, Delta forecasts full-year earnings of $7.35 per share and free cash flow of more than $4 billion for 2025.
Ed Bastian, Delta's CEO, is optimistic about the airline's future, citing corporate bookings and international travel as reasons.
“2024 was a great year for Delta with our results reflecting differentiation from the industry and increased durability. Our people finished the year strong, delivering industry-leading operational and financial performance. Sharing Delta’s success is core to our culture, and I’m excited to recognise our people's outstanding efforts with $1.4 billion in profit sharing payments next month,” said 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 $6 billion, earnings per share greater than $7.35 and free cash flow of more than $4 billion.”
Among the aircraft planned for expansion is the Airbus 350-1000, which will be one of the 40 upgraded aircraft.
At the time of writing, Delta Air Lines Inc. (NYSE: DAL) has a stock price of US$66.95. The market cap is approximately US$43.20 billion.