DELTA AIR LINES, INC. (DAL) Earnings History

DELTA AIR LINES, INC. - Q4 FY2025 Earnings

Filed at: Jan 13, 2026, 6:30 AM EST|Read from source

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Delta Air Lines reported a strong finish to 2025, achieving record revenues and demonstrating durability in its industry-leading performance. The company highlighted accelerating momentum for 2026 with expectations for significant earnings growth.

POSITIVE HIGHLIGHTS

  • •

    Record operating revenue of $16.0 billion in the December quarter and $63.4 billion for the full year 2025.

    positive
  • •

    Full year 2025 non-GAAP operating revenue of $58.3 billion, a 2.3% increase over 2024.

    positive
  • •

    December quarter non-GAAP operating revenue of $14.6 billion, a 1.2% increase year-over-year.

    positive
  • •

    Full year 2025 non-GAAP earnings per share of $5.82, an increase from $5.33 in 2024.

    positive
  • •

    Full year 2025 free cash flow of $4.6 billion.

    positive
  • •

    Full year 2025 return on invested capital of 12.0 percent.

    positive
  • •

    Diverse, high-margin revenue streams grew 7% in 2025, representing 60% of total revenue.

    positive
  • •

    American Express remuneration grew 11% to $8.2 billion in 2025.

    positive
  • •

    Named most on-time airline in the U.S. for the fifth year in a row by Cirium.

    positive

CONCERNS & RISKS

  • •

    December quarter GAAP operating income decreased by 15% to $1.5 billion compared to the prior year.

    attention
  • •

    Non-fuel CASM (Cost per Available Seat Mile) increased by 4.0% year-over-year in the December quarter.

    attention
  • •

    Total operating revenue growth in the December quarter was impacted by about 2 points from the government shutdown.

    attention
  • •

    Full year 2025 GAAP operating income decreased by 3% to $5.8 billion compared to the prior year.

    attention

FINANCIAL METRICS

Revenue
Quarterly
$16.00B
+2.9%
Prior year: $15.56B
Annual (YTD)
$63.36B
N/A
Prior year: $61.64B
Net Income
Quarterly
$1.22B
+44.6%
Prior year: $843.00M
Annual (YTD)
$5.00B
N/A
Prior year: $3.46B
EPS (Diluted)
Quarterly
$1.86
+44.2%
Prior year: $1.29
Annual (YTD)
$7.66
N/A
Prior year: $5.33
Operating Income
Quarterly
$1.47B
-14.6%
Prior year: $1.72B
Annual (YTD)
$5.82B
N/A
Prior year: $6.00B
EPS (Basic)
Quarterly
$1.88
+43.5%
Prior year: $1.31
Annual (YTD)
$7.72
N/A
Prior year: $5.39

MARGIN ANALYSIS

Operating Margin
Current Quarter
9.2%
Prior Year
11.0%
YoY Change
-180 bps
Net Margin
Current Quarter
7.6%
Prior Year
5.4%
YoY Change
+220 bps

Margin expansion indicates improving profitability and operational efficiency. Measured in basis points (bps): 100 bps = 1.0%.

MANAGEMENT GUIDANCE

FY 2026

eps
$6.50—$7.50
Mid-point: $7.00
"Expected to grow 20 percent year-over-year at mid-point"
free_cash_flow
3—4
Mid-point: 3.5
"($B)"

Q1 2026

revenue
$5.0M—$7.0M
Mid-point: $6.0M
"Up 5% - 7% year-over-year"
operating_margin
4.5%—6.0%
Mid-point: 5.3%
eps
$0.50—$0.90
Mid-point: $0.70

Forward-looking guidance is subject to change and does not constitute a guarantee. Actual results may differ materially from these estimates.

MANAGEMENT COMMENTARY

The Delta team delivered a strong close to our Centennial year, demonstrating the differentiation and durability we’ve built.

— DELTA AIR LINES, INC., Q4 FY2025 2025 Earnings Call

We generated $5 billion of pre-tax profit with a double-digit operating margin and record free cash flow of $4.6 billion, all while navigating a challenging environment.

— DELTA AIR LINES, INC., Q4 FY2025 2025 Earnings Call

2026 is off to a strong start with top-line growth accelerating on consumer and corporate demand. For the full year, we expect to deliver margin expansion and earnings growth of 20 percent year-over-year.

— DELTA AIR LINES, INC., Q4 FY2025 2025 Earnings Call

Commentary excerpts from earnings call transcripts provide management's perspective on performance, strategy, and outlook. Always review full transcripts for complete context.

OPERATIONAL METRICS

Am Ex Remuneration
8200.0M
+11.0% YoY
dollars
Fuel Efficiency
14.3
gallons per 1,000 ASMs
Fuel Price Per Gallon
2.3
-3.4% YoY
Prior year: 2.4
dollars
Non Fuel Casm Cents
14.3
+4.0% YoY
Prior year: 13.7
cents

Operational metrics provide insight into business drivers and customer engagement beyond traditional financial measures.

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