The earnings call reflected a strong financial performance for Delta in 2024, with record profits and operational excellence. The outlook for 2025 is positive, with anticipated revenue growth and strategic partnerships enhancing customer experience. However, there are some challenges noted, such as the impact of wildfires and pressure on main cabin revenue, but these do not overshadow the overall positive trajectory.

Company Guidance

During the Delta Air Lines Q4 2024 earnings call, the executives provided optimistic guidance for 2025. They projected a 7% to 9% revenue growth for the March quarter, driven by strong demand and industry dynamics. Operating margins are expected to expand by 2 points, with earnings per share (EPS) nearly doubling from the previous year. For the full year, Delta anticipates EPS greater than $7.35, indicating a growth of over 20% compared to 2024, with free cash flow surpassing $4 billion. The company plans to reduce its leverage ratio to 2x or less, supported by robust cash generation, while maintaining low single-digit non-fuel unit cost growth. Additionally, Delta highlighted an expected capacity increase of 3% to 4%, mainly in premium cabins, and emphasized the significant role of partnerships and technology in enhancing customer experience and loyalty.

Record December Quarter Profit

Delta reported a December quarter pretax profit of $1.6 billion, marking the largest December quarter profit in its history, improving more than $500 million over last year.

Operational Excellence Recognition

Delta achieved industry-leading performance with the #1 system completion factor and on-time performance, and was recognized with Cirium's Platinum Award for operational excellence for the fourth consecutive year.

Strong Financial Performance in 2024

Full year earnings per share of $6.16, with a return on invested capital of 13%, and free cash flow of $3.4 billion, a nearly $1.5 billion improvement over 2023.

Investment Grade Rating Restored

S&P upgraded Delta, restoring its balance sheet to investment-grade level at all three major credit agencies.

Employee Rewards and Profit Sharing

Delta announced a $1.4 billion profit-sharing payout for employees, one of the top 3 in its history, and a 5% pay increase in 2024.

Strong Start to 2025

Delta is on track for its best financial year with expectations of more than $4 billion in free cash flow and earnings per share greater than $7.35.

New Partnerships and Innovations

Delta announced partnerships with YouTube and Uber, and introduced Delta Concierge and Delta Sync to enhance customer experience.

Premium and Loyalty Revenue Growth

Premium revenue grew 8% over 2023, and total loyalty revenue increased by 9%.

---

Delta Air Lines (DAL) Earnings, Revenues Date & History

The upcoming earnings date is based on a company’s previous reporting, and may be updated when the actual date is announced

Daily Earnings Calendar >

DAL Earnings History

Report Date	Fiscal Quarter	Forecast / EPS	Last Year's EPS	EPS YoY Change	Slides	Play Transcript
Oct 11, 2018	2018 (Q3)	- / 1.80	1.57	14.65% (+0.23)	―	―
Jan 15, 2019	2018 (Q4)	- / 1.30	0.96	35.42% (+0.34)	―	―
Apr 10, 2019	2019 (Q1)	- / 0.96	0.74	29.73% (+0.22)	―	―
Jul 11, 2019	2019 (Q2)	- / 2.35	1.77	32.77% (+0.58)	―	―
Oct 10, 2019	2019 (Q3)	- / 2.32	1.8	28.89% (+0.52)	―	―
Jan 14, 2020	2019 (Q4)	- / 1.70	1.3	30.77% (+0.40)	―	―
Apr 22, 2020	2020 (Q1)	- / -0.51	0.96	-153.13% (-1.47)	―	―
Jul 14, 2020	2020 (Q2)	- / -4.43	2.35	-288.51% (-6.78)	―	―
Oct 13, 2020	2020 (Q3)	- / -3.30	2.32	-242.24% (-5.62)	―	―
Jan 14, 2021	2020 (Q4)	- / -2.53	1.7	-248.82% (-4.23)	―	―

The table shows recent earnings report dates and whether the forecast was beat or missed. See the change in forecast and EPS from the previous year.

Beat

Missed

---

DAL Earnings-Related Price Changes

Report Date	Price 1 Day Before	Price 1 Day After	Percentage Change
Jan 10, 2025	$61.42	$66.95	+9.00%
Oct 10, 2024	$50.83	$50.29	-1.06%
Jul 11, 2024	$46.56	$44.70	-3.99%
Apr 10, 2024	$46.93	$45.86	-2.28%

Earnings announcements can affect a stock’s price. This table shows the stock's price the day before and the day after recent earnings reports, including the percentage change.

---