Why Delta Is Better at Taking Your Money
Its lucrative regional business makes it king of profits compared with rival airlines American and United.
Photographer: Patrick T. Fallon/Bloomberg
This article is for subscribers only.
While all U.S. airlines have benefited from consolidation and tame fuel costs, the biggest carriers have become the real cash cows. But even among the rarefied Big Three, there can only be one at the top. Currently, Delta Air Lines Inc. sits as king of the profit hill.
The years of bankruptcies and bailouts are a distant memory. These days, cheap fuel and strong demand are pouring billions of dollars into airline coffers. Recently, the robust profits at Delta have surged, eclipsing its two legacy rivals. On Thursday, Delta reported a $1.2 billion net income for the second quarter, with a profit margin of almost 19 percent.