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Delta Keeps Prices High, Posts Q2 Earnings Beat

7/11/2026

45 11 Full Breakdown

Summary

Delta Keeps Prices High

Delta CEO Ed Bastian said Delta will keep ticket prices high despite lower jet fuel costs.
Delta posted Q2 adjusted EPS of $1.56 and revenue of $17.67 billion, beating $17.53 billion.
Fuel expense rose $1.9 billion (75% YoY) while passenger revenue grew $1.7 billion, yielding a $1.4 billion profit.
Delta expects a 20% Q3 fuel-cost drop and a 2026 earnings target of $6.50-$7.50 per share.
Net income fell 25% to $1.6 billion, or $2.44 per share.

Summary

Delta Posts Premium

Delta reported premium-class ticket revenue of $6.92 billion versus $6.85 billion for main-cabin sales in Q2.
Corporate travel rebounded while demand from the 2026 World Cup exceeded expectations, boosting passenger volumes.
CFO Erik Snell said the airline recovered about 60% of the fuel-cost surge in Q2, faster than before.
Delta warned that renewed U.S.–Iran hostilities have pushed spot jet fuel above $3 per gallon, adding cost volatility.

History

Historical Context

The October 1973 OAPEC oil embargo cut production and pushed U.S. crude to about $12 a barrel, spiking airline fuel costs by roughly 70% and raising fares 15%. Today again Delta Air Lines reports a $1.9 billion fuel surge and $3-per-gallon jet fuel, prompting the US Department of Transportation to examine fare-setting.

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Delta Keeps Prices High

Delta CEO Ed Bastian said Delta will keep ticket prices high despite lower jet fuel costs.
Delta posted Q2 adjusted EPS of $1.56 and revenue of $17.67 billion, beating $17.53 billion.
Fuel expense rose $1.9 billion (75% YoY) while passenger revenue grew $1.7 billion, yielding a $1.4 billion profit.
Delta expects a 20% Q3 fuel-cost drop and a 2026 earnings target of $6.50-$7.50 per share.
Net income fell 25% to $1.6 billion, or $2.44 per share.

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