Delta CEO says flying will feel more like streaming as the airline furthers its premium push

Delta Air Lines (DAL) CEO Ed Bastian wants travelers to forget the turbulence of travel — in exchange for a Netflix (NFLX)-like escape.

“It will become a much more immersive entertainment experience,” Bastian said at Yahoo Finance’s 2025 Invest event. “We have 200 million customers a year on average, three hours a session. They’re all seat-belted in, all facing the same way. If you can’t figure out a way as a marketer to create value for those consumers as well as for yourself, you’re not very good.”

Delta shares are up 2% in 2025 and have gained 75% over the last five years, far outperforming rivals like American Airlines (AAL), whose shares have risen just 14% in the same period.

Investors have rewarded Delta’s steady profits and pivot toward premium offerings, even as travel demand softens and operational hiccups mount.

For the first time in its history, the airline expects sales of premium seats to overtake those of its main cabin next year, Bastian said. The milestone arrives a full year earlier than anticipated.

Premium seating now “drives the bulk of the revenue on board the plane,” a striking shift for a product once considered “a loss leader.” The segment is expected to make up about 50% of Delta’s redesigned fleet as it buys international planes, per Bastian.

Third quarter earnings back up the pivot. Revenue reached a record $15.2 billion, up 4.1% year over year and slightly above consensus estimates of $15.1 billion, according to Bloomberg. Adjusted earnings per share came in at $1.71, topping expectations of $1.56.

Delta also raised its full-year profit guidance to the top end of its prior range, projecting free cash flow of $3.5 billion to $4 billion, up from $3 billion to $4 billion, citing strong premium and corporate demand, cost discipline, and network efficiency.

JPMorgan analyst Jamie Baker called Delta “the industry leader among full-service airlines,” rating the stock Overweight. According to Yahoo Finance data, 95% of analysts covering the airline rate it a Buy.

Still, not every traveler will enjoy the premium push.

“If all you want from your carrier is the lowest price, we are price competitive,” Bastian said. “But you may be one of the last people to board in line, [and] you may not have room for your bags.”

The company is also leaning on new tech to deepen its consumer reach. Delta has invested more than $1 billion in free global Wi-Fi, integrated streaming partnerships with YouTube, and collaborations with brands like Uber (UBER).

Behind the glossy upgrades, Delta has faced turbulence. The government shutdown — the longest in US history — forced sudden flight reductions and widespread delays. Bastian called it “incredibly disruptive for our customers.”

Moreover, many air traffic controllers and TSA agents have continued working without pay.

“The reality is that there was stress, there was strain,” he said. “It was completely unnecessary.”

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As the shutdown ends, flight cancellations are likely to continue, and airlines may find themselves scrambling to fill positions left vacant during the 43-day debacle.

Even amid the chaos, Bastian remains confident Delta’s operational edge — from rebuilt airports like New York’s LaGuardia to exclusive lounges and new wide-body jets — will set it apart.

“When you have the real estate and … the footprint and people see where you’re going, that’s when they want to join you on the party,” he said.

Francisco Velasquez is a Reporter at Yahoo Finance. Follow him on LinkedIn, X, and Instagram. Story tips? Email him at francisco.velasquez@yahooinc.com.

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