I always find it sort of cute, smart, and hilarious, how airline CEOs like to flex about how they fly economy any chance they get, even if they’re not asked about it. Here’s the latest example of that — this showed up in my algorithm, and it gets at a bigger point that I think…
Continue reading: Why Delta’s CEO Often Flies Economy, Despite Earning $27 Million Per Year
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He flies economy so Delta can cheat a diamond million miler out of an upgrade by selling an upgrade for $26.
This is just virtue signaling. Does anyone actually believe the majority of his domestic flights are in economy? If that's indeed true then there is almost certainly no chance he's in the middle seat. They are probably giving him a whole row at the back. Delta has a habit of blocking the last row on many aircraft for crew use. I think I'd rather have a whole row to myself than a middle extra-legroom seat at the bulkhead.
He flies economy so DL can continue to afford paying terminated former employee Tiny Timmy D $.00002/word to defend them slavishly
Better question: why do you omit so much actual aviation news from your blog? Trump administration blocking Mexican carriers, new AA planes and route announcements, Alaska dropping 25% of flights from SFO, etc. https://www.sfgate.com/travel/article/dot-cancels-13-transborder-routes-mexico-21129241.php
I thought Bastian flew DL economy because it was so premium and it is as good as other airline’s first class 😉
A $27 million dollar salary is a great example of everything that is wrong with America.
Delta CEO earns $27 million/year …. bonkers earnings for abject failure!
Delta Airlines is only just inside the top 50 World Airlines, it lost a place from last year’s ranking …. to the thinking person that is a marked management failure indicator …. either bin him or trim his obscene salary.
Did Ed talk about that time that he flew on DeltaOne to see the Paris Oympics.
That time when his airline meltdown and his customers got stranded for weeks while he was enjoying the opening ceremony for several days.
Would he really be catching up on emails when in economy given how easily his seat mate (or anyone behind him) could peek at his screen?
Typical CEO virtue signaling. Dude, you're a CEO of a major multinational corporation. Save the "do gooder" total fake image and just fly private. I certainly would.
First: the airline's name is Delta Air Lines...three words
Second: Delta is the official airline of the United States Olympic team. Ed flew over for the opening ceremony and then returned. The "meltdown" occurred as he was in the air. The fact that he flew DeltaOne has no bearing on his effectiveness as a CEO.
Customers were not "stranded for weeks". One forgets that multiple airlines, healthcare companies and others were affected by the Crowdstrike debacle. That doesn't excuse Delta's failure to rebound promptly. Delta happened to be the biggest screwup.
I’m always puzzled by airline CEOs’ mistaken impression anyone gives a damn about them. Why is their face on the safety video? All of these interviews are for whom? Maybe if I had $ invested in their airline, I’d care what they say. Otherwise, who cares about how he flies or what he says?
I’d be more concerned if a multibillion-dollar company I invest in had its senior executives flying in coach. Every minute of their time is valuable to the core duties the board hired them for—whether that time is spent resting or working. It’s similar to having a private driver: not because the person isn’t capable of driving, but because it ensures they can stay rested and focused on what truly matters—their primary responsibility to the company and its shareholders.
I am surprised that ceo's do not fly eco on a competitor. That way they can compare that product against tje eco of the airline they work for. And see how they are doing compared to the competition.
Former DL employee here. Used to be a big fan of his but he's really become so enamored with his own public image that it feels disingenous (in some ways, a parallel to what's happened to Delta as a whole). Two reflections:
1) Don't make a big deal about slumming it in coach just for the wow factor. I'd rather you just fly upfront and own it. Most senior folks in Corporate America (MD, VP, SVP, C-Suite) fly confirmed first/business because that's what their company allows. It makes sense when you spend a lot of time on the road and need space to work / rest / arrive refreshed. Flying economy doesn't make you a good guy, just like flying first/business doesn't make you a bad guy.
2) I vividly remember him sitting in Delta One on ATL-SEA back when they used to run 763s on the route. All of the flight crew was so excited. To his credit, he made the rounds across forward/mid/back galleys to chat with crew. Ed, just remember: all it takes is being a decent human, regardless where you're seated!
They do. There have been reports of airline execs flying other airlines. Just like crew regularly fly other airlines.
For anything other than an airline ceo: sure. But for an airline ceo, it's useful information for their job, plus PR as Ben notes.
Airline CEOs and their families should be required to fly coach (or whatever the class most people are flying) at all times. That’s just eating their own cooking.
@JdV - its actually not easy for airline executives to fly Economy Class on another airline. There is invariably someone who flags the PNR and gets a VIP flag added with upgrade, etc.. It can get quite embarassing.
Senior airline executives, board members and their families' positive space 1st Class travel privileges often allow them to bump customers, but it has led to some horrendous PR and employee relations incidents.
As you pointed out, the reason for passengers thinking boarding early is a privilege is having enough space to stow their bags. Bring on the larger overhead bins. Interestingly, the military and specifically the Navy customs of hundreds of years prescribes that senior officers are the last to board a vessel and first to disembark. I have heard stories that Pan Am Captains back in the day deplaned prior to anyone else probably due to maritime custom and their boat plane history. There is a great bit by a comedian about how absurd it is that passengers can't wait to rush onto this claustrophobic metal tube one second earlier than necessary. Now deplaning ASAP makes more sense.
As for senior execs flying in coach it is obviously contrived with this generation of airline leaders. They have all heard the stories of real leaders like Herb and Neeleman who would actually help the flight attendants. Authentic servant leadership is hard to find these days, but at least they know they need to pretend.
Branson would always stay back in Economy. Virgin would hold a business class seat for him, which he would refuse. The only time he would use Upper Class would be for work/meetings or if he was feeling a bit unwell.
Crandall and all the other grey old CEO's of the "ancient past" would ALWAYS be in First.
We live in a different world today. If the Economy class of your own airline is too crap for the CEO, then it should not be in the air.
In difficult times like this I often ask myself: what would Tim Dunn do here? He would of course have offered his premium seat to the DL CEO so that the CEO does not need to slum it in coach. I think there is something in that for all of us, don’t you?
Ryan Air CEO (Michael OLeary) says he flies EI in J for transatlantic because he can sleep on the plane and be productive the next day for meetings. Every product an airline offers has a purpose and a market. There are a lot of individuals who will only select a seat based on cost. Others in J or PE have different wants and will pay a different amount.
They shouldn't. J and PE are the most profitable parts of the airline business. They should be familiar and experience all parts of their business and competitors. Airlines react to what people are willing to pay for. If people only shop based on price, you get the current Y cabin.
When you lead a global mass transit brand, you should experience all components of its business and product. Engaging with some of your customers randomly is helpful too.
"Typical CEO virtue signaling."
Wouldn't you rather have a leader signaling "virtue" than modelling corruption?
Most people would.
Lol. Delta is the world's most profitable airline with ownership stakes in many of its alliance partners. His target audience is more than just the flying public, but the employees and shareholders. For a failure, Delta has a market cap of $37B, revenue of $61B and turned a profit of $3.5B.
If you want the upgrade for $26, nothing is stopping you from paying for it too. Entitlement from pax who only pay for a Y seat and expect PE F or J for free is tiring. Airlines are in the business of making money, not giving seats that can be monetized away for free.
…. again Brian, if a CEO samples the product and fails to improve upon it, then he has failed, yes?
Delta, United and especially American must have some extremely gullible customers who know no better than the ‘points and propaganda’ game, yes?
…. Seriously Brian, are you posting on behalf of the Delta propaganda machine? It certainly sounds like it to me old bean.
…. on the contrary Steve, he should already know that Delta is higher in the world rankings than United, yes?
He can only improve the product to the extent Y customers are willing to pay. AA years ago did extra leg room in coach, they removed it whem customers wouldn't pay the cost of the betrayal space. DL runs a punctual airline with polite staff and decent tech.
Brian, are you posting on behalf of the Delta propaganda machine? It certainly sounds like it to me old bean.
If he is usually one of the last to board, does he also set positive example by being the first to volunteer when gate agent says "federal regulations require that we gate check 27 bags for this flight"? 🙂
the "Brit" that is fascinated by Delta and spends his day trolling US airline sites...
what a joke.
Hi Brian,
that is incorrect. (And doesn’t make sense because EI is a direct competitor).
Quote: „Most of my long-haul travel is transatlantic, so I tend to fly United from Dublin to Newark, which is the best of the New York airports for connections. Schipol is Europe’s best airport for connections, so I generally fly KLM via Amsterdam. My least favourite airport? I avoid Heathrow like the plague, due to the complexity of getting through it.“
Carsten Spohr should be ordered by the court to take 30 flights per year in different booking classes with other airlines.
Then he would realize what a poor in-flight product his Lufthansa offers.
@jordan
it's an interesting PR soundbite but i assume Branson just used a private Jet unless it was a purposeful staged flight?
Perhaps I'm wrong though. it's not like Branson was taking VS to his private island in the Caribbean...
God, this site's Delta obsession has become unbearable. We're now dedicating whole articles to analyze and dissect 40 second clips of relatively innocuous statements.
Doubt he enjoys it. Quite often fat cats do this so the surfs don't come at you with pitchforks and torches.
It is such a peacefully quiet existence living in the brain cell of a plain OMAAT tr’l. The skull is completely devoid of anything but the single cell life form, hardly a single brain wave to rock the boat, bliss, pure unadulterated bliss, isn’t that right plain j?
Actually its not true! A mjority of his flight he flies PS upfron in first class/Delta one dpedning on the route. Many FAs have even reported saying they only see him in first class on flights they work. Curious why this video was presented how it was
It also makes sense for a CEO to truly understand what the experience for the majority of their customers is like.
Don’t forget Day 34 of the govt shutdown and no paycheck for ATCs. Except for Mr. Eskimo, anyone else think that’s ridiculous?
It’s a great idea. Builds empathy. See things your least fortunate customers see.
But, I don’t buy it. This ‘man of the people’ farce seems like a PR stunt, any time any airline CEO suggests they fly their own airline’s worst seats.
Naw, believe it or not, Tim does it for free, dawg. Love of the game. Mah man can’t stop Keep Climbing!
Totally agree with you. Of all those airline CEOs, I find Ed Bastian the least genuine, it's such a PR stunt.
And when Ed went to Paris Olympics, I suspect he flew AF La Premiere because, eeeww, Delta One?!
One does not preclude the other, you don't have to model corrupt to not virtue signal. You can just be a genuinely good person.
oh surprise, he doesnt like the airport that wouldnt taint its image by having ryanair planes there!
Matthew on one of the other sites had an article about Scott Kirby of UA doing the same thing
It is part of the image of being willing to accept economy class and Ben's reasons also are valid.
and, yes, he travels other cabins at times and most airline CEOs at times also fly on other airlines.
If one is a CEO or high level officer, they should be using their products, to see it first hand.
For airlines, they should fly every class, maybe even if check the baggage handling.
Thats usually what Owners of companies do.
I don't know if it's still the case but my father was a pilot for General Motors corporate fleet in the 1960s and 1970s. They had a whole fleet. They never allowed more than two board members or two senior executives to fly on the same plane. They also never allowed them to fly commercial.
He flies NON-REV and usually they get upgraded to FC,,, but if he wants to forego his Upgrade s someone on the 50 + upgrade list gets it that is gret.. I am sure he flies to Paris in Biz class...
Not impressed CEO flies economy 1-5 times a year (2 hour flight max) for the press.
Depends on how you characterize compensation. That is probably the annual 'realized' compensation (cash comp plus equity that was actually conferred to him and can be sold / he has control over), which is different from executive comp packages which typically have higher dollar values attached but cover a multi-year period with annual vesting based on stock performance.
It makes sense to fly economy also to experience your product firsthand, especially as the majority of customers each year are in that cabin (even if they don't constitute a majority of profits).
CEO's and executives love to come back to their teams with anecdotal feedback that needs to be addressed based on their personal experience 😉
That was a bit cynical. I was referring to everything gate agents / FAs say seeming to be federal regulation 🙂
I don't think it is funny or cute. I think it makes good business sense. Most people fly economy. It is important for them to understand about the experience of most of their customers.
Wrong.
He flies (entitled) nonrev positive space premium cabin. Like how he went to Paris on a full flight.
Or he basically can overbook and kick revenue passengers off if needed.
Not good publicity so you're not going to see BAS/E on any standby or upgrade list.
But feel free to do anything if you see DUN/T on the list.
If I was a betting man, I’d say he flies on Delta metal for maybe 20% of his flights. And it’s purely for optics. Then the other 80% by private jet. If he could do 100% by PJ, he obviously would. But he understands how to play the optics game.