As much as we might rag on Delta for its SkyMiles program and largely outdated fleet, you’ve gotta give the airline credit for how much it rewards employees for their shared success. With the airline having just announced its full year 2025 financial results, we’ve also learned the details of the annual profit sharing for employees.
In this post:
Delta employees get 8.9% profit sharing for 2025
Since 2007, Delta has had the most consistently generous profit sharing program in the airline industry. On Valentine’s Day (which Delta calls Profit Sharing Day) every year, employees get their profit sharing check, reflecting the carrier’s results for the year.
For 2025, Delta employees have been rewarded with 8.9% of their eligible earnings, representing roughly four weeks worth of pay. For some frontline employees, this might amount to a few thousand dollars, while for some pilots, it might amount to tens of thousands of dollars.
With this latest profit sharing payment, Delta’s profit sharing scheme since 2007 has paid out over $13 billion. In most years, Delta’s profit sharing is greater than the pool of all other US airlines combined. Over the past 11 years, the airline has shared over $1 billion in profits annually eight times.
This is no small chunk of change — Delta’s total profits for 2025 were around $5 billion, so this year’s payment is equal to roughly 30% of the profits. For what it’s worth, 2025’s profit sharing is a bit lower than in the previous year.
In 2024, employees received profit sharing equal to roughly 10% of their pay, or around five weeks worth of pay. This reflects that Delta didn’t quite have a record year in terms of profitability, due to all the uncertainty.
As you’d expect, this profit sharing has some significant implications for the economies with the most Delta employees, as hundreds of millions of dollars will be distributed in Georgia, and significant amounts will also be distributed in New York, Michigan, California, Washington, Utah, and beyond.
While this profit sharing is better than you’ll find at other US airlines, it’s worth noting some pretty incredible profit sharing we’ve seen at foreign carriers in recent times. Based on 2024 profits, we saw Singapore Airlines reward employees with a 32-week salary bonus, and we saw Emirates reward employees with a 22-week salary bonus.
This profit sharing is part of Delta’s recipe for success
Delta has long had a superior corporate culture to American and United, and the profit sharing scheme has been a large part of that success. Employees are a lot more invested in the success of the airline than at other carriers.
Now, I do think Delta has lost some of its edge when it comes to service since the start of the pandemic, given the percent of Delta’s workforce that’s new. But still, the airline is a cut above the rest when it comes to taking care of and showing appreciation for customers.
Delta’s generous profit sharing scheme tends to ruffle some feathers among employees at other airlines. For example, in 2024, American employees received just 1-1.5% profit sharing, which left many people frustrated. Then again, American doesn’t have many profits to share, so… 😉
Delta’s motives for its profit sharing arrangement also go beyond just having a good corporate culture. The airline has the highest percentage of non-unionized employees of any major airline in the US, with flight attendants not being unionized.
So the airline not only proactively gives flight attendants raises, but also has generous profit sharing to create an overall rewarding compensation structure for employees. While unions can also try to negotiate profit sharing, it’s hard to imagine employees will come out ahead at other carriers compared to Delta.
Bottom line
Delta employees will be receiving $1.3 billion in profit sharing for 2025, equal to roughly 8.9% of their eligible annual pay, or around five weeks of pay. Delta is in a league of its own on that front, as the airline pays more in profit sharing than all other US airlines. While I have many criticisms of Delta, the carrier’s relationship with its employees isn’t among them, and it’s something the company deserves credit for.
What do you make of Delta’s profit sharing scheme?
Delta pays the profit sharing because the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) negotiated for it and Delta matches that same formula for other employees.
none of which changes that DL actually pays it and exceeds every other airline in the world.
Unionized airlines including the AFA at UA can't even agree on a new contract for all employees after five years.
and DL employees turn their higher pay into better revenue generation and operational performance for the company.
advantage Delta.
Again.
IT IA AMAZING THAT AN AIRLINE WITHOUT A RECOGNIZED UNION FOR THE EMPLOYEES ARE SHOWING SO MUCH PROFITS AND THE MANAGEMENT IS MAKING PAYMENT OF PROFIT SHARING AMOUNTS
TO EMPLOYEES EVERY YEAR. THE MANAGEMENT IS REWARDINTHE
EMPLOYEES FOR NOT STAGING ANY INDUSTRIAL ACTION LIKE
GO SLOW, SIT IN STRIKE AND TOTAL STRIKE WHICH OTHERWISE
CAUSE DISRUPTION OF SERVICE TO TRAVELLING PUBLIC
IN AN AIRLINE INDUSTRY THERE IS MULTIPLICITY OF UNIONS
IT IA AMAZING THAT AN AIRLINE WITHOUT A RECOGNIZED UNION FOR THE EMPLOYEES ARE SHOWING SO MUCH PROFITS AND THE MANAGEMENT IS MAKING PAYMENT OF PROFIT SHARING AMOUNTS
TO EMPLOYEES EVERY YEAR. THE MANAGEMENT IS REWARDINTHE
EMPLOYEES FOR NOT STAGING ANY INDUSTRIAL ACTION LIKE
GO SLOW, SIT IN STRIKE AND TOTAL STRIKE WHICH OTHERWISE
CAUSE DISRUPTION OF SERVICE TO TRAVELLING PUBLIC
IN AN AIRLINE INDUSTRY THERE IS MULTIPLICITY OF UNIONS
PILOTS, FLIGHT ENGINEERS, FLIGHT DISPATCH OFFICER/MANAGER
BAGGAGE HANDLERS, GROUND SERVICE GROUND HANDLING
FRONT LINE CHECK IN STAFF EMGINEERS A/C TECHNICIANS ETC
H R DEPT WILL HAVE HARD TIME TO FINALISE AGREEMENT WITH
SO MANY UNIONS. ALL THESE THINGS ARE ELIMINATED
no need to shout. We can all read just fine.
You do realize that DL's pilots are unionized as are some support groups?
DL doesn't pay profit sharing to placate its employees. It pays profit sharing because DL runs a top tier business and airline and the employees deliver for the company.
it is actually unions at other airlines that incessantly try to get for their employees what DL delivers for its employees but fall...
no need to shout. We can all read just fine.
You do realize that DL's pilots are unionized as are some support groups?
DL doesn't pay profit sharing to placate its employees. It pays profit sharing because DL runs a top tier business and airline and the employees deliver for the company.
it is actually unions at other airlines that incessantly try to get for their employees what DL delivers for its employees but fall short because their company can't deliver the revenue for the company or the compensation for their employees.
Let's not forget that UA's FAs are five years into an amendable contract. Its mechanics also don't have a current industry comparable contract.
AA's employees esp. FAs had a royal fit until they got a contract comparable to DL but AA's profits are a tiny fraction of DL's - and thus profit sharing is practically worthless.
Delta’s CEO claimed on its results call today that it is the most profitable airline in the world. I assume by ’world’ he means North America. In the 12 months to September 2025, several other airlines were more profitable in terms of operating margin and return on invested capital, including Emirates, IAG and Ryanair. Delta had a relatively poor fourth quarter due to the US government shutdown and 2025 results were worse than 2024 due...
Delta’s CEO claimed on its results call today that it is the most profitable airline in the world. I assume by ’world’ he means North America. In the 12 months to September 2025, several other airlines were more profitable in terms of operating margin and return on invested capital, including Emirates, IAG and Ryanair. Delta had a relatively poor fourth quarter due to the US government shutdown and 2025 results were worse than 2024 due to economic uncertainty in the US. Emirates, IAG and Ryanair, even though they have not yet reported, are likely to have had a much better fourth quarter and full year than Delta.
no other airline that supposedly does better than DL pays its employees anywhere near as much as DL pays its employees.
every airline pays about the same for airplanes and fuel.
what you pay for employees speaks volumes about what you believe determines profitability.
no other airline will come close to DL's level of profits adjusted for constant employee costs.
DL would be posting $15 billion profits if they paid Ryanair or Emirates labor costs.
Like DL employees, Profit sharing at my airline is going to be lower this year. Last years profits equaled 10-weeks of pay and boy that was a good check! Pretty sure its down for all airlines in 2025 thanks to you know who. But...I Can't wait for the announcement.
Not all is rosy at Delta, despite what Tim would tell us. First, the financial industry's reaction (From Investopedia / Barrons / etc):
"Delta Air Lines (DAL) isn't living up to its 'Keep Climbing' motto—in the eyes of investors, at least. The company's profit forecasts came in below expectations, sending shares down 2.39% for the day.
[for comparison, Delta’s stock loss of 2.39% was in 3rd place of the four dominant US airlines on Tuesday....
Not all is rosy at Delta, despite what Tim would tell us. First, the financial industry's reaction (From Investopedia / Barrons / etc):
"Delta Air Lines (DAL) isn't living up to its 'Keep Climbing' motto—in the eyes of investors, at least. The company's profit forecasts came in below expectations, sending shares down 2.39% for the day.
[for comparison, Delta’s stock loss of 2.39% was in 3rd place of the four dominant US airlines on Tuesday. United Airlines was down 0.76%, Southwest Airlines, slipped by 1.48%, and American Airlines fell by 4.06%.]
Why this matters? Delta is the largest U.S. airline by revenue, but its results show how hard it is to make money flying passengers. Rising operating costs have outpaced passenger revenue, forcing airlines to lean on more lucrative businesses such as co-branded credit cards...For its fiscal 2025 year, Delta made $5 billion in profit on more than $63 billion in operating revenue—strongly aided by remuneration growth of 11% to $8.2 billion from credit card partner American Express (AXP). It once again lost money flying passengers, though: It registered a lower passenger revenue per available seat mile (PRASM), 17.37 cents, than cost per available seat mile (CASM), 19.31 cents, a slightly worse ratio than in 2024."
Second, the employee reaction (PYOK):
"Delta Air Lines Announces Lowest Profit Sharing Bonus Since 2022 And Employees Are Irked"
Delta Air Lines has just announced its lowest profit-sharing bonus for tens of thousands of employees worldwide since 2022, when the Atlanta-based carrier announced a surprise bonus despite the uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic.
On February 13, Delta will pay out $1.3 billion of its 2025 profit to employees, resulting in an estimated 8.9% payout per eligible worker. Delta claims that employees will receive, on average, the equivalent of four weeks of extra pay...Delta claims that this year’s bonus is a top 5 payout in the airline’s history, although employees have still taken to social media to share their frustrations because it is lower than in other recent years.
Last year, Delta employees each received a share of $1.4 billion in profit-sharing bonuses, equating to 10.40% of annual wages. And in 2020, just a month or so before the pandemic decimated the aviation industry, Delta paid out a record $1.6 billion in profit sharing."
Tim will still spin this, though, as to why Delta is perfect and every other airline is awful.
no spin. just facts.
DL still is generating the highest profits and distributing the highest profit sharing among US airlines.
and, in case you haven't figured it out, DL came out of covid intending to use its industry-leading revenue generation to force up costs.
They clearly realize that they could goose their earnings even higher if they didn't keep handing out pay increases.
But DL mgmt realizes that they are squeezing low fare carriers who...
no spin. just facts.
DL still is generating the highest profits and distributing the highest profit sharing among US airlines.
and, in case you haven't figured it out, DL came out of covid intending to use its industry-leading revenue generation to force up costs.
They clearly realize that they could goose their earnings even higher if they didn't keep handing out pay increases.
But DL mgmt realizes that they are squeezing low fare carriers who can't pay these kinds of salaries w/ the level of fares they get.
and even among legacies, UA has yet to settle with its FAs and mechanics which will force up UA's labor costs.
DL plays the long game.
and let us know what other airline DL employees are going to go to in order to get higher profit sharing.
Congrats to DL's employees. Their work pays off for them.
@Aero
Such a weird take. Do you as a customer of SQ become highly disappointed with the exorbitant profit margin that it charges you?
My take on this will be about as popular with some readers, as a pork sausage would be at a Jewish or Muslim wedding.
One cannot take away from Delta, that they certainly know how to treat their employees well, by rewarding them generously for their service. One cannot take anything away from the employees, who obviously offer their customers and employers a reward worthy service.
Were I a Delta customer, then I would be...
My take on this will be about as popular with some readers, as a pork sausage would be at a Jewish or Muslim wedding.
One cannot take away from Delta, that they certainly know how to treat their employees well, by rewarding them generously for their service. One cannot take anything away from the employees, who obviously offer their customers and employers a reward worthy service.
Were I a Delta customer, then I would be highly disappointed with the exorbitant profit margin that Delta are charging me. Yes me, metaphorically speaking, the customer! I understand that the airframes are at best, donkeys years old. The food is nothing to write home about, the cabins are decades behind real World Class airlines, etc, etc.
All in all, surely regular customers are being taken (literally) for a ride by Delta, yes?
do you scrutinize the salaries and compensation of all of the companies with which you do business?
The vast majority of customers make more than DL employees; all they care about is if they get decent service.
DL's addition of bullet points about its calendar year reliability statistics show that DL didn't fall from its leadership position for the year despite a couple of above average cancellation days in December.
and DL does get...
do you scrutinize the salaries and compensation of all of the companies with which you do business?
The vast majority of customers make more than DL employees; all they care about is if they get decent service.
DL's addition of bullet points about its calendar year reliability statistics show that DL didn't fall from its leadership position for the year despite a couple of above average cancellation days in December.
and DL does get higher average fares - they say they get a 115% premium to the industry.
DL carries the 2nd most domestic passengers - where they have had a revenue premium for years - so there are clearly enough people that will pay more for a better level of service.
All the Big 3 airlines lose money flying passengers. The two that make any money do it with other stuff. Airlines have historically low to negative profit margins. It is laughable ranting about airline profits especially when fares have fallen in real terms since deregulation in 1978.
and yet DL has figured out BEST how to generate the most profits by blending all of its revenue generation and cost reduction strategies into one package.
DL gets a passenger revenue premium to the industry
DL saves 11 cents/gal (in the last quarter) for jet fuel because of the refinery.
DL gets the most revenue from its credit card/loyalty program
and DL is the largest airiline maintenance provider in the western...
and yet DL has figured out BEST how to generate the most profits by blending all of its revenue generation and cost reduction strategies into one package.
DL gets a passenger revenue premium to the industry
DL saves 11 cents/gal (in the last quarter) for jet fuel because of the refinery.
DL gets the most revenue from its credit card/loyalty program
and DL is the largest airiline maintenance provider in the western hemisphere.
DL will be breaking out loyalty and MRO revenues and those two will continue to grow, including now that DL has MRO rights for every western built new generation engine that is in service.
So chaps, you concede that Delta Airlines make huge profits, you also concede that ‘customers’ are generating those profits. As Delta Airlines are making such exorbitant profits then it stands to reason that they are talking their customers for a ride, yes?
"...that they are talking their customers for a ride, yes?"
No! If delta is forcing people to fly on their planes, then I might agree, but since I believe those passengers are making voluntary decisions to fly the airline, at the agreed-upon price, where's the problem?
"To bemoan a capitalist earning high profits is like complaining about a surgeon saving too many lives." Bob Murphy
Darlink Mike,
In a capitalist society companies aim to make a profit, yes?
In a capitalist society profit making incentives encourages innovation, efficiency, better products, lower prices and investment, yes?
Mike, in Delta one sees little innovation, efficiency, better products or realtime investment, yes?
Delta slipped a place in the World Rankings in 2025, hardly impressive even for what is in effect (all be it large) regional, low cost, high volume...
Darlink Mike,
In a capitalist society companies aim to make a profit, yes?
In a capitalist society profit making incentives encourages innovation, efficiency, better products, lower prices and investment, yes?
Mike, in Delta one sees little innovation, efficiency, better products or realtime investment, yes?
Delta slipped a place in the World Rankings in 2025, hardly impressive even for what is in effect (all be it large) regional, low cost, high volume carrier, yes?
Nothing you wrote here addresses your original contention that Delta is taking its customers "for a ride". Again, those customers are making a voluntary decision to fly on Delta metal, and if it didn't meet their expectations, they'd look elsewhere.
Try again!
@Aero
Just like SQ is taking you for a ride. Pun intended...
@Aero
Such a weird take. Do you as a customer of SQ become highly disappointed with the exorbitant profit margin that it charges you?
Absolutely not Justin.
The likes of SQ, provide the discerning customers an opportunity to enjoy the next best thing to a PJ experience at only 25% of the cost. It is the proletariat who can least afford to suffer the “exorbitant profit margin” that the non world class carriers extract from them.
What is exorbitant? Are they charging more than UA or AA on the same routes? You think they should charge say, 5.5% less, for each ticket and drop their profits in half? Why should they? Bottom line is they, like UA and AA, don't make a profit on flying pax. Perhaps those with credit cards that can give you DL miles should be the ones complaining. If I'm eat at a restaurant that offers me...
What is exorbitant? Are they charging more than UA or AA on the same routes? You think they should charge say, 5.5% less, for each ticket and drop their profits in half? Why should they? Bottom line is they, like UA and AA, don't make a profit on flying pax. Perhaps those with credit cards that can give you DL miles should be the ones complaining. If I'm eat at a restaurant that offers me equally good food as other restaurants at the same price, I'm not siting there worrying about whether "my" restaurant is more profitable than the others.
As the American flying passengers are content to load their credit cards with more debt than they can afford, then allow the likes of DL, etc, to make obscene profits, who am I to care. It is not my credit card which is being maxed out, I’m not being stuffed into a cattle class seat. Nor, am I suffering overcrowding at airports, or, being fed over cooked, super processed junk food into the bargain.
Please do enjoy being ripped off by your low class airlines, yes?
It is almost always idiot HR types that tell you people aren't motivated or care about money. That is why people work. For money. It certainly motivates me or I wouldn't be in the technology world, which I hate, but pays well.
We know, George, you’re a Concierge Key who ‘works for a living.’ We’re all very proud of you.
super interesting. they must be terrified of a union forming if this is what they are proactively paying out. obviously companies dont just do charity out of the goodness of their hearts, so they must have calculated that a union forming would cost them more!
Ben. Overall, a very good and informative article which is why I still click on your blog unlike some others these days - did I say VFTW and PYOK? But, for God sake, would it kill you for JUST ONCE not wrag on the 767s, Skymiles and the post-pandemic newbies. Those gas guzzlers who everybody bitches about in D1 are flying full Transcon runs with its popular 7-abreast configurations in the back - vs. UAs...
Ben. Overall, a very good and informative article which is why I still click on your blog unlike some others these days - did I say VFTW and PYOK? But, for God sake, would it kill you for JUST ONCE not wrag on the 767s, Skymiles and the post-pandemic newbies. Those gas guzzlers who everybody bitches about in D1 are flying full Transcon runs with its popular 7-abreast configurations in the back - vs. UAs high density 777s and the plane du jour on AA. Skymiles is what it is ... people just need to deal with it or buy their upgrades or free tickets. And, everybody lost a lot of good, senior and experienced employees during the pandemic. AA and UA or no different ... it's all relative and not unique to Delta. So, yes, good article but for once, could you please park your biases against Delta the door.
upset much?
Yeah. Agree. "Largely outdated fleet." 359s, 339s, 221s, 223s, a ton of new 321s. Even the 739s aren't that old. We know when the 763s are going away. They're ramping down the 717s. What else needs to happen for that talking point to die?
Quick, someone tell Sara Nelson that this should make the flight attendants ripe for unionizing.
Delta’s flight attendants, maintenance technicians, and baggage handlers can still enjoy profit-sharing while also joining their pilots (since 1934!) and dispatchers in organizing. Keep in mind that competitive compensation is good, but, also job security and other protections matter, too.
Studies have shown that pay will only make most employees temporarily happy and will only play a minor part in retention. Profit share could be 16% consistently year after year and effort would still subside and employee satisfaction would still have a slow race to the bottom.
and yet DAL has consistently led the industry in not just operational and service levels but also employee satisfaction - probably because profit sharing is so consistent at DL.
If only it led the industry in its services onboard as well.
Car, boat, and remodeling sales will jump, once again, after Valentines Day wherever a bunch of DL employees live.
DL also noted it continues to have a revenue premium to the industry - 115% now - and they also, according to private data, led all US airlines in operational performance in 2025.
DL also is separating out its MRO (Delta Tech Ops) financials for 2026 and added detail for 2025 because, as I noted, DL...
Car, boat, and remodeling sales will jump, once again, after Valentines Day wherever a bunch of DL employees live.
DL also noted it continues to have a revenue premium to the industry - 115% now - and they also, according to private data, led all US airlines in operational performance in 2025.
DL also is separating out its MRO (Delta Tech Ops) financials for 2026 and added detail for 2025 because, as I noted, DL will make a growing amount of its profits from MRO activity and which will be unique among US airlines.
and the refinery still contributed a benefit to the airline of 11 cents/gallon on top of the industry-leading Amex relationship - which will also be separated out for better clarity for investors.
DL employees are delivering the best service, getting the best revenue, and the company has the best portfolio of non-transportation revenue and cost reduction strategies which is why other airlines cannot duplicate DL's profit sharing.
Congrats to Delta's employees! And to you, too, Tim, for consistently championing the airline.
However, instead of new cars and boats, if I were them, I'd pay off any debts, save the rest, and be prepare for a downturn (and increased healthcare costs, even with Delta's plans), especially the flight attendants, maintenance technicians and baggage handlers, because unlike their pilots and dispatchers, they have little-to-no job protections, if and when there is a downturn.
Congrats to Delta's employees! And to you, too, Tim, for consistently championing the airline.
However, instead of new cars and boats, if I were them, I'd pay off any debts, save the rest, and be prepare for a downturn (and increased healthcare costs, even with Delta's plans), especially the flight attendants, maintenance technicians and baggage handlers, because unlike their pilots and dispatchers, they have little-to-no job protections, if and when there is a downturn.
Why should anyone's job in any industry be protected? Taken to the end logical conclusion, that's a retarded recipe.
By the way, it's not 1907 with widespread hazardous and strenuous jobs. The West has endless state & federal regulations to protect worker's lives. You don't need a union for that.
Yes, unions can negotiate an inflated salary increase but unions are not agile or fast. Contract negotiations drag on for several years and...
Why should anyone's job in any industry be protected? Taken to the end logical conclusion, that's a retarded recipe.
By the way, it's not 1907 with widespread hazardous and strenuous jobs. The West has endless state & federal regulations to protect worker's lives. You don't need a union for that.
Yes, unions can negotiate an inflated salary increase but unions are not agile or fast. Contract negotiations drag on for several years and once locked in, they're done until the next session many years later. Thus, if there is an unexpected net profit increase the unions don't necessarily benefit from it because they are locked on.
Many people like that mindset. And just as many, if not more, do not.
Final thought on the psychology of unions, it's like an anxious driver... they will go only as fast as the slowest driver. Those of us with a high-speed internal motor do not wish to be held back by those who crawl.
I'd love more updated insights when it comes to this. I feel like you sort of repeat the same thing every time.
In particular, I remember reading the same line about Delta standards dropping post pandemic multiple times over the years.
Maybe just not that much has changed though I suppose.
Pay your people well and let them enjoy some of the fruits of their labor and most people will bust their ass. But instead we get DEI, corporate CEO speak, and nonsense games like virtual happy hour in which you bring your own booze. Just give me the money.
George, it's 2026, not 2024, but, okay, keep trying the old playbook, blame DEI, or whatever. Ironically, you promote elsewhere how you frequent American Airlines (as a Key), so where'd all this Delta-love come from. Did Tim get to you?? Keep Climbing...
Why does DEI trigger George so much?
I wonder why DEI triggers George so much.