Delta Air Lines Reports Strong Q3 2025 Earnings, Signaling Improved Travel Demand
ATLANTA, october 10, 2025 – Delta Air lines (DAL) today announced better-than-expected financial results for teh third quarter of 2025, driven by rising cash sales and robust demand for premium travel. The airline reported adjusted earnings per share of $1.71, exceeding analyst estimates of $1.53, according to data from LSEG. Revenue also surpassed expectations, reaching $15.2 billion adjusted versus the anticipated $15.06 billion.
Delta’s third-quarter profit increased 11% year-over-year to $1.42 billion, or $2.17 a share, compared to $1.27 billion, or $1.97 a share, in the same period last year. Adjusted profit rose 15% to $1.12 billion, or $1.71 a share. Adjusted revenue climbed 4% year over year.
“Starting in July,cash sales picked up,” Delta CEO Ed Bastian said in an interview.
Demand for premium travel continued to outperform coach, with revenue from first class and roomier economy seats increasing 9% to nearly $5.8 billion, while main cabin revenue decreased 4% to approximately $6 billion. Bastian noted there were “no signs of a consumer pullback for premium products.”
The airline has been strategically reducing unprofitable flights to address an oversupply of seats in the market,a factor that has impacted summer profits for some U.S. carriers.Domestic unit revenue rose 2% in Q3 on a 4% increase in capacity, and Delta forecasts it will remain positive year-over-year in the current quarter. Overall domestic passenger revenue increased 5% in the third quarter, fueled by stronger corporate travel demand.
delta reaffirmed its full-year adjusted earnings per share guidance, expecting $6, at the high end of its previously forecast range of $5.25 to $6.25.
Regarding the ongoing federal government shutdown, Bastian stated the airline “hasn’t seen ‘any impacts at all'” to its operation in recent days.
Delta is the first of the major airlines to report results for the current earnings season.
