DELTA AIR LINES INC

Previous wording

Our operating income for the March 2024 quarter improved $891 million compared to the March 2023 quarter to $614 million for the reasons discussed below.

Current wording

Our operating income for the June 2024 quarter was $2.3 billion, a decrease of $224 million compared to the June 2023 quarter.

Previous wording

Revenue. Compared to the March 2023 quarter, our total revenue increased $989 million, or 8%, due primarily to a 7% increase in capacity and continued strength in travel demand across all geographic regions, particularly for our premium products. Total revenue, adjusted (a non-GAAP financial measure, which excludes revenue related to refinery sales to third parties) increased in the March 2024 quarter by $721 million, or 6%, compared to the March 2023 quarter.

Current wording

Revenue. Compared to the June 2023 quarter, our total revenue increased $1.1 billion, or 7%, due primarily to an 8% increase in capacity on strong operational performance. Passenger revenue increased 5% resulting from strength in travel demand, particularly for our premium products, partially offset by a decrease in yield. Total revenue, adjusted (a non-GAAP financial measure, which excludes revenue related to refinery sales to third parties) increased in the June 2024 quarter by $794 million, or 5.4%, compared to the June 2023 quarter.

Previous wording

Operating Expense. Total operating expense in the March 2024 quarter increased $98 million, or 1%, compared to the March 2023 quarter, primarily due to higher employee costs from increased wages and profit sharing and increased costs associated with higher capacity, partially offset by the one time pilot agreement-related expenses in 2023. Total operating expense, adjusted (a non-GAAP financial measure) in the March 2024 quarter increased $627 million, or 6%, compared to the March 2023 quarter. Adjustments were primarily to exclude expenses related to refinery sales to third parties and the one time pilot agreement-related expenses in 2023.

Current wording

Operating Expense. Total operating expense in the June 2024 quarter increased $1.3 billion, or 10%, compared to the June 2023 quarter, primarily due to higher employee costs from increased wages, higher fuel expense and increased costs associated with higher capacity. Total operating expense, adjusted (a non-GAAP financial measure, which primarily excludes expenses related to refinery sales to third parties) in the June 2024 quarter increased $1.0 billion, or 8%, compared to the June 2023 quarter.

Previous wording

Our total operating cost per available seat mile ("CASM") decreased 6% compared to the March 2023 quarter, primarily due to a 7% increase in capacity, as well as the one time pilot agreement-related expenses in 2023. Non-fuel unit cost ("CASM-Ex", a non-GAAP financial measure) increased 1.5%, primarily due to higher employee costs from increased wages and profit sharing.

Current wording

Our total operating cost per available seat mile ("CASM") increased 2% compared to the June 2023 quarter. Non-fuel unit cost ("CASM-Ex", a non-GAAP financial measure) increased 0.6%, primarily due to higher employee costs from increased wages.

Previous wording

Cash Flow. Our cash, cash equivalents, short-term investments and aggregate undrawn principal amount available under our revolving credit facilities ("liquidity") as of March 31, 2024 was $7.4 billion.

Current wording

Cash Flow. Our cash, cash equivalents, short-term investments and aggregate undrawn principal amount available under our revolving credit facilities ("liquidity") as of June 30, 2024 was $7.2 billion.

Previous wording

During the March 2024 quarter, operating activities generated $2.4 billion. Cash flows from operating activities benefited from the sale of tickets to managed corporate customers, including tickets for travel during and beyond the quarter, which grew 14% during the March 2024 quarter compared to the March 2023 quarter, led by large accounts, particularly in the technology, consumer services and financial services sectors. In addition, total cash sales to American Express were $1.7 billion in the March 2024 quarter, an increase of approximately 5% compared to the March 2023 quarter.

Current wording

During the June 2024 quarter, operating activities generated $2.5 billion, primarily from ticket sales. Total cash sales to American Express were $1.9 billion in the June 2024 quarter, an increase of approximately 9% compared to the June 2023 quarter.

Previous wording

Cash flows used in investing activities during the quarter totaled $637 million as capital expenditures were partially offset by redemptions of short-term investments. These operating and investing activities yielded free cash flow (a non-GAAP financial measure) of $1.4 billion in the March 2024 quarter. Additionally, we had cash outflows of $712 million related to repayments of our debt and finance leases.

Current wording

Cash flows used in investing activities during the quarter totaled $809 million as capital expenditures were partially offset by redemptions of short-term investments. These operating and investing activities yielded free cash flow (a non-GAAP financial measure) of $1.3 billion in the June 2024 quarter. Additionally, we had cash outflows of $1.4 billion related to repayments of our debt and finance leases.

Previous wording

Domestic passenger revenue increased 5% in the March 2024 quarter compared to the March 2023 quarter on a 2% increase in capacity and two point increase in load factor. We experienced strong revenue results across the domestic network, with coastal hub markets such as New York and Boston improving significantly compared to the prior year period.

Current wording

Domestic passenger revenue increased 5% in the June 2024 quarter compared to the June 2023 quarter on an 8% increase in capacity and a stable load factor. We experienced strong revenue results across the domestic network, with coastal hub markets such as New York and Boston improving significantly compared to the prior year period.

Previous wording

Loyalty Program. This relates to revenues from brand usage by third parties and other performance obligations embedded in miles sold, as well as redemption of miles for non-air travel and other awards. These revenues are mainly driven by customer spend on American Express cards and new cardholder acquisitions. Revenues from our relationship with American Express increased compared to the March 2023 quarter due to increased co-brand card spend.

Current wording

Loyalty Program. This relates to revenues from brand usage by third parties and other performance obligations embedded in miles sold, as well as redemption of miles for non-air travel and other awards. These revenues are mainly driven by customer spend on American Express cards and new cardholder acquisitions. Revenues from our relationship with American Express increased compared to the June 2023 quarter due to increased co-brand card spend and more premium card account acquisitions.

Previous wording

Ancillary Businesses and Refinery. Ancillary businesses and refinery includes expenses associated with refinery sales to third parties, aircraft maintenance services we provide to third parties and our vacation wholesale operations. Refinery sales to third parties increased $269 million compared to the March 2023 quarter due to higher sales volume. See "Refinery Segment" below for additional details on the refinery's operations, including third party refinery sales.

Current wording

Ancillary Businesses and Refinery. Ancillary businesses and refinery includes expenses associated with refinery sales to third parties, aircraft maintenance services we provide to third parties and our vacation wholesale operations. Refinery sales to third parties increased $286 million compared to the June 2023 quarter. See "Refinery Segment" below for additional details on the refinery's operations, including third party refinery sales.

Previous wording

Aircraft Fuel and Related Taxes. Aircraft fuel and related taxes decreased $78 million compared to the March 2023 quarter primarily due to a 15% decrease in the market price of jet fuel partially offset by a 5% increase in consumption on a 7% increase in capacity. The refinery also provided a benefit of five cents per gallon compared to a benefit of 25 cents per gallon in the March 2023 quarter. We expect jet fuel prices to remain volatile.

Current wording

Aircraft Fuel and Related Taxes. Aircraft fuel and related taxes increased $218 million compared to the six months ended June 30, 2023 due to a 6% increase in consumption on an 8% increase in capacity partially offset by a 5% decrease in the market price per gallon of jet fuel. The refinery also provided a benefit of five cents per gallon compared to a benefit of 14 cents per gallon in the six months ended June 30, 2023.

Previous wording

Interest expense, net. Interest expense, net includes interest expense and interest income. This decreased compared to the prior year primarily due to reduced interest expense resulting from our debt reduction initiatives. During 2023, we made payments of approximately $4.1 billion related to our debt and finance lease obligations and we have continued to pay down our debt during the three months ended March 31, 2024 with $712 million of payments on debt and finance lease obligations. We continue to seek opportunities to pre-pay our debt, in addition to periodic amortization and scheduled maturities.

Current wording

Interest expense, net. Interest expense, net includes interest expense and interest income. This decreased compared to the prior year primarily due to reduced interest expense resulting from our debt reduction initiatives. During 2023, we made payments of approximately $4.1 billion related to our debt and finance lease obligations. We have continued to pay down our debt during the six months ended June 30, 2024 with $2.1 billion of payments on debt and finance lease obligations, including approximately $900 million of early repayments. This included early extinguishment of $744 million in principal related to a portion of the SkyMiles Term Loan and various secured and unsecured notes, and approximately $150 million on finance leases that were scheduled to be paid later in 2024. We continue to seek opportunities to pre-pay our debt, in addition to periodic amortization and scheduled maturities.

Previous wording

Miscellaneous, net. Miscellaneous, net primarily includes employee benefit plans net periodic cost, our share of our equity method investments' results, charitable contributions and foreign exchange gains/(losses).

Current wording

Miscellaneous, net. Miscellaneous, net primarily includes employee benefit plans net periodic cost, charitable contributions, our share of our equity method investments' results and foreign exchange gains/(losses).

Previous wording

We project our annual effective tax rate for 2024 will be between 23% and 25%. In certain periods, we may have adjustments to our net deferred tax liabilities as a result of changes in prior year estimates, mark-to-market adjustments on our equity investments and tax laws enacted during the period, which will impact the effective tax rate for that period.

Current wording

We project our annual effective tax rate for 2024 will be between 24% and 26%. In certain periods, we may have adjustments to our net deferred tax liabilities as a result of changes in prior year estimates, mark-to-market adjustments on our equity investments and tax laws enacted during the period, which will impact the effective tax rate for that period.

Previous wording

The refinery operated by Monroe primarily produces gasoline, diesel and jet fuel. Monroe exchanges non-jet fuel products the refinery produces with third parties for jet fuel consumed in our airline operations. The jet fuel produced and procured through exchanging gasoline and diesel fuel produced by the refinery typically provides approximately 200,000 barrels per day, or approximately 75% of our consumption, for use in our airline operations. The refinery generated lower operating income in the three months ended March 31, 2024 compared to the three months ended March 31, 2023, primarily as a result of lower pricing.

Current wording

The refinery operated by Monroe primarily produces gasoline, diesel and jet fuel. Monroe exchanges non-jet fuel products the refinery produces with third parties for jet fuel consumed in our airline operations. The jet fuel produced and procured through exchanging gasoline and diesel fuel produced by the refinery typically provides approximately 200,000 barrels per day, or approximately 75% of our consumption, for use in our airline operations. The refinery regularly optimizes its sales and exchange activities based on market conditions. The refinery generated lower operating income in the six months ended June 30, 2024 compared to the six months ended June 30, 2023, primarily as a result of lower pricing in the first half of 2024.

Previous wording

As of March 31, 2024, we had $7.4 billion in cash, cash equivalents, short-term investments and aggregate undrawn principal amount available under our revolving credit facilities. We expect to meet our liquidity needs for the next twelve months with cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments and cash flows from operations. We expect to meet our long-term liquidity needs with cash flows from operations and financing arrangements.

Current wording

As of June 30, 2024, we had $7.2 billion in cash, cash equivalents, short-term investments and aggregate undrawn principal amount available under our revolving credit facilities ("liquidity"). We expect to meet our liquidity needs for the next twelve months with cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments and cash flows from operations. We expect to meet our long-term liquidity needs with cash flows from operations and financing arrangements.

Previous wording

We generated cash flows from operations of $2.4 billion and $2.2 billion in the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. We expect to continue generating positive cash flows from operations during the remainder of 2024.

Current wording

We generated cash flows from operations of $4.9 billion and $4.8 billion in the six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively. We expect to continue generating positive cash flows from operations during the remainder of 2024.

Previous wording

Fuel. Fuel expense represented approximately 20% and 21% of our total operating expense for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. The market price for jet fuel is volatile, which can impact the comparability of our periodic cash flows from operations. The market price for jet fuel was lower in the March quarter 2024 compared to the March quarter 2023. Fuel consumption was higher during the three months ended March 31, 2024 compared to the prior year period due to the increase in capacity. We continue to expect that fuel consumption for the full year 2024 will increase compared to 2023 aligned with capacity, partially offset by increases in the fuel efficiency of our fleet.

Current wording

Fuel. Fuel expense represented approximately 20% of our total operating expense for the six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023. The market price for jet fuel is volatile, which can impact the comparability of our periodic cash flows from operations. For example, the market price for jet fuel was 5% higher in the June 2024 quarter compared to the June 2023 quarter after it was 15% lower in the March 2024 quarter compared to the March 2023 quarter. Fuel consumption was higher during the three and six months ended June 30, 2024 compared to the prior year period due to the increase in capacity. We continue to expect that fuel consumption throughout 2024 will increase compared to 2023 aligned with capacity, partially offset by increases in the fuel efficiency of our fleet.

Previous wording

Profit Sharing. We paid $1.4 billion in profit sharing payments in February 2024 related to our 2023 pre-tax profit in recognition of our employees' contributions toward achieving the year's financial results. This is an increase compared to our profit sharing payment made in February 2023, where we paid $563 million in profit sharing related to our 2022 pre-tax profit.

Current wording

Profit Sharing. We paid $1.4 billion in profit sharing payments in February 2024 related to our 2023 pre-tax profit in recognition of our employees' contributions toward achieving the year's financial results. This is an increase compared to our profit sharing payment made in February 2023 of $563 million related to our 2022 pre-tax profit.

Previous wording

Our broad-based employee profit sharing program provides that for each year in which we have an annual pre-tax profit, as defined by the terms of the program, we will pay a specified portion of that profit to eligible employees. In determining the amount of profit sharing, the program defines profit as pre-tax profit adjusted for profit sharing and certain other items. During the three months ended March 31, 2024, we accrued $125 million in profit sharing expense based on the year-to-date performance and current expectations for 2024 profit.

Current wording

Our broad-based employee profit sharing program provides that for each year in which we have an annual pre-tax profit, as defined by the terms of the program, we will pay a specified portion of that profit to eligible employees. In determining the amount of profit sharing, the program defines profit as pre-tax profit adjusted for profit sharing and certain other items. During the six months ended June 30, 2024, we accrued $644 million in profit sharing expense based on the year-to-date performance and current expectations for 2024 profit.

Previous wording

Sale of Miles to Participating Companies. Customers earn miles based on their spending with participating companies such as credit card, retail, ridesharing, car rental and hotel companies with which we have marketing agreements to sell miles. Payments are typically due to us monthly based on the volume of miles sold during the period. Our most significant contract to sell miles relates to our co-brand credit card relationship with American Express. Total cash sales to American Express were $1.7 billion in the three months ended March 31, 2024, an increase of 5% compared to the prior year period. See Note 2 of the Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for further information regarding the cash sales from marketing agreements.

Current wording

Sale of Miles to Participating Companies. Customers earn miles based on their spending with participating companies such as credit card, retail, ridesharing, car rental and hotel companies with which we have marketing agreements to sell miles. Payments are typically due to us monthly based on the volume of miles sold during the period. Our most significant contract to sell miles relates to our co-brand credit card relationship with American Express. Total cash sales to American Express were $3.6 billion in the six months ended June 30, 2024, an increase of 7% compared to the prior year period. See Note 2 of the Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for further information regarding the cash sales from marketing agreements.

Previous wording

Short-Term Investments. During the three months ended March 31, 2024, we redeemed a net of $546 million in short-term investments. See Note 3 of the Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for further information on these investments.

Current wording

Short-Term Investments. During the six months ended June 30, 2024, we redeemed a net of $1.0 billion in short-term investments. See Note 3 of the Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for further information on these investments.

Previous wording

Capital Expenditures. Our capital expenditures were $1.2 billion and $1.0 billion for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. We have committed to future aircraft purchases and have obtained, but are under no obligation to use, long-term financing commitments for a substantial portion of the purchase price of the aircraft. Our expected 2024 capital spend of approximately $5.0 billion, excluding the New York-LaGuardia airport project discussed below, will be primarily for aircraft, including deliveries and advance deposit payments, as well as fleet modifications and technology enhancements and may vary depending on financing decisions.

Current wording

Capital Expenditures. Our capital expenditures were $2.5 billion for each of the six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023. We have committed to future aircraft purchases and have obtained, but are under no obligation to use, long-term financing commitments for a substantial portion of the purchase price of the aircraft. Our expected 2024 capital spend of approximately $5.0 billion, excluding the New York-LaGuardia airport project discussed below, will be primarily for aircraft, including deliveries and advance deposit payments, as well as fleet modifications and technology enhancements and may vary depending on financing decisions.

Previous wording

Using funding primarily provided by existing financing arrangements and other sources of funding, we expect to spend approximately $400 million on this project during 2024, of which $93 million was incurred in the three months ended March 31, 2024.

Current wording

Using funding primarily provided by existing financing arrangements and other sources of funding, we expect to spend approximately $400 million on this project during 2024, of which $163 million was incurred in the six months ended June 30, 2024.

Previous wording

Debt and Finance Leases. In the three months ended March 31, 2024, we had cash outflows of $712 million related to repayments of our debt and finance lease obligations. We continue to seek opportunities to pre-pay our debt, in addition to periodic amortization and scheduled maturities.

Current wording

Debt and Finance Leases. In the six months ended June 30, 2024, we had cash outflows of $2.1 billion related to repayments of our debt and finance lease obligations, including approximately $900 million of early repayments. This included early extinguishment of $744 million in principal related to a portion of the SkyMiles Term Loan and various secured and unsecured notes, and approximately $150 million on finance leases that were scheduled to be paid later in 2024. We continue to seek opportunities to pre-pay our debt, in addition to periodic amortization and scheduled maturities.

Previous wording

Capital Return to Shareholders. In the March 2024 quarter, the Board of Directors approved a quarterly dividend of $0.10 per share, which we paid on March 18, 2024 for total cash dividends of $64 million.

Current wording

Capital Return to Shareholders. In the June 2024 quarter, the Board of Directors approved a quarterly dividend of $0.10 per share, which we paid on June 4, 2024 for total cash dividends of $64 million. Total cash dividends for the six months ended June 30, 2024 were $128 million.

Previous wording

•One-time pilot agreement expenses. In the March 2023 quarter, Delta pilots ratified a new four-year Pilot Working Agreement effective January 1, 2023. The agreement includes numerous work rule changes and pay rate increases during the four-year term, including an initial pay rate increase of 18%. The agreement also includes a provision for a one-time payment made upon ratification in the March 2023 quarter of $735 million. Additionally, we recorded adjustments to other benefit-related items of approximately $130 million. Adjusting for these expenses allows investors to better understand and analyze our core cost performance.

Current wording

•One-time pilot agreement expenses. In the March 2023 quarter, Delta pilots ratified a new four-year Pilot Working Agreement effective January 1, 2023. The agreement included a provision for a one-time payment made upon ratification in the March 2023 quarter of $735 million. Additionally, we recorded adjustments to other benefit-related items of approximately $130 million. Adjusting for these expenses allows investors to better understand and analyze our core cost performance.