Delta Air Lines announces September quarter 2026 financial results
Delta Air Lines reported its September quarter 2026 financial results, cutting its 2026 forecast due to a fuel cost surge. Despite this, CEO Ed Bastian says demand remains strong. The company now expects a full-year EPS of $5.10 to $5.60 and free cash flow of approximately $2.5 billion. Delta's fuel bill is expected to rise $6 billion this year.
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- ✓ Delta Air Lines expects fuel bill to rise $6 billion this year
- ✓ Delta Air Lines cuts 2026 forecast on fuel surge
- ✓ Demand remains strong, supported by consumers' growing preference for experiences and travel
- ✓ Delta expects full-year EPS of $5.10 to $5.60 and free cash flow of approximately $2.5 billion
What changed
Delta Air Lines revised its 2026 profit forecast downward due to a surge in fuel costs.
Live updates
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Delta Air Lines cuts 2026 forecast on fuel surge
Delta Air Lines reported its September quarter 2026 financial results, cutting its 2026 forecast due to a fuel cost surge. Despite this, CEO Ed Bastian says demand remains strong. The company now expects a full-year EPS of $5.10 to $5.60 and free cash flow of approximately $2.5 billion. Delta's fuel bill is expected to rise $6 billion this year.
Why it matters
The airline industry is facing a significant challenge with rising fuel costs. Delta's results and outlook demonstrate its structural durability in this high fuel cost environment. The company's performance is closely watched as it is a major player in the US airline industry.
What is confirmed
- Delta Air Lines expects fuel bill to rise $6 billion this year
- Delta Air Lines cuts 2026 forecast on fuel surge
- Demand remains strong, supported by consumers' growing preference for experiences and travel
- Delta expects full-year EPS of $5.10 to $5.60 and free cash flow of approximately $2.5 billion
What to watch next
- Delta's December quarter financial results
- Fuel cost developments
- Airline industry trends
confidence 85%Sources used for this update (13)
- CNBC — Delta Air Lines cuts 2026 forecast on fuel surge, but CEO says demand is still strong
- Delta — Delta Air Lines announces September quarter 2026 financial results
- Yahoo Finance — Delta reports Q3 earnings miss, cuts guidance as fuel costs surge 62% from year ago
- Reuters — Delta Air cuts profit forecast as $6 billion fuel-cost surge outweighs fare gains
- WSJ — Delta’s CEO on Skipping Starlink, Premium-Travel Rush and High Fuel Prices
- CNN — Delta expects higher fares and strong demand through the holiday season | CNN Business
- Axios — Delta expects fuel bill to rise $6 billion this year
- CNBC — Cramer says Delta Air Lines' earnings miss doesn't tell the whole story
- Yahoo — Delta CEO says demand is still strong despite company slashing 2026 profit forecast
- news.delta.com — Delta Air Lines announces September quarter 2026 financial results | Delta News Hub
- www.prnewswire.com — After a Record-Setting Week, Wall Street Turns to Inflation Data and the First Big Earnings Reports
- aerocrewnews.com — Delta Air Lines Announces September Quarter 2026 Financial Results - Aero Crew News
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