Delta has ordered its first Boeing 787 Dreamliners. Deliveries of the 787-10, the largest Dreamliner variant, are expected to begin in 2031.
The airline ordered 30 Dreamliners and secured options for 30 more, with CEO Ed Bastian saying the planes would "enhance our international network, deliver superior economics and expand our long-haul capabilities."
Delta will further diversify its widebody fleet with the 787-10. The airline currently flies Airbus A330s, Airbus A350s and Boeing 767s. Delta said it will likely put the 787-10 on transatlantic routes and on routes to South America.
The planes, Delta said, will provide a 25% improvement in per-seat fuel efficiency compared to the aircraft they'll replace -- likely the aging 767s. They'll also boost Delta's revenue because the planes will have more premium seats. Specifically, they'll have the Delta One Suite, which is the airline's most modern business-class offering, as well as a larger premium economy cabin and more extra-legroom seats.
Delta records $5 billion profit for 2025
Delta timed the aircraft-order announcement with its release of fourth-quarter and full-year 2025 earnings.
For the December quarter, the carrier reported operating revenue of $16 billion, up 3% from 2024 and $310 million above consensus analyst forecasts, according to investment website Seeking Alpha. Operating income was $1.47 billion, down $250 million from 2024, due in large part to the $200 million hit the airline took from the federal government shutdown in October and November. The $1.47 billion operating profit was still good enough for a pre-tax operating margin of 9.5%.
Delta's net income was $1.22 billion in the fourth quarter.
For full-year 2025, Delta brought in $63.36 billion in revenue, up 3% from 2024. The revenue growth was led by premium products and co-branded American Express credit card remuneration. Delta said its premium revenue grew 7% in 2025, while credit card revenue grew 11%, to $8.2 billion, driven in part by more than a million new credit card customers. Conversely, revenue from main cabin ticket sales was down 5%.
Delta's operating income for 2025 was $5.82 billion, down 3% from 2024 as economic uncertainties surrounding President Trump's tariffs during the first half of the year dulled demand.
The carrier's operating margin for 2025 was 9.8%. Its net income was $5 billion.
On the earnings call, Delta executives were bullish about the current demand environment, especially for business travel and for premium leisure flying. Main cabin demand is stagnant thus far, according to airline president Glen Hauenstein, who is retiring at the end of February.
"I do think that it will move in 2026, we just have not seen it yet," he said.
Delta plans to increase capacity 3% this year, with all the growth being in the premium cabin.