Ed Bastian

Many of you may not love Mondays but when you love your job and Delta Air Lines as much as I do, I can hardly wait for Mondays, especially like this one, to roll around.
 
Today is Employee Appreciation Day at Delta and I spent it thanking and celebrating with employees across our hometown of Atlanta. To the 75,000 Delta people around the world: thank you for all you do. You are the world’s greatest.

#appreciation

Travelers continue to return to the skies and Delta Air Lines is thrilled to reconnect our customers with the people and places they love most.
 
Starting today, the government is lifting international pre-departure testing requirements, making travel easier for those seeking international destinations this summer and beyond. We are grateful for the government’s leadership through the pandemic and know this is a great step forward.
 
I look forward to seeing you on a Delta flight this summer.

This morning we reported March quarter results, marking another important step forward in our recovery. Our revenue recovery in the March quarter reached 79% of 2019 levels, 5 points ahead of the mid-point of our initial guidance. As expected, January and February generated operating losses. As omicron receded, we saw a surge in demand, supporting an inflection to a solid profit in the month of March. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/dUnnWwWh
 
I know our teams at Delta Air Lines have been working incredibly hard as we ramp up operations into the peak travel period, and I want to thank them for all they do for our customers and each other.

Just returned from another great trip to London where I was able to reconnect with so many friendly faces including our partners at Virgin Atlantic.

With travel requirements loosening, now is the perfect time to plan an international trip whether it be for business or leisure. Where are you all hoping to visit soon?

We are saddened to hear the news of Senator Johnny Isakson’s passing. When I think of Senator Isakson, I think of a true statesman who brought understanding and compassion through his service. He was well known for his ability to reach across party lines to get things done, a rare quality in today’s divided times.
 
He was a strong advocate for Delta people, rescuing the pension for tens of thousands of our employees as well as supporting our independence when others wanted to take us over. During times of great uncertainty, Johnny was among our biggest champions - without him, Delta would look very different today.
 
In early 2020, we celebrated his well-deserved retirement and his many accomplishments over 45 years of government service, dedicating an exhibit in our Delta Flight Museum in his honor right before COVID took hold. Our thoughts are with his family and friends today.

A few months back, I had a chance to sit down and spend time with Dr. Bernice A. King at The Martin Luther King, Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Change (The King Center) in Atlanta for a powerful conversation full of education and the legacy of her father that she carries on. So many of her words and insights have stuck with me as I reflect this morning.

As we remember and celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. today, I’m hopeful that by using his principles that we may create a society we are all proud to live in. The more we can open our hearts and minds to listen, the more we can make change for the better. I look forward to continuing to listen and take action that will not only make Delta Air Lines better, but will flow into our communities for years to come.