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Travel can change the world. For good. 2023 ESG Report

In 2023, the people of Delta Air Lines led the industry, strengthening our trusted global brand by consistently delivering operational excellence, unmatched financial performance and the welcoming, caring and elevated service our customers deserve. Once again, Delta’s longstanding values of always putting people first set us apart from the competition. ”

Ed Bastian Chief Executive Officer, Delta Air Lines
A Message From Ed Bastian

2023 ESG Highlights

  • 190M+

    Customers transported safely with nearly 85% of flights arriving on time, leading all North American airlines in 2023

    ( source)

  • Delivering Data Directly to Pilots

    In the hands of pilots, FlightPulse enables new levels of transparency, inclusion and shared responsibility that empowers pilots to fly their best

  • Made technology-enabled enhancements

    To help our flight attendants more effectively handle in-flight medical events

  • 400+

    Operational leaders brought together at our second annual Safety & Environment Summit

Read more on Safety

  • Industry-leading profit sharing

    $1.4B

    Paid to employees from 2023 profits
    (inclusive of 401(k) contributions and payroll taxes)

  • Industry-leading profit sharing

    $8B+

    Shared with employees since 2015 through industry-leading profit-sharing program

  • Continued momentum in financial wellness

    Launched the Delta Emergency Savings Program

    To help employees prepare for life’s unexpected moments and jumpstart their financial wellness journeys by contributing up to $1,000 to eligible employees who complete financial coaching, education and savings requirements

  • Continued momentum in financial wellness

    $19/hour

    Delta continues to invest in our people by increasing the starting rate to at least $19 per hour for domestic roles

  • Expanding equitable outcomes

    82%

    Of all job openings filled externally in 2023 did not require a college degree

  • Expanding equitable outcomes

    35%

    Of corporate and management openings in 2023 were filled with talent in frontline roles
    (exceeding our long-term goal of 25%)

  • Expanding equitable outcomes

    50%

    Of the top 600 leaders at Delta (officers and directors) were women or racially/ethnically diverse

Read more on People

Connecting People to a More
Sustainable Future of Travel

  • EFFICIENT AIRCRAFT OPERATIONS

    21M

    Gallons of cumulative annual fuel savings compared to 2019 through initiatives like enhanced routing for selected flights and reductions to catering service weight and potable water on board

  • EFFICIENT AIRCRAFT OPERATIONS

    5.5%

    Improvement in fleet-wide fuel efficiency since 2019

  • CLEANER FUEL

    3.5M

    Gallons of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) delivered, more than double the amount in 2022

  • CLEANER FUEL

    Helped establish Minnesota SAF hub

    A first-of-its-kind coalition leveraging collaboration across the value chain to scale SAF at the Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport

  • REVOLUTIONARY FLEET

    43

    Next-generation aircraft received as of year-end 2023, achieving, on average, 28% greater fuel efficiency per seat mile than aircraft retired since 2019

  • REVOLUTIONARY FLEET

    Joined the Sustainable Flight Demonstrator Program

    To help develop a new aircraft design with the aim of reducing fuel burn and emissions

  • THE TRAVEL EXPERIENCE

    Began onboard testing of new paper cups

    Aiming to help eliminate nearly 7 million pounds of single-use plastics on board annually

  • GROUND OPERATIONS & FACILITIES

    31%

    Of our critical ground service equipment (GSE) fleet is electrified, thanks to our deployment of 1,647 new electric units since 2020

  • SUPPLY CHAIN

    Founding member of EcoVadis Sustainable Airlines Initiative

    Which aims to improve ethical, social and environmental business standards across the industry’s value chain

  • GHG Reduction Goal

    Medium-Term Science Based Targets initiative-validated target

    Reduce jet fuel-related greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions intensity 45% by 2035

  • Progress

    3.2%

    Reduction in our jet fuel-related GHG emissions per revenue ton kilometer in 2023

Read more on Climate and Environment

  • $60M

    In charitable giving, exceeding our goal to contribute at least 1% of the company’s profits to communities worldwide

  • $18M

    Raised by Delta employees and customers for major fundraisers in 2023, including the American Cancer Society, American Heart Association, Breast Cancer Research Foundation, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Covenant House, Delta Care and Scholarship Fund and United Way

  • Continued to partner with KABOOM!

    To address playspace inequity by building 37 community-specific playgrounds in underserved minority communities, benefiting more than 48,000 kids since 2013

Read more on Community Engagement

  • 58%

    Of Board members are diverse by race, gender and/or ethnicity

  • Best-in-class governance practices

    Reflected in our Board structure and allocation of oversight responsibilities among Board committees on issues including safety, cybersecurity, environmental sustainability and enterprise risk management

  • Maintain strong shareholder rights and engagement practices

Read more on Governance