Delta forecast first-quarter earnings per share of between 70 cents and $1, slightly higher than analysts' estimates. Delta beat sales and earnings estimates for the last three months of the year. The carrier is the first of the major U.

Delta Air Lines expects a strong appetite for high-end travel to fuel profit in 2025, said Chief Executive Ed Bastian. The forecast comes as the airline posted better-than-expected revenue growth in the latest quarter as demand picked up.

Delta Air Lines Inc. surpassed Wall Street's profit expectations for the fourth quarter, driven by robust international and corporate travel demand. CEO Ed Bastian cited a favorable supply-demand balance and strong demand visibility into spring 2025.

Shares of Delta Airlines climbed significantly Friday after the company released fourth quarter and full-year financial results, which predict the current fiscal year could be the best ever for the Atlanta-based carrier.

If investors were questioning whether airline stocks could keep rallying, Delta Air Lines has provided an emphatic answer. The carrier’s fourth-quarter earnings and positive outlook for 2025 gave the sector’s stocks permission to take off again early Friday.