Quantcast

Delta Air Lines regains Fitch investment-grade rating

Wizz Air becomes first airline to operate P&W-powered Airbus A321XLR jet
Hawaiian Airlines’ new ‘no show’ policy may make travel more expensive
BLIMP-SE OF THE FUTURE Luxury zeppelins of the future from ‘flying bum’ world’s largest aircraft to Google billionaire’s ‘impossible’ airship
Swiss Startup SmartFlyer Develops Hybrid-Electric Trainer
San Francisco-based entrepreneur takes a trip on India's worst-rated airline, his reaction will surprise you
First-Time Flyer at 81: A Grandmother's Memorable Journey
Global Airlines Launches Inaugural Flight, Aiming to Revive 'Golden Age of Travel'
Winning routes: American Airlines adds more than 22,000 seats for football fans following release of 2025–2026 pro schedule
Boeing scores Middle East plane deal during Trump visit
Air travel will be ‘worse’ this summer, lawmakers warn — as FAA gives infuriating update on system fixes, staffing issues
United Airlines CEO Reassures Passengers About Newark Airport Safety
American Testing Tech to Help Passengers Make Connecting Flights
British Airways to use AI in efforts to improve operations
American Airlines Tests New Tech to Help Passengers With Tight Connections During Summer Rush
Flight Diverted After Pregnant Woman on Board Goes into Labor and Delivers Her Baby: Report
United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby says "this is the most optimistic I've been in my entire career about finally getting the FAA fixed"
U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy Unveils Plan to Build Brand New, State-of-the-Art Air Traffic Control System
Passenger rushing for next flight can't believe what woman next to her does
Why fuel price crash won’t make flying cheaper
Kristi Noem says travelers without Real ID will still be able to fly after deadline
Frontier Airlines Announces New Routes Launching This Summer, Connecting Baltimore With Chicago O’Hare and Trenton, N.J. With Myrtle Beach, S.C.
Airlines in North America prioritize investments in cyber, AI
The evolution of the airline uniform — a cross check
Global Airlines & HiFly Operate 1st Passenger Airbus A380 Flight Between Barcelona And Berlin
American Airlines unveils ritzy new plane suites launching this summer
Airline Stocks To Keep An Eye On - April 28th
Gatwick Airport Faces Potential Strikes
50 New Routes Starting In May 2025
Report: JetBlue, United Mulling Partnership
New First-Class Suites, Futuristic Aircraft and the Top Air Travel News From April 2025
Delta Air Lines regains Fitch investment-grade rating
Policy
Webp q21f5nitffycj044lotyey7psz4t
Joanna Bailey Managing Editor | Simple Flying

Delta Air Lines' credit ratings have been upgraded by Fitch Ratings, which cited significantly reduced debt and a solid business profile among other factors. Despite this improvement, Fitch has rated American Airlines and United Airlines below Delta.

Fitch Ratings upgraded Delta's long-term issuer default rating, senior secured debt ratings, LaGuardia industrial revenue bonds, and unsecured ratings. This reflects the airline’s improved credit metrics following the end of the pandemic.

The agency highlighted Delta's efforts to reduce its debt over recent years. The airline has cut gross debt and operating leases by approximately $11 billion in the past three years. Unencumbered assets are expected to total $30 billion by the end of 2024.

Get the Newsletter
Sign-up to receive weekly round up of news from Sky Industry News
By submitting, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. By providing your phone number you are opting in and consenting to receive recurring SMS/MMS messages, including automated texts, to that number from our short code. Msg & data rates may apply. Reply HELP for help, STOP to end. SMS opt-in will not be sold, rented, or shared.

Delta's current long-term issuer default rating (LT IDR) stands at BBB-, indicating good credit quality, up from BB+, which is considered speculative.

Fitch expects Delta to maintain its earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization, and restructuring or rent costs (EBITDAR) leverage in the mid-2x range. The carrier is also anticipated to achieve fixed charge coverage greater than 4x and generate consistent positive free cash flow (FCF), aligning with an investment-grade credit profile.

"Delta also benefits from a solid business profile reflected in its leading position in key markets and strong brand reputation," Fitch stated. "The ratings consider Delta's conservative financial policies, with management consistently prioritizing manageable debt levels."

Achieving an investment-grade rating was a goal set by Delta Air Lines in 2021 as part of its plans to recover from the pandemic. Alongside Fitch Ratings, Moody’s Investor Service has also rated Delta as investment grade. However, S&P Global Ratings currently rates the airline one step below investment grade.

Dan Janki, Chief Financial Officer of Delta Air Lines, described Fitch’s upgrade as a significant achievement reflecting the hard work of the airline’s employees. "We’ll continue to focus on strengthening our balance sheet and our financial foundation as we move forward into the second half of the year and beyond," he said.

During the first half of 2024, Delta reported $30.4 billion in revenue—a 7% increase year-on-year—resulting in an unaudited net profit of $1.3 billion, down 8% from the same period in 2023. By June 30th, long-term debt stood at $14 billion compared to $15.9 billion at the end of 2023; cash and cash equivalents improved from $2.7 billion to $4.1 billion during this period.

In comparison, Fitch Ratings assigned American Airlines Group a B+ rating (‘highly speculative’) and United Airlines Holdings a BB- rating (‘speculative’). These ratings were reviewed earlier this year without any upgrades or downgrades being made.

Organizations Included in this History
More News

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) anticipates that Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) production will reach 2 million tonnes, equivalent to 0.7% of total airline fuel consumption by 2025.

Jun 1, 2025

Emirates Airline has entered into a partnership with Al Ain Football Club, which will see the airline become the Official Airline Partner for the club during the 2025/26 season.

Jun 1, 2025

IATA has called on governments to eliminate barriers preventing airlines from repatriating revenues from ticket sales and other activities.

Jun 1, 2025

IndiGo, Delta Air Lines, Air France-KLM, and Virgin Atlantic have announced a strategic partnership aimed at connecting India with Europe and North America.

Jun 1, 2025

As the aviation industry recovers in 2025, airlines face critical decisions when expanding their fleets.

Jun 1, 2025

In the United States, five airlines are currently operating Boeing 737 MAX aircraft: Alaska Airlines, Allegiant Air, American Airlines, Southwest Airlines, and United Airlines.

Jun 1, 2025