Quantcast

S&P upgrades Delta Air Lines' credit rating, marking full investment-grade status

Routes & Networks Latest: Rolling Daily Updates (W/C Sept. 22, 2025)
First new Qantas Airbus jets come with one toilet for every 90 economy passengers – worse than Jetstar, Scoot and Ryanair
Breeze Airways becomes the first new US flag carrier in a decade — just as rival Spirit fights its 2nd bankruptcy
Airport runway close calls spur hopes for wider adoption of cockpit alert technology
Family sues American Airlines over deadly crash near National Airport
United Airlines briefly grounds all flights in US, Canada for second time in 2 months
2025 Air Canada flight attendants strike
Spirit Airlines preparing to furlough one-third of its flight attendants
‘Hypocrisy’ and ‘blackmail’: Ryanair’s feud with Spain
Exclusive: Turkey's surprise Air Europa deal came down to one key thing: control
Major airline launches exciting new route from Scotland to popular US location
Airlines fear carbon tax as flagship climate scheme develops holes
Ryanair scraps three Vienna routes, demands lower taxes and fees
Turkish Airlines has no intention of raising stake in Spain's Air Europa, chairman says
US lawmakers want Trump to reinstate delay compensation plan for air travelers
IATA pushes to raise international pilot retirement age to 67
US orders Delta and Aeromexico to dissolve their partnership over fairness concerns in Mexico
Southwest’s New Wheelchair Policy Will Require Passengers to Remove 1 Item Before Boarding — What to Know
Aviation expansion: IndiGo to start direct Mumbai-Copenhagen flights from Oct 8; marks entry into Nordics - The Times of India
Major change for ALL Aer Lingus passengers flying from busy airport to offer 'modern and streamlined' experience
Southwest Airlines adds Sonoma County in California expansion - The Points Guy
Routes & Networks Latest: Rolling Daily Updates (W/C Sept. 8, 2025)
Delta Sees Record Premium Seats in '26, Main Cabin Flat or Down
Southwest requiring removal of batteries from mobility devices before boarding
Qantas’ milestone move for huge, new planes
EasyJet to launch 11 new flight routes from small UK airport named the best in Europe
Tycoon unveils £25 billion rival Heathrow expansion plan
Boeing and Airbus ground green plane projects
50 New Routes Launching In September 2025
JetBlue's Network Shake-Up: Its Top 10 Routes This Month
S&P upgrades Delta Air Lines' credit rating, marking full investment-grade status
Policy
Webp uh4mjd55m1lnm66falkqbfqpbrnj
Alain Bellemare E.V.P. & President – International | Delta Air Lines

Delta Air Lines has reached a significant financial achievement as S&P Global Ratings upgraded its credit rating to investment grade. This upgrade makes S&P the last of the three major credit rating agencies to recognize Delta's improved financial standing. The company has been focusing on debt reduction and strengthening its balance sheet.

Dan Janki, Delta's chief financial officer, expressed optimism about this development: "It’s exciting to see Delta return to investment grade at all three credit agencies as we near the end of 2024 and set our sights on making our 100th year the most profitable in our history."

The upgrade follows Delta's Investor Day event on November 20, where it shared strategic insights into future financial goals. S&P evaluated these updates before deciding on the credit rating change.

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 committed to achieving investment grade status in 2021 as part of its recovery plan from the pandemic. S&P acknowledged Delta's efforts: "Delta has enhanced its capacity to withstand unexpected earnings weakness linked to historically volatile airline market conditions and preserve credit measures commensurate with its rating."

The report further stated that "Delta is well positioned to generate sustainably stronger credit measures," highlighting improvements in earnings and cash flow over recent years. It also noted a structural shift in passenger travel demand benefiting Delta.

Currently, Delta is one of only two airlines among DOT-reporting competitors holding an investment-grade rating across all three agencies.

Forward-looking statements within this article are subject to various risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from expectations. More information about these risks can be found in Delta's SEC filings.

Organizations Included in this History
More News

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has announced that its Wings of Change Europe (WOCE) event will take place at the Steigenberger Icon Wiltcher's Hotel in Brussels.

Oct 23, 2025

Delta Air Lines has announced a new partnership with Crunchyroll, the global anime streaming platform, to bring a curated selection of anime content to its flights.

Oct 23, 2025

Delta Air Lines has been recognized as one of the 2025 Fortune Best Workplaces for Women, marking its return to the list since 2019.

Oct 23, 2025

Delta Air Lines marked its 100th anniversary by serving as the official airline of the 60th Head of the Charles Regatta (HOCR) in Boston.

Oct 23, 2025

American Airlines has announced that it will upgrade its Boeing 777-200ER aircraft with new Flagship Suites, the airline's latest business-class product.

Oct 23, 2025

Delta Air Lines will introduce a new in-flight dining partnership with Chef José Andrés, bringing Spanish-inspired cuisine to select cabins starting November 4.

Oct 23, 2025