Just a few months into 2024, amid the Boeing crisis and industry-wide contract disputes, one airline is managing to dodge disasters and deliver a great experience for customers.
At the end of February, Air Transport World – the most-engaged publication in the global airline management community – named Delta Air Lines ‘Airline of the Year’ for the Magazine’s 50th annual ATW Airline Industry Awards.
The prestigious award recognises excellence across a broad range of airline operations. The awards are due to be held in Dubai on May 31.
Delta was officially selected by a panel of editors and analysts from Aviation Week Network’s ATW, Routes, and CAPA publications. The panel cited Delta’s exeptional performance throughout 2023: turning over record revenue, leading on-time performance (OTP), and positive growth across domestic, international, leisure, and corporate markets, all contributed to the panel’s decision.
The award is further testament to the airline’s commitment to operational excellence, safety, and its exceptional customer service.
This is not the first time Delta has been recognised for exceptional perofrmance. The airline is also currently ranked 11 on Fortune’s ‘World’s Most Admired Companies’ list for 2024, higher than any other airline.
Furthermore, the flagcarrier has also held top spot for 13 consecutive years in Business Travel News’ airline survey.
Likewise, Delta was ranked ‘The Top U.S. Airline of 2023’ by The Wall Street Journal in late January and claimed Cririum’s ‘Platinum Award for Operational Excellence’ the same year.
Delta’s dedication to safe and efficient operations has clealry earned the trust of its customers. This level of commitment extends to customer experience, in air with ulta-fast broadband by T-Mobile and on the ground through key infrastructural investements and Sky Club renovations.
Ed Bastian, CEO of Delta Air Lines, said that ATW’s award was “a tremendous honor and a direct reflection of the dedication of our 100,000 people worldwide.”
“Their care and professionalism will take us to even greater heights as we soar into the future,” he continued.
The ATW Airline Industry Achievement Awards were first established in 1974 to promote the recognition of global airlines that excel in both performance and service.
Karen Walker, Group Editor-in-Chief of ATW, expressed they are “proud to celebrate Delta’s success, a true testament to their exceptional team effort and visionary leadership. Their dedication reflects the positive impact the air transport industry and its people have on the world.”
Beyond industry leadership, Delta further prioritizes sustainability through advocacy and action, a committment which did not go unnoticed by the ATW. In late February, the carrier outlined their ambitious path to achieving net zero by 2050, providing a clear roadmap to achieving this aim.
Furthermore, Delta is renowned for maintining its excellent relationship with frontline staff. Following a successful year in 2023, Delta paid out $1.4 billion in profit sharing directly to employees – over double what employees were paid in bonuses a year ago.
The generous initiative saw more than 100,000 Delta employees receive payments which came to around 10% of their annual salary – more than a month’s pay – on February 17, 2024.
All Delta employees below mid-level managers, including mechanical workers and flight attendants, participate in the program.
Meanwhile, flight attendants at other US airlines, including American and United Airlines, remain embroiled in bitter contract disputes with their employers– as unions fail to negotiate better deals for their memebership. Delta flight attendants are unique in the industry as the only major airline workforce not represented by a labor union.