Delta’s $1.3 Billion Valentine: Huge Profit-Sharing Payout Exceeds All US Airlines Combined

Delta Air Lines marked Profit Sharing Day on February 13, with a $1.3 billion gift for its workforce, a large employee bonus pool that the airline says is larger than that of all other major North American carriers combined. This payout underscores how Delta uses compensation as a strategy, with the airline sharing upside in good years in order to reinforce culture, retain talent, and keep frontline teams focused on operational reliability and premium services.