Sharing success with the 100,000 employees who make Delta America’s most awarded airline is a foundational principle of the company’s culture. This Valentine’s Day, Delta paid out $1.4 billion in profits to its people — providing a bonus equivalent to 10% of an employees’ annual wages.   

Delta recorded a successful 2023 thanks to its world-class team across the globe. On top of a strong earnings report, the airline grew its network by double digits, operated its largest ever trans-Atlantic schedule over the summer, served nearly 200 million customers worldwide and retained its status as America’s most awarded airline.   

Since 2007, Delta has paid out over $11 billion in profit sharing, with this year marking the seventh time over $1 billion has been distributed to employees. Profit-sharing is just one of the many ways Delta reinvests in its people.  

Delta offers competitive base pay, monthly shared rewards, one-on-one financial coaching with the ability to earn $1,000 for emergency savings, generous 401(k) contributions toward retirement savings and much more.  

Delta’s annual profit payout benefits not only Delta people, but the local economies where employees live, work and serve. The payouts cascade down from recipients to a wide array of businesses both big and small, causing a ripple effect that uplifts entire communities. This year’s profit-sharing distribution spans from coast to coast and covers a broad, diverse array of people and cultures reflective of Delta’s workforce:  

• $595.0 million in Georgia, Delta’s home state and largest hub at Atlanta.  

• $185.0 million in New York, home to Delta’s hubs at LaGuardia and JFK airports.  

• $124.1 million in Minnesota, home to Delta’s hub in Minneapolis-St. Paul.  

• $110.3 million in Michigan, home to Delta’s Detroit hub.  

• $86.0 million in California, home to Delta’s Los Angeles hub.  

• $76.8 million in Washington, home to Delta’s Seattle hub.   

• $75.9 million in Utah, home to Delta’s Salt Lake City hub. 

• $86.0 million in Florida, home to LATAM’s Miami hub and an important part of Delta’s joint venture partnership with LATAM. 

• $20.2 million in Massachusetts, home to Delta’s Boston hub.  

In addition to the impact profit-sharing has on communities across the country, Delta’s operation has a sizable economic impact across the U.S. Airlines for America estimates that commercial aviation generates 5% of U.S. GDP, or roughly $1.25 trillion in 2022. And as of November 2023, the U.S. Department of Transportation reported the total number of people employed in commercial aviation (which includes U.S. passenger and cargo airlines) at over 800,000 — meaning that approximately 1 in 8 people employed in commercial aviation are Delta employees.   

In addition to yearly profit sharing, the airline regularly contributes to community service and social good initiatives. Last year, Delta Air Lines and The Delta Air Lines Foundation contributed $60 million to support communities around the globe through community partnerships and Delta people raised over $8 million for a variety of causes through fundraising efforts.