Delta Air Lines posts a narrow Q1 profit and says travel demand remains strong despite flight scares

A Delta Air Lines plane takes off from Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, Nov. 22, 2022, in Atlanta. (Brynn Anderson, File/AP Photo)

Delta Air Lines eked out a narrow first-quarter profit and said Wednesday that demand for travel is strong heading into the summer-vacation season, with travelers seemingly unfazed by recent incidents in the industry that ranged from a panel blowing off a jetliner midflight flight to a tire falling off another plane during takeoff.

Delta reported the highest revenue for any first quarter in its history and a $37 million profit. It expects record-breaking revenue in the current quarter as well. The airline said that second-quarter earnings will likely beat Wall Street expectations.

Shares of Delta Air Lines Inc., based in Atlanta, jumped more than 4% before the opening bell Wednesday and other airlines were pulled higher as well on the performance.