Delta Airlines Sees Profits Soar In 2014

Delta Airlines is soaring.

“They got numbers that airlines used to hope for during peak quarters,” says airline analyst Seth Kaplan.

The Atlanta-based carrier earned $2.8 billion in net profit, excluding special items, in 2014.

That is the biggest profit in Delta’s history, topping 2013’s data.

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Less expensive fuel also helped the bottom line; although, Delta didn’t save as much money as it could have because it purchased the fuel in advance.

All carriers are benefiting from cheaper prices at the pump.

“They’re flying a schedule that they planned back when they expected fuel to be much more expensive.  So, basically they get the benefit of those falling fuel prices,” says Kaplan.

The overall industry also benefits from mergers causing less competition and the fees it charges customers.