Delta Air Lines today reported financial results for the March quarter and provided its outlook for the June quarter 2023. Membership in the Delta SkyMiles program exploded during the first quarter, related in part to Delta Air Lines' Feb. 1 introduction of free WiFi on most of its domestic single-aisle fleet.
(Image Source)
GLO- March quarter revenue and earnings results in-line with guidance
- Record March quarter operating cash flow enabled accelerated debt reduction
- Expect record June quarter revenue, mid-teens operating margin, and EPS of $2.00 to $2.25
- Reiterating 2023 outlook for significant EPS growth to $5 to $6 and free cash flow of more than $2 billion
Delta Air Lines (NYSE:DAL) today reported financial results for the March quarter and provided its outlook for the June quarter 2023. Highlights of the March quarter, including both GAAP and adjusted metrics, are on page five and incorporated here.
“Thanks to the outstanding work and dedication of the Delta team, 2023 is off to a strong start. We provided well-deserved pay increases for our people and paid more profit sharing than the rest of the industry combined. Delta is building momentum, with the best people in the industry generating nearly $5 billion of operating profit over the last twelve months,” said Ed Bastian, Delta’s chief executive officer. “For the June quarter, we expect to deliver record revenue, and an adjusted operating margin of 14 to 16 percent with earnings per share of $2.00 to $2.25.”
“With solid March quarter profitability and a strong outlook for the June quarter, we are confident in our full-year guidance for revenue growth of 15 to 20 percent year over year, earnings of $5 to $6 per share and free cash flow of over $2 billion,” Bastian said.
Delta SkyMiles program:
Membership in the Delta SkyMiles program exploded during the first quarter, related in part to Delta Air Lines’ Feb. 1 introduction of free WiFi on most of its domestic single-aisle fleet.
“As we’ve rolled out fast, free WiFi as well as other benefits, new SkyMiles memberships have accelerated at a record pace,” CEO Ed Bastian said during an earnings call Thursday.
Three million new members joined the SkyMiles program in January through March, Bastian said, with growth in the program coming fastest among younger cardholders.
Delta Co-braded American Express Credit card:
Bastian also said that co-branded credit card renumeration from American Express was up 38% year over year for the quarter, reaching $1.7 billion.
A desire to drive new SkyMiles membership was a major factor in Delta’s decision to implement free WiFi across its fleet. Flyers must join the SkyMiles program in order to access the offering.
Bastian said that this month the carrier will begin its second implementation related to the WiFi rollout – the introduction of the personalized inflight-entertainment experience Delta Sync.
With Delta Sync, flyers will receive tailored content recommendations similar to what they experience on their home smart TV. Delta Sync will also offer real-time seatback flight notifications, exclusive deals in partnership with other consumer brands and food and beverage ordering in first class.
MARCH QUARTER 2023 GAAP FINANCIAL RESULTS:
- Operating revenue of $12.8 billion
- Operating loss of $277 million with an operating margin of (2.2)%
- Pre-tax loss of $506 million with a pre-tax margin of (4)%
- EPS of ($0.57)
- Operating cash flow of $2.2 billion
- Payments on debt and finance lease obligations of $1.2 billion
- Total debt and finance lease obligations of $22 billion at quarter end
MARCH QUARTER 2023 ADJUSTED FINANCIAL RESULTS
- Operating revenue of $11.8 billion, 45% higher than the March quarter 2022 and 14% higher than the March quarter 2019, including a 1 point impact from flying lower capacity than initially planned
- Operating income of $546 million with an operating margin of 4.6%
- Pre-tax income of $217 million with a pre-tax margin of 1.8%
- Earnings per share of $0.25
- Operating cash flow of $2.9 billion
- Free cash flow of $1.9 billion
- $9.5 billion in liquidity* andadjusted net debt of $21 billion at quarter end
*Includes cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments and undrawn revolving credit facilities
JUNE QUARTER AND FULL YEAR OUTLOOK1
|
|
2Q23 Forecast |
FY 2023 Forecast2 |
|
Total Revenue YoY |
+15% – 17% |
+15% – 20% |
|
Operating Margin |
14% – 16% |
10% – 12% |
|
Earnings Per Share |
$2.00 – $2.25 |
$5 – $6 |
1 Non-GAAP measures; Refer to Non-GAAP reconciliations for comparison figures
2 Reiteration of FY2023 guidance initially provided in December 2022
Additional metrics for financial modeling can be found in the Supplemental Information section under Quarterly Results on ir.delta.com.
