(UNITED STATES) Delta Air Lines says its economy cabin is dragging down profits on its Europe flights this year, even as the carrier runs its biggest-ever summer schedule across the Atlantic. In a frank update on September 11, 2025, President Glen Hauenstein called the airline’s transatlantic entity “our worst-performing” in the third quarter and said the pressure is “all in the main cabin,” while premium cabins and loyalty revenues continue to lift results.
He added that the Main Cabin not producing returns at acceptable levels sits in sharp contrast to premium products that are “leading in terms of unit revenues.”
Earnings outlook and overall performance
Delta kept its Q3 and full-year 2025 earnings outlook in place, pointing to 2%–4% total revenue growth for the quarter ending September 30. Management cited improving demand trends and tighter industry capacity as supporting factors.
Still, the airline acknowledged that transatlantic performance in the summer of 2025 was weaker than expected, despite adding seats and new routes to popular cities such as Catania, Naples, Rome, Milan, Barcelona, Dublin, and Brussels.
Latest statements and investor comments
Hauenstein told investors that “July and August have not been the peak months that they once were in terms of high-end leisure into Europe,” and noted that premium products “across the board are continuing to perform.” He was blunt about the economy side:
“Right now, you have the high-end producing returns, and you have the main cabin really essentially not producing returns that are acceptable … main cabin is still negative.”
Joe Esposito, Delta’s senior vice president for network planning, tied the 2025 strategy to both route growth and premium cabins expansion, while keeping a careful eye on demand in the lower-fare market.
Key numbers (split between Main Cabin and premium)
- Main Cabin ticket revenue (Q1 2025): $5.36 billion, down from $5.43 billion in Q1 2024.
- Premium products ticket revenue (Q1 2025): $4.71 billion, up from $4.41 billion in Q1 2024.
- Premium and diverse revenue share of operating revenue: 59% in Q1 2025, up from 57% a year earlier.
- Premium revenue growth: up 7% year over year in Q1 2025, and up 5% in Q2 2025.
- Loyalty revenue growth: up 8% year over year in Q2 2025, helped by co-brand credit card spend.
- Passenger load factor: 81.4% in Q1 2025, down from 82.7% in Q1 2024.
Network, product changes and amenities
Delta ran more than 700 weekly flights to 33 European destinations in summer 2025 and has leaned heavily into premium cabins, adding more premium seats this year and planning further Comfort+ growth in 2026.
Recent product and amenity moves include:
- Delta One Lounges at major hubs
- Free international Wi‑Fi
- Upgraded premium seating on A330‑900 and A350‑900 aircraft
On the domestic side, Delta expects Main Cabin capacity to be flat or slightly lower in 2025.
Broader trend and industry context
According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, this shift mirrors a broader airline trend: premium products and loyalty programs drive profits, while the economy cabin faces tighter margins as cost-sensitive travelers change plans or trade down. Delta reports corporate and high-yield leisure demand remain strong and recorded its highest post-pandemic corporate sales in September 2025.
For broader U.S. airline metrics and market context, travelers can check the U.S. government’s Bureau of Transportation Statistics, which publishes data on traffic and capacity across carriers. Delta’s own updates and filings are at Delta Investor Relations, with newsroom updates at Delta News Hub.
Impact on travelers
Delta’s strategy of growing premium space while “rationalizing” Main Cabin capacity has direct implications:
- Premium buyers
- More seat choices and stable fares in Delta One, Premium Select, and Comfort+.
- Main Cabin flyers
- Potentially fewer seats or reduced frequency on some routes outside peak weeks as lower-yield capacity is trimmed.
- Loyalty members
- Possible tweaks to co-brand card benefits aimed at adding more value, particularly for price-sensitive flyers affected by inflation, student loans, and interest rates.
Operationally, Delta says 2025 could still be a record year for remuneration, with spending up by double digits in the quarter. Looking to 2026 and beyond, the company plans more premium growth and continued fine-tuning of Main Cabin capacity.
Practical advice for travelers
- Consider upgrading to Premium Select, Delta One, or Comfort+ for extra comfort on long transatlantic flights, as these cabins are expanding.
- Expect possible schedule trims or fewer economy seats during shoulder seasons; book earlier if you need specific dates.
- If you hold or plan to get a Delta co-brand card, watch for new perks or earning boosts as the airline seeks to “inject value” at the lower end.
Consumer trade-offs and market effects
Behind the numbers are real trade-offs:
- A couple traveling to Rome may find more Premium Select seats and a smoother lounge experience.
- A budget traveler seeking a deal to Barcelona in late August could see fewer low fares as Delta trims economy inventory to protect yields.
- Families relying on price-sensitive options may need to plan earlier, consider midweek travel, or choose shoulder months to keep costs down.
Competitors focused on low fares are feeling pressure as price-sensitive customers slow spending and card sign-ups. Industry watchers say the premium-loyalty model is gaining strength, but there is risk: if economic pressures deepen for budget travelers, demand in lower fare bands could weaken further, pushing carriers to cut more economy capacity or shift additional space to premium.
Summary and how to reach Delta
For now, Delta is staying its course: keep the Europe network broad, keep premium cabins plentiful, and manage economy supply so it stops dragging results. Hauenstein’s remarks and the quarterly figures make that priority plain.
If you need help from the airline:
– Customer Service: 1‑800‑221‑1212 (U.S.)
– International customers: see Delta’s website for country-specific contacts
Travelers should continue to monitor official channels for any changes to schedules, seating, or loyalty benefits as Delta responds to market shifts through the rest of 2025.
This Article in a Nutshell
On September 11, 2025 Delta executives said Main Cabin performance on transatlantic routes is eroding profitability despite the airline’s largest summer schedule. President Glen Hauenstein labeled the transatlantic unit “our worst-performing,” while premium cabins and loyalty programs posted stronger returns: premium ticket revenue rose to $4.71 billion in Q1 2025, up from $4.41 billion a year earlier. Delta maintained its Q3 and full-year 2025 outlook, projecting 2%–4% revenue growth, and reported higher passenger load factors and loyalty benefits. The carrier is expanding premium seating and Comfort+ for 2026 while rationalizing Main Cabin capacity, which may reduce economy seats on some routes and prompt travelers to book earlier or consider upgrades.
