People-First Culture: Delta Employees Celebrate Profit Sharing

Delta will pay its employees $1.3 billion in profit sharing for 2025, representing 8.9% of their eligible annual earnings, or more than four weeks of extra pay on average. 

Since 2007, Profit Sharing Day – traditionally timed with Valentine’s Day – has been the company’s annual celebration of the power of Delta people and our people-first culture. 

“Sharing our success is central to our values,” said Delta CEO Ed Bastian. “That’s why we’ve paid more than $11 billion in profits directly to our employees worldwide since 2015. Congratulations to every member of the Delta team on this well-earned payout and thank you for your outstanding performance taking care of our customers in 2025.” 

Since its earliest days, Delta’s business model has been based on the idea that investing in employees is investing in the continued success of the company. Delta employees receive 10% of the first $2.5 billion the airline earns and 20% above $2.5 billion. 

This year’s $1.3 billion payout, which is among the top five largest in Delta’s history, is more than the rest of the industry combined.

Additionally, Delta Leadership has shared that employees will receive a pay increase in 2026. More details to follow.     

This year’s profit-sharing distribution spans across the globe including: 

Domestic:   

• Georgia - $567.9 million (43,500 employees)

• New York - $171.1 million (13,500 employees)

• Minnesota - $113.7 million (8,900 employees)

• Michigan - $112 million (8,100 employees)

• California - $84 million (6,000 employees)

• Utah - $77 million (6,300 employees)

• Washington - $75.5 million (4,700 employees)

• Florida - $30.3 million (4,300 employees)

• Massachusetts - $28.7 million (3,600 employees)

• Texas - $12.2 million (1,800 employees) 

International: 

• EMEAI - $4.7 million

• Latin America - $1.7 million

• NAM (Canada, U.S. Virgin Islands and Bermuda) - $1.6 million

• Asia-Pacific - $4.5 million 

Delta is consistently recognized for excellence as an employer, ranking No. 15 on the Fortune 100 Best Companies to Work For? list, which is selected by workplace culture experts at Great Place To Work every year.  

Delta also placed No. 2 in Forbes list of World’s Best Employers 2025 and was featured in Forbes’ list of America’s best employers by state, including ranking No. 1 in Georgia, Michigan and Utah.