Delta secured a high No. 11 listing on Fortune’s World’s Most Admired Companies recognition. This is the airline’s 12th year achieving this feat. 

Delta scored 11 overall in the all-star rankings; the next-highest score for a global airline was 28.

“This incredible recognition validates what we already know to be true – our people are the secret of our success," said Delta CEO Ed Bastian. "Because of their commitment to excellence, Delta continues to deliver world-class service and industry-leading operations for our customers – something we have done for 100 years and plan to continue for 100 more.”

Safe, reliable service coupled with an elevated culture of care is what makes Delta the primary choice for our customers. Underneath this foundation of strong brand trust is the valuable work of our people – the reason why Delta is the industry’s most awarded airline.

In the last year, millions of Delta customers have enjoyed new and enhanced experiences designed to elevate their premium travel:

• Delicious onboard collaborations like Delta's first-of-its-kind partnership with Shake Shack
• Industry-leading connectivity, with fast, free Delta Sync Wi-Fi presented by T-Mobile now available on more than 885 aircraft domestically – connectivity at an unprecedented scale – with expansion to international routes well underway. Plus, a smarter Delta Sync seatback entertainment experience that makes your seat in the sky feel more like the seat in your living room
• Pre-flight luxury at newly debuted Delta One Lounges, now at JFK, LAX and BOS -- plus, expansion of the award-winning Delta Sky Club network to Charlotte
• Easier airport navigation, with expansion of Digital ID to SLC and DCA for a hands-free experience at bag drop and security
• Launched Delta’s largest international schedule with over 80+ routes, along with the Fly Delta 6.0 update featuring a suite of improvements for greater efficiency during the travel journey.
• Enhanced loyalty benefits that make every trip even more rewarding, including more once-in-a-lifetime moments with the relaunched SkyMiles Experiences platform
• Delta achieved a number of milestones on its journey to connect people to a more sustainable future of travel, including Delta’s Carbon Council saving a cumulative 41 million gallons of jet fuel¹, in 2024 due to operational improvements; announcing plans to develop the first SAF blending facility in Minnesota; and introducing new paper cups and kraft paper ear bud wrapping to reduce single use plastic in flight. 
  • ¹ Relative to what we would have used if Delta had not undertaken any fuel efficiency efforts.   

And there's even more for customers to look forward to this year. From exclusive new partnerships with beloved brands like Uber and YouTube to industry-leading digital tools that make travel even easier – Delta continues its climb as one of the world's most admired companies. 

Delta has established its leadership in the industry with multiple notable recognitions, including J.D. Power’s top-ranked airline for First/Business and Premium Economy Passenger Satisfaction in its 2024 North America Airline Satisfaction Study, Cirium’s Platinum Award for high timeliness and operational excellence for the third consecutive year, and placing No. 1 in the Business Travel Magazine survey for the fourteenth year in a row.

HOW FORTUNE DETERMINES THE MOST ADMIRED COMPANIES:

Fortune collaborated with Korn Ferry on this survey of corporate reputations. The publication began with about 1,500 candidates from a pool of the 1,000 largest U.S. companies ranked by revenue, along with non-U.S. companies in Fortune’s Global 500 database that have revenues of $10 billion or more. The list was narrowed to the highest-revenue companies in each industry, a total of 650 in 30 countries. The top-rated companies were picked from that pool of 650; the executives who voted work at the companies in that group.

To determine the best-regarded companies in 51 industries, Korn Ferry asked executives, directors, and analysts to rate enterprises in their own industry on nine criteria, from investment value and quality of management and products to social responsibility and ability to attract talent. A company’s score must rank in the top half of its industry survey to be listed.

To select the top 50, Korn Ferry asked 3,380 senior executives, directors and industry analysts to select the 10 companies they admired most and rank each one on a number of attributes. They chose from a list made up of the companies that ranked in the top 25% in last year’s surveys, plus those that finished in the top 20% of their industry. Anyone could vote for any company in any industry.