##  Delta to raise employee pay for fifth year in a row 



Delta announces plans to provide a 4% pay raise to eligible employees worldwide – a significant investment as the airline continues to navigate industry pressures.



Staff Writer

Fri, 05/01/2026 - 08:30

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Following a $1.3 billion profit sharing bonus to employees worldwide this year, Delta is once again investing in our people with a 4% pay raise.



This is the fifth consecutive pay raise in the last five years and represents an additional $500 million annual investment in employees.



### **CEO Ed Bastian thanks employees**



In an internal memo to employees, CEO Ed Bastian said despite industry pressures, “Caring for our people is the heart of Delta’s culture. This core value guides our approach to making consistent and meaningful investments in you and your colleagues.”



Bastian thanked employees for navigating industry challenges like volatile fuel costs and TSA staffing challenges with a focus on safety, reliability and delivering the world-class service our customers expect.



With this increase, Delta continues to lead the industry in providing the highest total compensation for frontline employees for stand out performance. In the last five years, we’ve made an average investment of 30% in compensation in each of our largest frontline workgroups, including this increase.



### **Sharing our success with employees**



Delta people drive our success, which is why our compensation philosophy is rooted in shared success. When Delta does well, employees share in the results, such as annual pay raises and this year’s profit sharing payout that was more than the rest of the industry combined.



Delta is consistently recognized for excellence as an employer, climbing to the [top ten](https://news.delta.com/delta-earns-spot-top-ten-fortune-100-best-companies-work-forr-list) 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 is the only commercial airline on the list.





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