As Delta’s Senior Vice President – Flight Operations, Ryan Gumm serves as the airline’s FAA certificate director of operations and oversees all Flight Operations departments, including Flying and Line Operations, Crew Resources and Scheduling, Flight Training and Standards, and Flight Safety.

A 757/767 captain and Navy veteran, Ryan has extensive operational experience that enables him to provide Delta pilots with the tools and support they need to deliver safe and reliable air transportation.

Previously, Ryan served as Delta’s Senior Vice President – Operations & Customer Center (OCC) and Ops Analytics with oversight of Delta’s worldwide operations and a focus on safety, reliability and customer service. The OCC encompasses a vast array of disciplines from nearly every branch of Delta’s operational and customer divisions to make proactive and real-time decisions, resulting in the record-breaking operational performance and industry-leading results that Delta is well known for. Ryan was not only responsible for the OCC, he also led the Ops Analytics team as they continued to advance the use of analytics, data science and data-driven performance management as a key enabler for our people to deliver a customer experience that is safe, clean, on-time with bags.

Ryan is an industry veteran with more than 25 years of airline experience. He began his career with Mesa Airlines as a line pilot on the Beechcraft 1900D. Ryan quickly ascended the flying ranks as an instructor pilot, line-check airman and FAA designated examiner while serving on the EMB-145 regional jet. In 2008, Ryan was asked to lead Mesa Air Group operation as the airline’s president and chief operating officer.

In 2010, he moved to Delta where he has held several key leadership roles. Ryan’s first role was at Comair as Vice President of Flight Operations, where he served as the company’s FAA designated part 119 director of operations. He was then promoted to serve as the President of Comair. In 2012, Ryan then transitioned to the Delta Private Jets division as the company’s Chief Operations Officer. When Delta acquired Endeavor Air in 2013, Ryan was asked to assume the role of CEO. Under his leadership, Endeavor became the gold standard regional partner for Delta, leading in performance, reliability and customer service.

In 2016, Ryan became Delta’s Vice President - Flight Operations, leading Delta’s technology, simulator, business strategy and contract administration programs. Since joining the OCC in 2021, Ryan continues to influence the execution of Delta’s flight operations safely and reliably. He is also a captain on the 757/767 aircraft, where he gets to fly and experience the frontline operation, his true passion. 

Ryan served as an enlisted service member in the United States Navy and holds a bachelor’s degree in Aeronautical Sciences from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. Ryan has a wealth of airline leadership experience from both inside and outside the flight deck.