Calculation
| Net profit margin | = | 100 | × | Net income (loss)1 | ÷ | Operating revenue1 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 31, 2021 | 0.94% | = | 100 | × | 280) | ÷ | 29,899) |
| Dec 31, 2020 | -72.45% | = | 100 | × | (12,385) | ÷ | 17,095) |
| Dec 31, 2019 | 10.14% | = | 100 | × | 4,767) | ÷ | 47,007) |
| Dec 31, 2018 | 8.86% | = | 100 | × | 3,935) | ÷ | 44,438) |
| Dec 31, 2017 | 8.67% | = | 100 | × | 3,577) | ÷ | 41,244) |
| Dec 31, 2016 | 11.03% | = | 100 | × | 4,373) | ÷ | 39,639) |
| Dec 31, 2015 | 11.12% | = | 100 | × | 4,526) | ÷ | 40,704) |
| Dec 31, 2014 | 1.63% | = | 100 | × | 659) | ÷ | 40,362) |
| Dec 31, 2013 | 27.90% | = | 100 | × | 10,540) | ÷ | 37,773) |
| Dec 31, 2012 | 2.75% | = | 100 | × | 1,009) | ÷ | 36,670) |
| Dec 31, 2011 | 2.43% | = | 100 | × | 854) | ÷ | 35,115) |
| Dec 31, 2010 | 1.87% | = | 100 | × | 593) | ÷ | 31,755) |
| Dec 31, 2009 | -4.41% | = | 100 | × | (1,237) | ÷ | 28,063) |
| Dec 31, 2008 | -39.31% | = | 100 | × | (8,922) | ÷ | 22,697) |
| Dec 31, 2007 | 8.42% | = | 100 | × | 1,612) | ÷ | 19,154) |
Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2021-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2020-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2019-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2018-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2017-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2016-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2015-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2014-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2013-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2012-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2011-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2010-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2009-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2008-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2007-12-31).
1 US$ in millions
The financial performance of Delta Air Lines from 2007 to 2021 is characterized by extreme volatility, marked by periods of significant losses interrupted by intervals of steady growth and one exceptional peak in profitability. While operating revenue generally trended upward for over a decade, the net profit margin experienced severe fluctuations driven by external systemic shocks and internal financial anomalies.
- Early Volatility and Recovery (2007–2012)
- Following a positive net profit margin of 8.42% in 2007, a sharp decline occurred in 2008, with the margin falling to -39.31% and net losses reaching 8.922 billion USD. Profitability remained negative through 2009 at -4.41% before returning to positive territory in 2010. From 2010 to 2012, the net profit margin showed a gradual recovery, climbing from 1.87% to 2.75%.
- Peak Profitability and Stabilization (2013–2019)
- The year 2013 represents a significant outlier, with the net profit margin spiking to 27.90% and net income reaching 10.540 billion USD. Following a correction to 1.63% in 2014, the company entered a period of relative stability between 2015 and 2019. During this window, net profit margins remained consistently strong, fluctuating between 8.67% and 11.12%, while operating revenue grew steadily from 40.704 billion USD in 2015 to 47.007 billion USD in 2019.
- Pandemic Impact and Initial Recovery (2020–2021)
- A severe contraction is observed in 2020, where operating revenue plummeted from 47.007 billion USD to 17.095 billion USD. This resulted in a net loss of 12.385 billion USD and a net profit margin of -72.45%, the lowest point in the analyzed period. By 2021, a return to profitability was achieved with a net profit margin of 0.94%, supported by a recovery in operating revenue to 29.899 billion USD.
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Comparison to Competitors
| Delta Air Lines Inc. | FedEx Corp. | Uber Technologies Inc. | Union Pacific Corp. | United Airlines Holdings Inc. | United Parcel Service Inc. | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 31, 2021 | 0.94% | 6.23% | -2.84% | 29.92% | -7.97% | 13.25% |
| Dec 31, 2020 | -72.45% | 1.86% | -60.76% | 27.38% | -46.04% | 1.59% |
| Dec 31, 2019 | 10.14% | 0.77% | -60.13% | 27.27% | 6.96% | 5.99% |
| Dec 31, 2018 | 8.86% | 6.99% | — | 26.13% | 5.15% | 6.67% |
| Dec 31, 2017 | 8.67% | 4.97% | — | 50.43% | 5.65% | 7.45% |
| Dec 31, 2016 | 11.03% | 3.61% | — | 21.23% | 6.19% | 5.63% |
| Dec 31, 2015 | 11.12% | 2.21% | — | 21.88% | 19.39% | 8.30% |
| Dec 31, 2014 | 1.63% | 4.60% | — | 21.59% | 2.91% | 5.21% |
| Dec 31, 2013 | 27.90% | 3.52% | — | 19.98% | 1.49% | 7.89% |
| Dec 31, 2012 | 2.75% | 4.76% | — | 18.84% | -1.95% | 1.49% |
| Dec 31, 2011 | 2.43% | 3.69% | — | 16.83% | 2.26% | 7.16% |
| Dec 31, 2010 | 1.87% | 3.41% | — | 16.39% | 1.09% | 7.04% |
| Dec 31, 2009 | -4.41% | 0.28% | — | 13.42% | -3.99% | 4.75% |
| Dec 31, 2008 | -39.31% | 2.96% | — | 13.01% | -26.48% | 5.83% |
| Dec 31, 2007 | 8.42% | 5.72% | — | 11.39% | 2.00% | 0.77% |
Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2021-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2020-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2019-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2018-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2017-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2016-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2015-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2014-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2013-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2012-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2011-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2010-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2009-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2008-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2007-12-31).
Comparison to Sector (Transportation)
| Delta Air Lines Inc. | Transportation | |
|---|---|---|
| Dec 31, 2021 | 0.94% | 9.05% |
| Dec 31, 2020 | -72.45% | -2.93% |
| Dec 31, 2019 | 10.14% | 2.42% |
| Dec 31, 2018 | 8.86% | 8.67% |
| Dec 31, 2017 | 8.67% | 11.21% |
| Dec 31, 2016 | 11.03% | 7.00% |
| Dec 31, 2015 | 11.12% | 10.88% |
| Dec 31, 2014 | 1.63% | 6.86% |
| Dec 31, 2013 | 27.90% | 6.81% |
| Dec 31, 2012 | 2.75% | 3.91% |
| Dec 31, 2011 | 2.43% | 6.30% |
| Dec 31, 2010 | 1.87% | 6.19% |
| Dec 31, 2009 | -4.41% | 3.14% |
| Dec 31, 2008 | -39.31% | 0.88% |
| Dec 31, 2007 | 8.42% | 3.84% |
Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2021-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2020-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2019-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2018-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2017-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2016-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2015-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2014-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2013-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2012-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2011-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2010-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2009-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2008-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2007-12-31).
Comparison to Industry (Industrials)
| Delta Air Lines Inc. | Industrials | |
|---|---|---|
| Dec 31, 2021 | 0.94% | 5.85% |
| Dec 31, 2020 | -72.45% | 0.09% |
| Dec 31, 2019 | 10.14% | 4.11% |
| Dec 31, 2018 | 8.86% | 4.75% |
| Dec 31, 2017 | 8.67% | 5.79% |
| Dec 31, 2016 | 11.03% | 7.43% |
| Dec 31, 2015 | 11.12% | 6.48% |
| Dec 31, 2014 | 1.63% | 8.76% |
| Dec 31, 2013 | 27.90% | 8.23% |
| Dec 31, 2012 | 2.75% | 7.39% |
| Dec 31, 2011 | 2.43% | 8.26% |
| Dec 31, 2010 | 1.87% | 7.48% |
| Dec 31, 2009 | -4.41% | 5.76% |
| Dec 31, 2008 | -39.31% | 7.27% |
| Dec 31, 2007 | 8.42% | 9.56% |
Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2021-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2020-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2019-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2018-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2017-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2016-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2015-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2014-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2013-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2012-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2011-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2010-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2009-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2008-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2007-12-31).