The US giant made an adjusted pre-tax profit of $2.7 billion, a profit margin of 5.9%. Operating revenue was $45.6 billion, 2% below that of 2019 when the carrier reported profits of $6.2 billion.

Ed Bastian, Delta’s chief executive officer, said:  "As we move into 2023, the industry backdrop for air travel remains favourable and Delta is well positioned to deliver significant earnings and free cash flow growth.”

He added: “We expect to grow 2023 revenue by 15 to 20%.”

The carrier said it expected March quarter revenue to be 14 to 17% higher than 2019 on capacity 1% lower.

It said consumer demand “remains robust” with the December quarter up 7% versus 2019 and international passenger revenue up 5%.
 
Domestic corporate sales in the December quarter were 80% of 2019 levels. Premium revenue was up 13% percent in the December quarter versus 2019, eight points higher than economy cabin revenue growth.  

Delta’s performance earned its 90,000 staff $563 million in profit sharing.