Bloomberg Surveillance · Monday, July 13, 2026
Delta CEO Ed Bastian reports that the US consumer, particularly at the higher end of the market, is doing well and investing in experiences like travel. He stated that Delta's business model is geared towards this resilient consumer, allowing the airline to maintain a nine percent operating margin even with elevated fuel prices.
“But broadly speaking, I think the consumer is doing well. Certainly the higher end consumers doing very very well. That's our consumer base. When you look at what's happening in the market. When you see what's happened in real estate, opportunities for that consumer to invest in themselves, invest in the experience economy.”
“So I think I think oil is going to stay sticky for longer. I'm not sure it's going to be incrude, though. I think the refined cost or crack spreads are where you're going to find. It's going to take a lot longer for that to come down.”