Filing Flows › Delta Air Lines (DAL) › Q3 2026
Delta Air Lines (DAL) Q3 2026 earnings results (third quarter 2026)
10-Q filed Oct 9, 2026
Delta Air Lines (DAL) reported revenue of $20.2B for the third quarter 2026 (Q3 2026), +21% from a year earlier and +2% from the quarter before. Operating margin was 7.2%, net earnings $756M (3.7% of revenue).
Delta Air Lines, Q3 2026: revenue $20.2B (+21% year over year), operating margin 7.2%, net earnings $756M, operating cash flow $1.7B. The chart follows the revenue to costs, profit and cash.
| Q3 2026 | Amount | Q/Q | Y/Y |
|---|---|---|---|
| Revenue | $20.2B | +2% | +21% |
| Operating profit | $1.5B | -22% | -14% |
| Net earnings | $756M | -53% | -47% |
| Operating cash flow | $1.7B | +7% | -7% |
| Free cash flow | $464M | — | -44% |
What changed
Revenue was $20.2B in Q3 2026, up 21% year over year and up 2% from the previous quarter. Passenger, Air Traffic was the largest line at 67% of revenue. Passenger, Air Traffic added $1.8B year over year (up 15%), 50% of the total change.
Operating profit was $1.5B, a 7.2% margin (down 2.9 points year over year). Operating profit fell $0.23B even though revenue rose $3.5B versus Q3 2025, so costs grew faster than sales. Total costs grew 25% against revenue growth of 21%. The fastest-growing cost line was Other operating costs (+26%). Net earnings were $0.76B, down 47% year over year. The effective tax rate was 29.6%.
Operating cash flow was $1.7B (down 7% year over year), 227% of net earnings. Non-cash charges added back $0.67B of depreciation and amortization. Working capital and other items added $0.28B. After net cash used in investing activities, net ($1.2B), free cash flow as the company reports it was $0.46B.
Questions
What was Delta Air Lines' revenue in the third quarter 2026?
Delta Air Lines (DAL) reported revenue of $20.2B for the third quarter 2026 (Q3 2026), +21% from a year earlier and +2% from the quarter before.
Was Delta Air Lines profitable in the third quarter 2026?
Operating profit was $1.5B (7.2% of revenue) and net earnings $756M.
Source: Delta Air Lines 10-Q on SEC EDGAR.