Delta Air Lines fourth-quarter results topped analysts’ expectations as travel demand was strong during the crucial holiday period.

Delta Air Lines could see 2025 becoming the airline’s best financial year since its founding a century ago, fuelled by consumers’ appetite for travel and the growing number willing to shell out for premium seats, according to its chief executive Ed Bastian.

Delta Air Lines Inc. beat Wall Street’s profit estimates for the final months of 2024, buoyed by gains in international and corporate travel. The company says it expects strong demand to continue into the new year.

Delta Air Lines Inc.’s stock jumped 3.4% in premarket trade Friday, after the carrier beat fourth-quarter profit and revenue estimates and forecast a strong 2025 driven by demand for premium travel.

Delta Air Lines topped profit and revenue expectations in the fourth quarter on strong demand during the crucial holiday period. Delta said Friday that travel demand picked up throughout the quarter.

Delta Air Lines Inc. surpassed Wall Street's profit expectations for the fourth quarter, driven by robust international and corporate travel demand. CEO Ed Bastian cited a favorable supply-demand balance and strong demand visibility into spring 2025.