Delta Air Lines employees to get a 5% pay increase

Delta Air Lines made this announcement:

Eligible Delta employees have earned a 5% pay increase effective April 1, 2023 as the company continues to invest in the people who lead the industry in operational and customer care excellence. Delta CEO Ed Bastian announced the pay increase in a memo to employees Tuesday. This latest pay increase provides employees with a total 9% pay increase within the last year (4% in May 2022 and 5% in April 2023). 

“This well-earned increase is a direct result of your efforts,” said Delta CEO Ed Bastian in a memo to employees Tuesday. “Delta people are the best in the business, and thanks to your efforts, we’re well-positioned to take back the skies, and soar into the future together.” 

Employees across the board – from flight attendants to ground employees – anyone not otherwise covered by an industry, government, or collective bargaining agreement will receive the raise. 

The announcement of the pay increase comes just weeks after Delta employees learned they’d earned $563 million in profit sharing after their company reported strong earnings in 2022. On Feb. 14, also known as Employee Appreciation Day at Delta, employees will receive a profit-sharing payment that equates to 5.57% of their eligible 2022 earnings. 

This pay increase and Delta’s industry-leading profit-sharing program are just two of the many ways the airline acts on its commitment to sharing success with employees. 

  • Delta people earned a total of $61 million in our Shared Rewards program, tied to achieving internal operational goals. Delta kept that program intact throughout the pandemic while other airlines suspended theirs, allowing us to grant our employees an extra $2,250 between April 2020 and December 2022. 
  • Delta offers industry leading 401(k) contributions of up to 9%; fixed contributions of 3% plus matching contribution up to 6% (domestic mainline only; other programs apply internationally). 
  • Millions invested in enhanced health and wellbeing programs: 2023 kicks-off a year of the most significant enhancements to the airline’s wellbeing offerings in recent history. 
  • $1,000 contribution to an emergency savings plan offered to employees who complete a financial education and coaching program. 
  • Up to $2,500 in available incentives offered to employees and their families with Delta Health and Wellbeing Rewards, with more than $60 million paid out for 2022, a record amount. 

In the last 15 years, Delta delivered 12 base pay increases that add up to an average of 80% increase in base pay. Absent our COVID years, these increases have taken place about every year. In 2022, Delta employees received a 4% pay raise.