Bloomberg Talks Delta CEO Ed Bastian Talks Travel Disruption
Nov 12, 2025
Ed Bastian, CEO of Delta Air Lines, shares his insights on travel disruptions caused by the government shutdown, resulting in over 2,000 flight cancellations. He emphasizes the impact on quarterly earnings but reassures travelers about a return to normalcy for the holiday season. Bastian discusses shifting booking behavior, noting a modest dip in reservations, alongside Delta's plans for international expansion and premium revenue sustainability. He also highlights advancements in technology and partnerships, envisioning a future with electric air taxis.
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Centennial Pride And Frontline Praise
- Ed Bastian celebrated Delta reaching its 100th centennial and praised frontline workers who worked unpaid during the shutdown.
- He said those essential workers are heroes who showed up every day despite not being paid.
Quick Recovery Once Paychecks Resume
- Ed Bastian expects operations to normalize within days once controllers and staff are paid.
- He noted recent weather and staffing issues caused most of the immediate delays and cancellations.
Short-Term Booking Slowdown
- Bookings fell about 5–10% as travelers paused plans amid cancellation uncertainty.
- Delta offered flexible refunds and expected customers to return once stability resumed.