--- ticker: DAL company: Delta Air Lines Inc. filing_type: 10-K year_current: 2025 year_prior: 2024 risks_added: 0 risks_removed: 0 risks_modified: 11 risks_unchanged: 11 source: SEC EDGAR url: https://riskdiff.com/dal/2025-vs-2024/ markdown_url: https://riskdiff.com/dal/2025-vs-2024/index.md generated: 2026-05-10 --- # Delta Air Lines Inc.: 10-K Risk Factor Changes 2025 vs 2024 > Source: U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (EDGAR) > Generated: 2026-05-10 > All data extracted directly from official filings. No hallucinated content. > **[AI-Generated Summary]** The paragraph below was produced by a language > model and may contain errors. All other content on this page is deterministically > extracted from the original SEC filing. > Delta modified 11 of 22 risk factors in its 2025 10-K without adding or removing any risks, indicating refinements to existing disclosures rather than new threat categories. Substantive changes affected competitive positioning, pandemic-related vulnerabilities, and cybersecurity exposures, suggesting Delta revised risk language to reflect current market conditions and operational realities. --- ## Summary | Status | Count | |--------|-------| | New risks added | 0 | | Risks removed | 0 | | Risks modified | 11 | | Unchanged | 11 | --- ## Modified: The global airline industry is highly competitive and, if we cannot successfully compete in the marketplace, our business, financial condition and results of operations will be materially adversely affected. **Key changes:** - Reworded sentence: "| 2024 Form 10-K23 Delta Air Lines, Inc." **Prior (2024):** The airline industry is highly competitive, marked by significant competition with respect to routes, fares, schedules (both timing and frequency), operational reliability, services, products, customer service and loyalty programs. Consolidation in the airline industry, changes in international alliances, the creation of immunized joint ventures and the rise of subsidized government-sponsored international carriers have altered and will continue to alter the competitive landscape in the industry, resulting in the formation of airlines and alliances with increased financial resources, more extensive global networks and competitive cost structures. Delta Air Lines, Inc. | 2023 Form 10-K 23 Delta Air Lines, Inc. | 2023 Form 10-K 23 Delta Air Lines, Inc. | 2023 Form 10-K 23 Delta Air Lines, Inc. | 2023 Form 10-K 23 Delta Air Lines, Inc. | 2023 Form 10-K 23 Delta Air Lines, Inc. | 2023 Form 10-K 23 Item 1A. Risk Factors Item 1A. Risk Factors Item 1A. Risk Factors Our domestic operations are subject to significant competition from traditional network carriers, including American Airlines and United Airlines, national point-to-point carriers, including Alaska Airlines, JetBlue Airways and Southwest Airlines, and other discount or ultra-low-cost carriers, including Allegiant Air, Avelo Airlines, Breeze Airways, Frontier Airlines and Spirit Airlines. Some of these carriers have business models primarily focused on maintaining low costs, with the intention of providing service at lower fares to destinations served by Delta. In particular, we face significant competition at our domestic hubs and key airports either directly at those airports or at the hubs of other airlines that are located in close proximity. We also face competition in small- to medium-sized markets from regional jet operations of other carriers. Our ability to compete in the domestic market effectively depends, in part, on our ability to maintain a competitive cost structure. If we cannot maintain our costs at a competitive level, then our business, financial condition and results of operations could be materially adversely affected. Our international operations are subject to competition from both foreign and domestic carriers, including from point-to-point carriers on certain international routes. Through alliance and other marketing and codesharing agreements with foreign carriers, U.S. carriers have increased their ability to sell international transportation, such as services to and beyond traditional European, Asian and Latin American gateway cities. Similarly, foreign carriers have obtained increased access to interior U.S. passenger traffic beyond traditional U.S. gateway cities through these relationships. In particular, several joint ventures among U.S. and foreign carriers, including several of our joint ventures as well as those of our competitors, have received grants of antitrust immunity allowing the participating carriers to coordinate networks, schedules, pricing, sales and inventory. In addition, alliances formed by domestic and foreign carriers, including SkyTeam, the Star Alliance (among United Airlines, Lufthansa German Airlines, Air Canada and others) and the oneworld alliance (among American Airlines, British Airways, Qantas and others) have enhanced competition in international markets. The airline industry also faces competition from surface transportation and technological alternatives such as virtual meetings, teleconferencing or videoconferencing. Increased competition from these sectors in both the domestic and international markets may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. **Current (2025):** The airline industry is highly competitive, marked by significant competition with respect to routes, fares, schedules (both timing and frequency), operational reliability, services, products, customer service and loyalty programs. Consolidation in the airline industry, changes in international alliances, the creation of immunized joint ventures and the rise of subsidized government-sponsored international carriers have altered and will continue to alter the competitive landscape in the industry, resulting in the formation of airlines and alliances with increased financial resources, more extensive global networks and competitive cost structures. Delta Air Lines, Inc. | 2024 Form 10-K23 Delta Air Lines, Inc. | 2024 Form 10-K23 Delta Air Lines, Inc. | 2024 Form 10-K23 Delta Air Lines, Inc. | 2024 Form 10-K 23 Delta Air Lines, Inc. | 2024 Form 10-K23 Delta Air Lines, Inc. | 2024 Form 10-K23 Delta Air Lines, Inc. | 2024 Form 10-K 23 Delta Air Lines, Inc. | 2024 Form 10-K23 Delta Air Lines, Inc. | 2024 Form 10-K 23 Delta Air Lines, Inc. | 2024 Form 10-K 23 Item 1A. Risk Factors Item 1A. Risk Factors Item 1A. Risk Factors Our domestic operations are subject to significant competition from traditional network carriers, including American Airlines and United Airlines, national point-to-point carriers, including Alaska Airlines, JetBlue Airways and Southwest Airlines, and other discount or ultra-low-cost carriers, including Allegiant Air, Avelo Airlines, Breeze Airways, Frontier Airlines and Spirit Airlines. Some of these carriers have business models primarily focused on maintaining low costs, with the intention of providing service at lower fares to destinations served by Delta. In particular, we face significant competition at our domestic hubs and key airports either directly at those airports or at the hubs of other airlines that are located in close proximity. We also face competition in small- to medium-sized markets from regional jet operations of other carriers. Our ability to compete in the domestic market effectively depends, in part, on our ability to maintain a competitive cost structure. If we cannot maintain our costs at a competitive level, then our business, financial condition and results of operations could be materially adversely affected. Our international operations are subject to competition from both foreign and domestic carriers, including from point-to-point carriers on certain international routes. Through alliance and other marketing and codesharing agreements with foreign carriers, U.S. carriers have increased their ability to sell international transportation, such as services to and beyond traditional European, Asian and Latin American gateway cities. Similarly, foreign carriers have obtained increased access to interior U.S. passenger traffic beyond traditional U.S. gateway cities through these relationships. In particular, several joint ventures among U.S. and foreign carriers, including several of our joint ventures as well as those of our competitors, have received grants of antitrust immunity allowing the participating carriers to coordinate networks, schedules, pricing, sales and inventory. In addition, alliances formed by domestic and foreign carriers, including SkyTeam, the Star Alliance (among United Airlines, Lufthansa German Airlines, Air Canada and others) and the oneworld alliance (among American Airlines, British Airways, Qantas and others) have enhanced competition in international markets. The airline industry also faces competition from surface transportation and technological alternatives such as virtual meetings, teleconferencing or videoconferencing. Increased competition from these sectors in both the domestic and international markets may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. --- ## Modified: Disease outbreaks or other public health threats, and measures implemented to combat them have had, and may in the future have, a material adverse effect on our business. **Key changes:** - Reworded sentence: "The measures governments and private parties implemented in order to stem the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the general concern about the virus among travelers, had a material adverse effect on the demand for worldwide air travel compared to historical levels, and consequently upon our business for an extended period." **Prior (2024):** The COVID-19 pandemic, the measures governments and private parties implemented in order to stem its spread, and the general concern about the virus among travelers had a material adverse effect on the demand for worldwide air travel compared to historical levels, and consequently upon our business for an extended period. Similar disease outbreaks or public health threats that may arise in the future could have similarly adverse effects on our business. Our operations were, and could in the future be, negatively affected further if our employees are quarantined or sickened as a result of exposure to a disease outbreak, or as a result of a similar public health crisis, or if they are subject to additional governmental curfews or "shelter in place" health orders or similar restrictions. Measures restricting the ability of our airport or in-flight employees to come to work negatively impact our service or operations, all of which could negatively affect our business. We are unable to predict the extent to which disease outbreaks or other public health threats that may arise in the future may change our customers' behavior or travel patterns, which could have a material impact on our business. The degree to which any future disease outbreaks or public health threats may impact our revenues, results of operations and financial condition is uncertain and will depend on future developments. **Current (2025):** The measures governments and private parties implemented in order to stem the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the general concern about the virus among travelers, had a material adverse effect on the demand for worldwide air travel compared to historical levels, and consequently upon our business for an extended period. Similar disease outbreaks or public health threats that may arise in the future could have similarly adverse effects on our business. Our operations were, and could in the future be, negatively affected further if our employees are quarantined or sickened as a result of exposure to a disease outbreak, or as a result of a similar public health crisis, or if they are subject to additional governmental curfews or "shelter in place" health orders or similar restrictions. Measures restricting the ability of our airport or in-flight employees to come to work negatively impact our service or operations, all of which could negatively affect our business. We are unable to predict the extent to which disease outbreaks or other public health threats that may arise in the future may change our customers' behavior or travel patterns, which could have a material impact on our business. The degree to which any future disease outbreaks or public health threats may impact our revenues, results of operations and financial condition is uncertain and will depend on future developments. --- ## Modified: Breaches or lapses in the security of the technology systems we use and rely on could compromise the data stored within them and consequently expose us to liability, disruption to our operations and damage to our reputation, any or all of which could have a material adverse effect on our business. **Key changes:** - Reworded sentence: "As a regular part of our ordinary business operations, we process a high volume of information, including personal information about individuals we have a relationship with and other sensitive business information." - Reworded sentence: "As a result of these types of risks and regular attacks on our systems, we review and update procedures and processes to prevent and protect against unauthorized access to our systems and information and inadvertent misuse of data." - Reworded sentence: "The compromise of our or our business partners' or third-party service providers' technology systems could result in legal claims or proceedings, liability, fines or other regulatory enforcement actions, disruption to our operations and damage to our reputation, any or all of which could adversely affect our business." - Reworded sentence: "| 2024 Form 10-K17 Delta Air Lines, Inc." **Prior (2024):** As a regular part of our ordinary business operations, we collect and store sensitive data, including information necessary for our operations, personal information of our passengers and employees and information of our business partners. The secure operation of our networks and systems, and those of our business partners and third-party service providers, on which this type of information is stored, processed and maintained is critical to our business operations and strategy. These networks and systems are subject to an increasing threat of continually evolving cybersecurity risks, which we must manage. We expect unauthorized parties to continue attempting to gain access to our systems or information, or those of our business partners and third-party service providers, including through fraud or other means of deception, or introduction of malicious code, such as malware and ransomware. If successful, these actions could cause harm to our computer systems or compromise data stored on our computer networks or those of our business partners and third-party service providers, potentially causing us to incur remedial, legal and other costs, which could be material. Hardware or software we or our business partners or third-party service providers develop, acquire or use in connection with our systems may contain defects that could unexpectedly compromise information security. The methods used to obtain unauthorized access, disable or degrade service or sabotage systems are constantly evolving and may be difficult to anticipate or to detect for long periods of time. As a result of these types of risks and regular attacks on our systems, we regularly review and update procedures and processes to prevent and protect against unauthorized access to our systems and information and inadvertent misuse of data. In addition to continuously assessing risk and reviewing our procedures, processes and technologies, we continue to educate our employees about these risks and to monitor, review and update the process and control requirements we expect third parties and vendors to leverage and implement for the protection of information regarding our customers, employees or business partners that is in their care. However, the constantly changing nature of the threats means that we may not be able to prevent all information security breaches or misuse of data. In addition, as cybercriminals become more sophisticated, the cost of proactive defensive measures continues to increase. We are also subject to evolving global privacy and security regulatory obligations and an increasing customer focus on privacy issues and data security in the United States and abroad, as well as to geopolitical risks associated with international data transfer. The compromise of our or our business partners' or third-party service providers' technology systems resulting in the loss, interruption, disclosure, misappropriation of, or access to, our information or that of our customers, employees or business partners could result in legal claims or proceedings, liability or regulatory penalties under laws protecting the privacy and security of personal information, disruption to our operations and damage to our reputation, any or all of which could adversely affect our business. The costs to remediate breaches and similar system compromises that do occur could be material. Delta Air Lines, Inc. | 2023 Form 10-K 17 Delta Air Lines, Inc. | 2023 Form 10-K 17 Delta Air Lines, Inc. | 2023 Form 10-K 17 Delta Air Lines, Inc. | 2023 Form 10-K 17 Delta Air Lines, Inc. | 2023 Form 10-K 17 Delta Air Lines, Inc. | 2023 Form 10-K 17 Item 1A. Risk Factors Item 1A. Risk Factors Item 1A. Risk Factors **Current (2025):** As a regular part of our ordinary business operations, we process a high volume of information, including personal information about individuals we have a relationship with and other sensitive business information. The secure operation of our networks and systems, and those of our business partners and third-party service providers, on which this type of information is processed is critical to our business operations and strategy. These networks and systems are subject to an increasing threat of continually evolving cybersecurity risks, which we must manage. We expect unauthorized parties to continue attempting to gain access to our systems or information, or those of our business partners and third-party service providers, including through fraud or other means of deception, or introduction of malicious code, such as malware and ransomware. If successful, these actions could cause harm to our computer systems or compromise data stored on our computer networks or those of our business partners and third-party service providers, potentially causing us to incur remedial, legal and other costs, which could be material. Hardware or software we or our business partners or third-party service providers develop, acquire or use in connection with our systems may contain defects that could unexpectedly compromise information security. The methods used to obtain unauthorized access, disable or degrade service or sabotage systems are constantly evolving and may be difficult to anticipate or to detect for long periods of time. As a result of these types of risks and regular attacks on our systems, we review and update procedures and processes to prevent and protect against unauthorized access to our systems and information and inadvertent misuse of data. In addition to assessing risk and reviewing our procedures, processes and technologies, we continue to educate our employees and contractors about these risks and to monitor, review and update the process and control requirements we expect third parties and vendors to leverage and implement for the protection of Delta information in their care. However, the constantly changing nature of the threats means that we may not be able to prevent all information security breaches or misuse of data. In addition, as cybercriminals become more sophisticated, the cost of proactive defensive measures continues to increase. We are also subject to evolving global privacy and security regulatory obligations and an increasing customer focus on privacy issues and data security in the United States and abroad, as well as to geopolitical risks associated with international data transfer. The compromise of our or our business partners' or third-party service providers' technology systems could result in legal claims or proceedings, liability, fines or other regulatory enforcement actions, disruption to our operations and damage to our reputation, any or all of which could adversely affect our business. The costs to remediate these incidents could be material. Delta Air Lines, Inc. | 2024 Form 10-K17 Delta Air Lines, Inc. | 2024 Form 10-K17 Delta Air Lines, Inc. | 2024 Form 10-K17 Delta Air Lines, Inc. | 2024 Form 10-K 17 Delta Air Lines, Inc. | 2024 Form 10-K17 Delta Air Lines, Inc. | 2024 Form 10-K17 Delta Air Lines, Inc. | 2024 Form 10-K 17 Delta Air Lines, Inc. | 2024 Form 10-K17 Delta Air Lines, Inc. | 2024 Form 10-K 17 Delta Air Lines, Inc. | 2024 Form 10-K 17 Item 1A. Risk Factors Item 1A. Risk Factors Item 1A. Risk Factors --- ## Modified: Significant damage to our reputation and brand, including as a result of significant adverse publicity or inability to achieve certain sustainability goals, could materially adversely affect our business and financial results. **Key changes:** - Reworded sentence: "| 2024 Form 10-K21 Delta Air Lines, Inc." - Reworded sentence: "Risk Factors Our reputation and brand could also be adversely impacted by, among other things, failure to make progress toward and achieve our environmental sustainability goals, as well as public pressure from investors or policy groups to change our policies or negative public perception of the environmental impact of air travel." **Prior (2024):** Maintaining our reputation and global brand is critical to our business. We operate in a highly visible and public environment with significant real-time exposure to traditional and social media. Adverse publicity, whether justified or not, can rapidly spread, including through social or digital media. In particular, passengers can use social media to portray interactions with Delta, without context, in a manner that can be quickly and broadly disseminated. To the extent we are unable to respond in a timely and appropriate manner to adverse publicity, our brand and reputation may be damaged. Delta Air Lines, Inc. | 2023 Form 10-K 21 Delta Air Lines, Inc. | 2023 Form 10-K 21 Delta Air Lines, Inc. | 2023 Form 10-K 21 Delta Air Lines, Inc. | 2023 Form 10-K 21 Delta Air Lines, Inc. | 2023 Form 10-K 21 Delta Air Lines, Inc. | 2023 Form 10-K 21 Item 1A. Risk Factors Item 1A. Risk Factors Item 1A. Risk Factors Our reputation and brand could also be adversely impacted by, among other things, failure to make progress toward and achieve our environmental sustainability and diversity, equity and inclusion goals, as well as public pressure from investors or policy groups to change our policies or negative public perception of the environmental impact of air travel. For example, we have established ambitious goals to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions. Achieving these ambitious goals will require significant capital investment from manufacturers and other stakeholders, as we are unable to achieve these goals using our existing fleet, current technologies and available fuel sources. We are continuing to develop our climate strategy and transition plan; however, our ability to execute on such a plan is subject to substantial risks and uncertainties, as it is dependent on the actions of governments and third parties and will require, among other things, significant capital investment, including from third parties, research and development from manufacturers and other stakeholders, along with government policies and incentives to reduce the cost, and incent production, of SAF and other technologies that are not presently in existence or available at scale. Significant damage to our reputation and brand could have a material adverse effect on our business and financial results, including as a result of litigation related to any of these matters. **Current (2025):** Maintaining our reputation and global brand is critical to our business. We operate in a highly visible and public environment with significant real-time exposure to traditional and social media. Adverse publicity, whether justified or not, can rapidly spread, including through social or digital media. In particular, passengers can use social media to portray interactions with Delta, without context, in a manner that can be quickly and broadly disseminated. To the extent we are unable to respond in a timely and appropriate manner to adverse publicity, our brand and reputation may be damaged. Delta Air Lines, Inc. | 2024 Form 10-K21 Delta Air Lines, Inc. | 2024 Form 10-K21 Delta Air Lines, Inc. | 2024 Form 10-K21 Delta Air Lines, Inc. | 2024 Form 10-K 21 Delta Air Lines, Inc. | 2024 Form 10-K21 Delta Air Lines, Inc. | 2024 Form 10-K21 Delta Air Lines, Inc. | 2024 Form 10-K 21 Delta Air Lines, Inc. | 2024 Form 10-K21 Delta Air Lines, Inc. | 2024 Form 10-K 21 Delta Air Lines, Inc. | 2024 Form 10-K 21 Item 1A. Risk Factors Item 1A. Risk Factors Item 1A. Risk Factors Our reputation and brand could also be adversely impacted by, among other things, failure to make progress toward and achieve our environmental sustainability goals, as well as public pressure from investors or policy groups to change our policies or negative public perception of the environmental impact of air travel. For example, we have established ambitious goals to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions. Achieving these ambitious goals will require significant capital investment from manufacturers and other stakeholders, as we are unable to achieve these goals using our existing fleet, current technologies and available fuel sources. We are continuing to develop our climate strategy and transition plan; however, our ability to execute on such a plan is subject to substantial risks and uncertainties, as it is dependent on the actions of governments and third parties and will require, among other things, significant capital investment, including from third parties, research and development from manufacturers and other stakeholders, along with government policies and incentives to reduce the cost, and incent production, of SAF and other technologies that are not presently in existence or available at scale. Significant damage to our reputation and brand could have a material adverse effect on our business and financial results, including as a result of litigation related to any of these matters. --- ## Modified: The airline industry is subject to extensive regulatory and legal compliance requirements, which is costly and could materially adversely affect our business. **Key changes:** - Reworded sentence: "There have also been recent legal developments in the United States that may change the way historical obligations have been interpreted or applied." - Removed sentence: "Other laws, regulations, taxes and airport rates and charges have also been imposed from time to time that significantly increase the cost of airline operations, reduce revenues or otherwise impact our business." - Removed sentence: "The industry is heavily taxed." - Removed sentence: "Additional taxes and fees, if implemented, could negatively impact our results of operations." - Reworded sentence: "| 2024 Form 10-K24 Delta Air Lines, Inc." **Prior (2024):** Airlines are subject to extensive regulatory and legal compliance requirements that result in significant costs and may have material adverse effects on our business. For instance, the FAA from time to time issues directives and other regulations relating to the maintenance and operation of aircraft that necessitate significant expenditures and could carry operational implications. We expect to continue incurring significant expenses to comply with the FAA's regulations. In addition, a directive or other regulation that has a significant operational impact on us could have a material adverse impact on our financial results. Other laws, regulations, taxes and airport rates and charges have also been imposed from time to time that significantly increase the cost of airline operations, reduce revenues or otherwise impact our business. The industry is heavily taxed. Additional taxes and fees, if implemented, could negatively impact our results of operations. Delta Air Lines, Inc. | 2023 Form 10-K 24 Delta Air Lines, Inc. | 2023 Form 10-K 24 Delta Air Lines, Inc. | 2023 Form 10-K 24 Delta Air Lines, Inc. | 2023 Form 10-K 24 Delta Air Lines, Inc. | 2023 Form 10-K 24 Delta Air Lines, Inc. | 2023 Form 10-K 24 Item 1A. Risk Factors Item 1A. Risk Factors Item 1A. Risk Factors Airport slot access is subject to government regulation and changes in slot regulations or allocations could impose a significant cost on the airlines operating in airports subject to such regulations or allocations or otherwise adversely affect an airline's business. Certain of our hubs are among the most congested airports in the United States and have been, and could in the future be, the subject of regulatory action that might limit the number of flights and/or increase costs of operations at certain times or throughout the day. Air traffic control inefficiencies can also enhance these pressures. In addition, inefficiencies in the U.S. air traffic control system, which is regulated by the FAA, can result in delays and disruptions of air traffic, especially during peak travel periods in certain congested markets. Failure to implement measures to improve the air traffic control system could lead to increased delays and inefficiencies in flight operations as demand for U.S. air travel increases, having a material adverse effect on our operations. Failure to update the air traffic control system in a timely manner, and the substantial funding requirements of an updated system that may be imposed on air carriers, may have an adverse impact on our financial condition and results of operations. As an international carrier, we are subject to a wide variety of U.S. and foreign laws that affect trade, including tariff and trade policies, export and import requirements, taxes, monetary policies and other restrictions and charges. In particular, the imposition of significant tariffs with respect to aircraft that we are not able to mitigate could substantially increase our costs, which in turn could have a material adverse effect on our financial results. In addition, some of our operations are in high-risk legal compliance environments. Failure to comply with trade sanctions and restrictions, the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (the "FCPA") and similar anti-bribery laws in non-U.S. jurisdictions, as well as other applicable laws or regulations could result in litigation, assessment of damages, imposition of penalties or other consequences, any or all of which could harm our reputation and have an adverse effect on our financial results. In certain circumstances, we also may be subject to consequences of the failure of our airline partners to comply with laws and regulations, including U.S. laws to which they may be subject such as the FCPA. We and other U.S. carriers are subject to U.S. and foreign laws regarding privacy and security of passenger and employee data that are not consistent in all countries in which we operate and which are continuously evolving, requiring ongoing monitoring and updates to our privacy and information security programs. Although we dedicate significant resources to manage compliance with global privacy and information security obligations, this challenging regulatory environment may pose material risks to our business, including increased operational burdens and costs, regulatory enforcement, and legal claims or proceedings. **Current (2025):** Airlines are subject to extensive regulatory and legal compliance requirements that result in significant costs and may have material adverse effects on our business. There have also been recent legal developments in the United States that may change the way historical obligations have been interpreted or applied. The FAA from time to time issues directives and other regulations relating to the maintenance and operation of aircraft that necessitate significant expenditures and could carry operational implications. We expect to continue incurring significant expenses to comply with the FAA's regulations. In addition, a directive or other regulation that has a significant operational impact on us could have a material adverse impact on our financial results. Delta Air Lines, Inc. | 2024 Form 10-K24 Delta Air Lines, Inc. | 2024 Form 10-K24 Delta Air Lines, Inc. | 2024 Form 10-K24 Delta Air Lines, Inc. | 2024 Form 10-K 24 Delta Air Lines, Inc. | 2024 Form 10-K24 Delta Air Lines, Inc. | 2024 Form 10-K24 Delta Air Lines, Inc. | 2024 Form 10-K 24 Delta Air Lines, Inc. | 2024 Form 10-K24 Delta Air Lines, Inc. | 2024 Form 10-K 24 Delta Air Lines, Inc. | 2024 Form 10-K 24 Item 1A. Risk Factors Item 1A. Risk Factors Item 1A. Risk Factors Inefficiencies in the U.S. air traffic control system, which is regulated by the FAA, can result in delays and disruptions of air traffic, especially during peak travel periods in certain congested markets. Failure to implement measures to improve the air traffic control system could lead to increased delays and inefficiencies in flight operations as demand for U.S. air travel increases, having a material adverse effect on our operations. Failure to update the air traffic control system in a timely manner, and the substantial funding requirements of an updated system that may be imposed on air carriers, may have an adverse impact on our financial condition and results of operations. Airport slot access is subject to government regulation and changes in slot regulations or allocations could impose a significant cost on the airlines operating in airports subject to such regulations or allocations or otherwise adversely affect an airline's business. Certain of our hubs are among the most congested airports in the United States and have been, and could in the future be, the subject of regulatory action that might limit the number of flights and/or increase costs of operations at certain times or throughout the day. Air traffic control inefficiencies can also enhance these pressures. Other laws, regulations, taxes and airport rates and charges have also been imposed from time to time that significantly increase the cost of airline operations, reduce revenues or otherwise impact our business. The industry is heavily taxed. Additional taxes and fees, if implemented, could negatively impact our results of operations. As an international carrier, we are subject to a wide variety of U.S. and foreign laws that affect trade, including tariff and trade policies, export and import requirements, taxes, monetary policies and other restrictions and charges. In particular, the imposition of significant tariffs with respect to aircraft that we are not able to mitigate could substantially increase our costs, which in turn could have a material adverse effect on our financial results. Some of our operations are in high-risk legal compliance environments. Failure to comply with trade sanctions and restrictions, the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (the "FCPA") and similar anti-bribery laws in non-U.S. jurisdictions, as well as other applicable laws or regulations could result in litigation, assessment of damages, imposition of penalties or other consequences, any or all of which could harm our reputation and have an adverse effect on our financial results. In certain circumstances, we also may be subject to consequences of the failure of our airline partners to comply with laws and regulations, including U.S. laws to which they may be subject such as the FCPA. We and other U.S. carriers are subject to U.S. and foreign data privacy and security laws that are not consistent in all countries in which we operate and which are continuously evolving, requiring ongoing monitoring and updates to our privacy and information security programs. Although we dedicate significant resources to manage compliance with global privacy and information security obligations, this challenging regulatory environment may pose material risks to our business, including increased operational burdens and costs, regulatory enforcement, and legal claims or proceedings. --- ## Modified: Significant extended disruptions in the supply of aircraft fuel, including from Monroe, could have a material adverse effect on our business and results of operations. **Key changes:** - Reworded sentence: "Weather-related events, natural disasters, political disruptions or disputes involving oil-producing countries, changes in governmental policy concerning aircraft fuel production, transportation or taxes, changes in refining capacity or refining priorities, environmental concerns and other unpredictable events may impact crude oil and jet fuel supply and could result in shortages in the future." - Reworded sentence: "Unplanned disruptions or interruptions of production at the refinery could have a negative impact on our ability to acquire jet fuel needed for our operations." **Prior (2024):** Weather-related events, natural disasters, political disruptions or disputes involving oil-producing countries, changes in governmental policy concerning aircraft fuel production, transportation or taxes, changes in refining capacity or refining priorities, environmental concerns and other unpredictable events may impact crude oil and fuel supply and could result in shortages in the future. Shortages in fuel supplies could have negative effects on our business and results of operations. Delta Air Lines, Inc. | 2023 Form 10-K 18 Delta Air Lines, Inc. | 2023 Form 10-K 18 Delta Air Lines, Inc. | 2023 Form 10-K 18 Delta Air Lines, Inc. | 2023 Form 10-K 18 Delta Air Lines, Inc. | 2023 Form 10-K 18 Delta Air Lines, Inc. | 2023 Form 10-K 18 Item 1A. Risk Factors Item 1A. Risk Factors Item 1A. Risk Factors Unplanned disruptions or interruptions of production at the refinery could have a negative impact on our ability to acquire jet fuel needed for our operations. Disruptions or interruptions of production at the refinery could result from various sources including a major accident or mechanical failure, interruption of supply or delivery of crude oil, work stoppages relating to organized labor issues, or damage from severe weather or other natural or man-made disasters, including acts of terrorism. If the refinery were to experience an unexpected interruption in operations, disruptions in fuel supplies could have negative effects on our results of operations and financial condition. In addition, the financial benefits from the operation of the refinery could be materially adversely affected (to the extent not recoverable through insurance) because of lost production and repair costs. If Monroe's cost of producing non-jet fuel products significantly exceeds the value it receives for those products, the financial benefits we expect to achieve through the ownership of the refinery and our consolidated results of operations could be materially adversely affected. **Current (2025):** Weather-related events, natural disasters, political disruptions or disputes involving oil-producing countries, changes in governmental policy concerning aircraft fuel production, transportation or taxes, changes in refining capacity or refining priorities, environmental concerns and other unpredictable events may impact crude oil and jet fuel supply and could result in shortages in the future. Shortages in fuel supplies could have negative effects on our business and results of operations. Unplanned disruptions or interruptions of production at the refinery could have a negative impact on our ability to acquire jet fuel needed for our operations. Disruptions or interruptions of production at the refinery could result from various sources including a major accident or mechanical failure, interruption of supply or delivery of crude oil, work stoppages relating to organized labor issues, or damage from severe weather or other natural or man-made disasters, including acts of terrorism. If the refinery were to experience an unexpected interruption in operations, disruptions in fuel supplies could have negative effects on our results of operations and financial condition. In addition, the financial benefits from the operation of the refinery could be materially adversely affected (to the extent not recoverable through insurance) because of lost production and repair costs. If Monroe's cost of producing non-jet fuel products significantly exceeds the value it receives for those products, the financial benefits we expect to achieve through the ownership of the refinery and our consolidated results of operations could be materially adversely affected. --- ## Modified: If we lose senior management and other key employees and they are not replaced by individuals with comparable skills, or we otherwise fail to maintain our company culture, our business and results of operations could be materially adversely affected. **Key changes:** - Reworded sentence: "| 2024 Form 10-K22 Delta Air Lines, Inc." **Prior (2024):** We are dependent on the experience and industry knowledge of our officers and other key employees to design and execute our business plans. If we experience a substantial turnover in our leadership and other key employees and we are not able to replace these persons with individuals with comparable skills, or we otherwise fail to maintain our company culture, our performance could be materially adversely impacted. Furthermore, we may be unable to attract and retain additional qualified senior management and other key personnel as needed in the future. Delta Air Lines, Inc. | 2023 Form 10-K 22 Delta Air Lines, Inc. | 2023 Form 10-K 22 Delta Air Lines, Inc. | 2023 Form 10-K 22 Delta Air Lines, Inc. | 2023 Form 10-K 22 Delta Air Lines, Inc. | 2023 Form 10-K 22 Delta Air Lines, Inc. | 2023 Form 10-K 22 Item 1A. Risk Factors Item 1A. Risk Factors Item 1A. Risk Factors **Current (2025):** We are dependent on the experience and industry knowledge of our officers and other key employees to design and execute our business plans. If we experience a substantial turnover in our leadership and other key employees and we are not able to replace these persons with individuals with comparable skills, or we otherwise fail to maintain our company culture, our performance could be materially adversely impacted. Furthermore, we may be unable to attract and retain additional qualified senior management and other key personnel as needed in the future. Delta Air Lines, Inc. | 2024 Form 10-K22 Delta Air Lines, Inc. | 2024 Form 10-K22 Delta Air Lines, Inc. | 2024 Form 10-K22 Delta Air Lines, Inc. | 2024 Form 10-K 22 Delta Air Lines, Inc. | 2024 Form 10-K22 Delta Air Lines, Inc. | 2024 Form 10-K22 Delta Air Lines, Inc. | 2024 Form 10-K 22 Delta Air Lines, Inc. | 2024 Form 10-K22 Delta Air Lines, Inc. | 2024 Form 10-K 22 Delta Air Lines, Inc. | 2024 Form 10-K 22 Item 1A. Risk Factors Item 1A. Risk Factors Item 1A. Risk Factors --- ## Modified: Our results can fluctuate due to seasonality and other factors. **Key changes:** - Reworded sentence: "| 2024 Form 10-K20 Delta Air Lines, Inc." **Prior (2024):** Our results of operations are impacted by a number of factors including seasonality and changing economic and other conditions beyond our control. Demand for air travel is typically higher in the June and September quarters, particularly in our international markets, because there is more vacation travel during these periods than during the remainder of the year. The seasonal shifting of demand causes our financial results to vary on a quarterly basis. Changes in the value of our equity investments in other airlines and airline service companies can also be significant and cause fluctuations in our results. Other factors that may affect our results include severe weather conditions and natural disasters (or other environmental events), which could significantly disrupt service and create air traffic control problems. In addition, increases in the frequency, severity or duration of thunderstorms, hurricanes, typhoons, floods or other severe weather events, including from changes in the global climate and rising global temperatures, could result in increases in delays and cancellations, turbulence-related injuries and fuel consumption to avoid such weather, any of which could result in loss of revenue and higher costs. Because of fluctuations in our results from seasonality and other factors, results of operations for a historical period are not necessarily indicative of results of operations for a future period and results of operations for an interim period are not necessarily indicative of results of operations for an entire year. Delta Air Lines, Inc. | 2023 Form 10-K 20 Delta Air Lines, Inc. | 2023 Form 10-K 20 Delta Air Lines, Inc. | 2023 Form 10-K 20 Delta Air Lines, Inc. | 2023 Form 10-K 20 Delta Air Lines, Inc. | 2023 Form 10-K 20 Delta Air Lines, Inc. | 2023 Form 10-K 20 Item 1A. Risk Factors Item 1A. Risk Factors Item 1A. Risk Factors **Current (2025):** Our results of operations are impacted by a number of factors including seasonality and changing economic and other conditions beyond our control. Demand for air travel is typically higher in the June and September quarters, particularly in our international markets, because there is more vacation travel during these periods than during the remainder of the year. The seasonal shifting of demand causes our financial results to vary on a quarterly basis. Changes in the value of our equity investments in other airlines and airline service companies can also be significant and cause fluctuations in our results. Other factors that may affect our results include severe weather conditions and natural disasters (or other environmental events), which could significantly disrupt service and create air traffic control problems. In addition, increases in the frequency, severity or duration of thunderstorms, hurricanes, typhoons, floods or other severe weather events, including from changes in the global climate and rising global temperatures, could result in increases in delays and cancellations, turbulence-related injuries and fuel consumption to avoid such weather, any of which could result in loss of revenue and higher costs. Because of fluctuations in our results from seasonality and other factors, results of operations for a historical period are not necessarily indicative of results of operations for a future period and results of operations for an interim period are not necessarily indicative of results of operations for an entire year. Delta Air Lines, Inc. | 2024 Form 10-K20 Delta Air Lines, Inc. | 2024 Form 10-K20 Delta Air Lines, Inc. | 2024 Form 10-K20 Delta Air Lines, Inc. | 2024 Form 10-K 20 Delta Air Lines, Inc. | 2024 Form 10-K20 Delta Air Lines, Inc. | 2024 Form 10-K20 Delta Air Lines, Inc. | 2024 Form 10-K 20 Delta Air Lines, Inc. | 2024 Form 10-K20 Delta Air Lines, Inc. | 2024 Form 10-K 20 Delta Air Lines, Inc. | 2024 Form 10-K 20 Item 1A. Risk Factors Item 1A. Risk Factors Item 1A. Risk Factors --- ## Modified: Disruptions of our information technology infrastructure could interfere with our operations, possibly having a material adverse effect on our business. **Key changes:** - Reworded sentence: "A significant individual, sustained or repeated failure of our information technology infrastructure, including third-party networks, software-as-a-service applications, cloud services, or technology that we utilize and on which we depend, could impact our operations and our customer service, result in loss of revenue, increased costs and damage our reputation." **Prior (2024):** Disruptions in our information technology capability could result from a technology error or failure impacting our internal systems, whether hosted internally at our data centers or externally at third-party locations, or large-scale external interruption in technology infrastructure support on which we depend, such as power, telecommunications or the internet. The operation of our technology systems and the use of related data may also be vulnerable to a variety of other sources of interruption, including natural disasters, terrorist attacks, computer viruses, hackers and other security issues. A significant individual, sustained or repeated failure of our information technology infrastructure, including third-party networks we utilize and on which we depend, could impact our operations and our customer service, result in increased costs and damage our reputation. While we have in place initiatives to prevent disruptions and disaster recovery plans and continue to invest in improvements to these initiatives and plans, we have previously experienced infrastructure disruptions. These measures may not be adequate to prevent a future business disruption and any material adverse financial and reputational consequences to our business as recent outages of large cloud providers whom we rely on has shown. **Current (2025):** Disruptions in our information technology capability could result from a technology error or failure impacting our internal systems, whether hosted internally at our data centers or externally at third-party locations, or large-scale external interruption in technology infrastructure support on which we depend, such as power, telecommunications or the internet. The operation of our technology systems and the use of related data may also be vulnerable to a variety of other sources of interruption, including natural disasters, terrorist attacks, computer viruses, hackers and other security issues. A significant individual, sustained or repeated failure of our information technology infrastructure, including third-party networks, software-as-a-service applications, cloud services, or technology that we utilize and on which we depend, could impact our operations and our customer service, result in loss of revenue, increased costs and damage our reputation. While we have initiatives and disaster recovery plans in place to prevent or mitigate disruptions, we experienced a global outage caused by a faulty update by cybersecurity vendor CrowdStrike in July 2024 that resulted in global information technology outages of Windows-based systems. The faulty software update significantly affected our information technology systems, disrupting our operations. The operational disruption resulted in flight delays and approximately 7,000 cancellations of Delta flights over five days, impacting 1.4 million customers. The CrowdStrike-caused outage and resulting operational disruption adversely impacted our results of operations as discussed in more detail in "Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis." While we continue to invest in improvements to our preventative initiatives and disaster recovery plans, the measures we have in place may not be adequate to prevent future business disruptions and any material adverse financial and reputational consequences to our business. --- ## Modified: A significant disruption in, or other problems with respect to, the operations or performance of third parties on which we rely, including third-party carriers, could have a material adverse effect on our business and results of operations. **Key changes:** - Removed sentence: "Some regional carriers, including our wholly owned subsidiary, Endeavor, are facing a shortage of qualified pilots and experiencing operating constraints as a result." - Removed sentence: "If this shortage becomes more widespread, third-party regional carriers may not be able to comply with their obligations to us, and Endeavor may not be able to perform as expected, which could reduce our expected capacity and affect our revenue, resulting in a material adverse effect on our business and results of operations." - Reworded sentence: "| 2024 Form 10-K19 Delta Air Lines, Inc." **Prior (2024):** We rely on the operations and performance of third parties in a number of areas that are important to our business, including third-party regional carriers, international alliance partners and ground operation providers at some airports. While we have agreements with certain of these third parties that define expected service performance, we do not have direct control over their operations. To the extent that the operations of a third-party on which we rely is significantly disrupted or if these third parties experience significant performance issues (including failing to satisfy any applicable performance standards) or fail to meet any applicable compliance requirements, our revenue may be reduced, our expenses may be increased and our reputation may be harmed, any or all of which could result in a material adverse effect on our business and results of operations. Some regional carriers, including our wholly owned subsidiary, Endeavor, are facing a shortage of qualified pilots and experiencing operating constraints as a result. If this shortage becomes more widespread, third-party regional carriers may not be able to comply with their obligations to us, and Endeavor may not be able to perform as expected, which could reduce our expected capacity and affect our revenue, resulting in a material adverse effect on our business and results of operations. Delta Air Lines, Inc. | 2023 Form 10-K 19 Delta Air Lines, Inc. | 2023 Form 10-K 19 Delta Air Lines, Inc. | 2023 Form 10-K 19 Delta Air Lines, Inc. | 2023 Form 10-K 19 Delta Air Lines, Inc. | 2023 Form 10-K 19 Delta Air Lines, Inc. | 2023 Form 10-K 19 Item 1A. Risk Factors Item 1A. Risk Factors Item 1A. Risk Factors **Current (2025):** We rely on the operations and performance of third parties in a number of areas that are important to our business, including third-party regional carriers, international alliance partners and ground operation providers at some airports. While we have agreements with certain of these third parties that define expected service performance, we do not have direct control over their operations. To the extent that the operations of a third-party on which we rely is significantly disrupted or if these third parties experience significant performance issues (including failing to satisfy any applicable performance standards) or fail to meet any applicable compliance requirements, our revenue may be reduced, our expenses may be increased and our reputation may be harmed, any or all of which could result in a material adverse effect on our business and results of operations. Delta Air Lines, Inc. | 2024 Form 10-K19 Delta Air Lines, Inc. | 2024 Form 10-K19 Delta Air Lines, Inc. | 2024 Form 10-K19 Delta Air Lines, Inc. | 2024 Form 10-K 19 Delta Air Lines, Inc. | 2024 Form 10-K19 Delta Air Lines, Inc. | 2024 Form 10-K19 Delta Air Lines, Inc. | 2024 Form 10-K 19 Delta Air Lines, Inc. | 2024 Form 10-K19 Delta Air Lines, Inc. | 2024 Form 10-K 19 Delta Air Lines, Inc. | 2024 Form 10-K 19 Item 1A. Risk Factors Item 1A. Risk Factors Item 1A. Risk Factors --- ## Modified: Our business and results of operations are dependent on the price of aircraft fuel. High fuel costs or cost increases, including in the cost of crude oil, could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations. **Key changes:** - Reworded sentence: "Fuel costs represented 19%, 21% and 24% of our operating expense in 2024, 2023 and 2022, respectively." - Reworded sentence: "The cost of the jet fuel we purchase under these arrangements remains subject to volatility, including from the cost of crude oil." - Added sentence: "Delta Air Lines, Inc." - Added sentence: "| 2024 Form 10-K18 Delta Air Lines, Inc." - Added sentence: "| 2024 Form 10-K18 Delta Air Lines, Inc." **Prior (2024):** Our results of operations are significantly impacted by changes in the price of aircraft fuel. Fuel costs represented 21%, 24% and 20% of our operating expense in 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively. Fuel prices are highly volatile and at times have increased substantially. In 2023, our average fuel price per gallon was $2.82, ranging from a monthly low of approximately $2.41 per gallon to a monthly high of approximately $3.18 per gallon. We acquire a significant amount of jet fuel from Monroe and through strategic agreements associated with the refinery that Monroe has with third parties. The cost of the fuel we purchase under these arrangements remains subject to volatility in the cost of crude oil and jet fuel. In addition, we have historically purchased a significant amount of aircraft fuel in addition to what we obtain from Monroe. Our aircraft fuel purchase contracts alone do not provide material protection against price increases as these contracts typically establish the price based on industry standard market price indices. Because passengers often purchase tickets well in advance of their travel, a significant rapid increase in fuel price may result in the fare charged not covering that increase. At times in the past, we often were not able to increase our fares to offset fully the effect of increases in fuel costs, and we may not be able to do so in the future. **Current (2025):** Our results of operations are significantly impacted by changes in the price of aircraft fuel. Fuel costs represented 19%, 21% and 24% of our operating expense in 2024, 2023 and 2022, respectively. Fuel prices are highly volatile and at times have adjusted substantially in relatively short periods of time. Between 2022 and 2024, our average fuel price per gallon has ranged from a monthly high of $4.25 in June 2022 to a monthly low of $2.29 in November 2024. We acquire a significant amount of jet fuel from Monroe and through strategic agreements associated with the refinery that Monroe has with third parties. The cost of the jet fuel we purchase under these arrangements remains subject to volatility, including from the cost of crude oil. In addition, we have historically purchased a significant amount of aircraft fuel in addition to what we obtain from Monroe. Our aircraft fuel purchase contracts alone do not provide material protection against price increases as these contracts typically establish the price based on industry standard market price indices. Because passengers often purchase tickets well in advance of their travel, a significant rapid increase in fuel price may result in the fare charged not covering that increase. At times in the past, we often were not able to increase our fares to offset fully the effect of increases in fuel costs, and we may not be able to do so in the future. Delta Air Lines, Inc. | 2024 Form 10-K18 Delta Air Lines, Inc. | 2024 Form 10-K18 Delta Air Lines, Inc. | 2024 Form 10-K18 Delta Air Lines, Inc. | 2024 Form 10-K 18 Delta Air Lines, Inc. | 2024 Form 10-K18 Delta Air Lines, Inc. | 2024 Form 10-K18 Delta Air Lines, Inc. | 2024 Form 10-K 18 Delta Air Lines, Inc. | 2024 Form 10-K18 Delta Air Lines, Inc. | 2024 Form 10-K 18 Delta Air Lines, Inc. | 2024 Form 10-K 18 Item 1A. Risk Factors Item 1A. Risk Factors Item 1A. Risk Factors --- *Data sourced from SEC EDGAR. Last updated 2026-05-10.*