Airline data

Delta Air Lines performance scorecard

The Internet Archive captured 100 distinct versions of Delta's tracked policy/fine-print pages in 2026 (33.3 versions per page).

We hold 180 validated statistics for Delta Air Lines, covering 1987 to 2026-07. The 63 most recent in each category are below.

What this does not meanThis carrier’s figures span 1 January 2018, when the DOT changed both which airlines must report (from 1% to half of one percent of domestic scheduled passenger revenue) and how flights are attributed (from the operating carrier to the marketing carrier). Figures either side of that date describe different populations of flights, so they are listed by year rather than drawn as one trend.

Cancellations and delays

In 2024, Delta cancelled 0.9% of its 1009174 tracked flights (95% CI ±0.018 pts), ranking 14 of 15 carriers for cancellations.
2024n=1009174 flights; binomial 95% CI ±0.018 pts
Reporting carriers only (DOT threshold); operating-carrier attribution.
In 2024, 17.3% of Delta flights arrived 15+ minutes late (n=1009174 flights).
2024n=1009174 flights
Reporting carriers only.
In 2023, 16.4% of Delta flights arrived 15+ minutes late (n=984986 flights).
2023n=984986 flights
Reporting carriers only.
In 2023, Delta cancelled 1.02% of its 984986 tracked flights (95% CI ±0.02 pts), ranking 11 of 15 carriers for cancellations.
2023n=984986 flights; binomial 95% CI ±0.02 pts
Reporting carriers only (DOT threshold); operating-carrier attribution.
In 2022, 16.0% of Delta flights arrived 15+ minutes late (n=893172 flights).
2022n=893172 flights
Reporting carriers only.
In 2022, Delta cancelled 1.6% of its 893172 tracked flights (95% CI ±0.026 pts), ranking 16 of 17 carriers for cancellations.
2022n=893172 flights; binomial 95% CI ±0.026 pts
Reporting carriers only (DOT threshold); operating-carrier attribution.
In 2021, Delta cancelled 0.49% of its 747998 tracked flights (95% CI ±0.016 pts), ranking 15 of 17 carriers for cancellations.
2021n=747998 flights; binomial 95% CI ±0.016 pts
Reporting carriers only (DOT threshold); operating-carrier attribution.
In 2021, 11.6% of Delta flights arrived 15+ minutes late (n=747998 flights).
2021n=747998 flights
Reporting carriers only.
In 2020, Delta cancelled 4.95% of its 581101 tracked flights (95% CI ±0.056 pts), ranking 11 of 16 carriers for cancellations.
2020n=581101 flights; binomial 95% CI ±0.056 pts
Reporting carriers only (DOT threshold); operating-carrier attribution.
In 2020, 9.0% of Delta flights arrived 15+ minutes late (n=581101 flights).
2020n=581101 flights
Reporting carriers only.
In 2019, Delta cancelled 0.19% of its 991986 tracked flights (95% CI ±0.008 pts), ranking 15 of 16 carriers for cancellations.
2019n=991986 flights; binomial 95% CI ±0.008 pts
Reporting carriers only (DOT threshold); operating-carrier attribution.
In 2019, 14.5% of Delta flights arrived 15+ minutes late (n=991986 flights).
2019n=991986 flights
Reporting carriers only.

Lobbying and political spending

In 2024, Delta scored 41.6/100 on the Row30 Hypocrisy Index (lobbying spend x passenger fees x operational misery), ranking #8.
2024composite index; components published alongside
Complaint dimension currently proxied by misery index pending DOT ATCR ingestion.
In 2024, Delta reported $3.46B net income while scoring 23.0/100 on the Row30 Misery Index (rank #13 most miserable).
2024audited 10-K figures (complete population)
Holding-company level income.
In 2024, Delta spent $7.61M on federal lobbying while collecting $1214.0M in baggage and change fees — $159.0 in fees for every lobbying dollar.
2024complete-population disclosures (LDA filings + Form 41)
Lobbying totals include all issues, not only aviation; LDA data as-retrieved (Senate cannot vouch post-retrieval).
In 2023, Delta scored 18.6/100 on the Row30 Hypocrisy Index (lobbying spend x passenger fees x operational misery), ranking #8.
2023composite index; components published alongside
Complaint dimension currently proxied by misery index pending DOT ATCR ingestion.
In 2023, Delta reported $4.61B net income while scoring 23.7/100 on the Row30 Misery Index (rank #15 most miserable).
2023audited 10-K figures (complete population)
Holding-company level income.
In 2023, Delta spent $6.98M on federal lobbying while collecting $1133.0M in baggage and change fees — $162.0 in fees for every lobbying dollar.
2023complete-population disclosures (LDA filings + Form 41)
Lobbying totals include all issues, not only aviation; LDA data as-retrieved (Senate cannot vouch post-retrieval).
In 2022, Delta reported $1.32B net income while scoring 20.3/100 on the Row30 Misery Index (rank #17 most miserable).
2022audited 10-K figures (complete population)
Holding-company level income.
In 2022, Delta scored 33.1/100 on the Row30 Hypocrisy Index (lobbying spend x passenger fees x operational misery), ranking #7.
2022composite index; components published alongside
Complaint dimension currently proxied by misery index pending DOT ATCR ingestion.
In 2022, Delta spent $6.29M on federal lobbying while collecting $1080.0M in baggage and change fees — $172.0 in fees for every lobbying dollar.
2022complete-population disclosures (LDA filings + Form 41)
Lobbying totals include all issues, not only aviation; LDA data as-retrieved (Senate cannot vouch post-retrieval).
In 2021, Delta scored 45.3/100 on the Row30 Hypocrisy Index (lobbying spend x passenger fees x operational misery), ranking #7.
2021composite index; components published alongside
Complaint dimension currently proxied by misery index pending DOT ATCR ingestion.
In 2021, Delta reported $0.28B net income while scoring 22.2/100 on the Row30 Misery Index (rank #15 most miserable).
2021audited 10-K figures (complete population)
Holding-company level income.
In 2021, Delta spent $5.73M on federal lobbying while collecting $953.0M in baggage and change fees — $166.0 in fees for every lobbying dollar.
2021complete-population disclosures (LDA filings + Form 41)
Lobbying totals include all issues, not only aviation; LDA data as-retrieved (Senate cannot vouch post-retrieval).

Report card

The 2024 Row30 Airline Report Card grades Delta B (74.6/100): reliability 85.3, baggage 61.2, fees 77.3.
2024composite of official DOT metrics; sub-scores published
Transparent composite, not an endorsement; sparse bumping data in some years.
The 2023 Row30 Airline Report Card grades Delta B (74.5/100): reliability 89.2, baggage 53.1, fees 81.1.
2023composite of official DOT metrics; sub-scores published
Transparent composite, not an endorsement; sparse bumping data in some years.
The 2022 Row30 Airline Report Card grades Delta B (73.0/100): reliability 91.5, baggage 47.4, fees 80.2.
2022composite of official DOT metrics; sub-scores published
Transparent composite, not an endorsement; sparse bumping data in some years.
The 2021 Row30 Airline Report Card grades Delta B (77.4/100): reliability 87.0, baggage 55.7, fees 66.7.
2021composite of official DOT metrics; sub-scores published
Transparent composite, not an endorsement; sparse bumping data in some years.
The 2020 Row30 Airline Report Card grades Delta C (62.5/100): reliability 78.5, baggage 58.9, fees 50.1.
2020composite of official DOT metrics; sub-scores published
Transparent composite, not an endorsement; sparse bumping data in some years.
The 2019 Row30 Airline Report Card grades Delta C (61.8/100): reliability 82.4, baggage 56.0, fees 47.0.
2019composite of official DOT metrics; sub-scores published
Transparent composite, not an endorsement; sparse bumping data in some years.
The 2018 Row30 Airline Report Card grades Delta C (65.7/100): reliability 84.7, baggage n/a, fees 46.7.
2018composite of official DOT metrics; sub-scores published
Transparent composite, not an endorsement; sparse bumping data in some years.
The 2017 Row30 Airline Report Card grades Delta C (60.5/100): reliability 77.7, baggage n/a, fees 43.2.
2017composite of official DOT metrics; sub-scores published
Transparent composite, not an endorsement; sparse bumping data in some years.
The 2016 Row30 Airline Report Card grades Delta C (57.4/100): reliability 72.3, baggage n/a, fees 42.4.
2016composite of official DOT metrics; sub-scores published
Transparent composite, not an endorsement; sparse bumping data in some years.
The 2015 Row30 Airline Report Card grades Delta D (55.0/100): reliability 82.4, baggage n/a, fees 27.6.
2015composite of official DOT metrics; sub-scores published
Transparent composite, not an endorsement; sparse bumping data in some years.
The 2014 Row30 Airline Report Card grades Delta F (33.0/100): reliability 61.9, baggage n/a, fees 4.0.
2014composite of official DOT metrics; sub-scores published
Transparent composite, not an endorsement; sparse bumping data in some years.
The 2013 Row30 Airline Report Card grades Delta F (33.1/100): reliability 66.1, baggage n/a, fees 0.0.
2013composite of official DOT metrics; sub-scores published
Transparent composite, not an endorsement; sparse bumping data in some years.

Baggage and change fees

In 2024, Delta Air Lines Inc. collected $8.59 per passenger in baggage + change fees ($1214.0M total across 141.3M passengers).
2024complete-population accounting data (Form 41), not a sample
Excludes seat/upgrade/other ancillary fees (not separately reported).
In 2023, Delta Air Lines Inc. collected $8.27 per passenger in baggage + change fees ($1133.0M total across 136.9M passengers).
2023complete-population accounting data (Form 41), not a sample
Excludes seat/upgrade/other ancillary fees (not separately reported).
In 2022, Delta Air Lines Inc. collected $8.82 per passenger in baggage + change fees ($1080.0M total across 122.5M passengers).
2022complete-population accounting data (Form 41), not a sample
Excludes seat/upgrade/other ancillary fees (not separately reported).
In 2021, Delta Air Lines Inc. collected $10.29 per passenger in baggage + change fees ($953.0M total across 92.6M passengers).
2021complete-population accounting data (Form 41), not a sample
Excludes seat/upgrade/other ancillary fees (not separately reported).
In 2020, Delta Air Lines Inc. collected $14.81 per passenger in baggage + change fees ($717.0M total across 48.4M passengers).
2020complete-population accounting data (Form 41), not a sample
Excludes seat/upgrade/other ancillary fees (not separately reported).
In 2019, Delta Air Lines Inc. collected $14.31 per passenger in baggage + change fees ($1952.0M total across 136.4M passengers).
2019complete-population accounting data (Form 41), not a sample
Excludes seat/upgrade/other ancillary fees (not separately reported).
In 2018, Delta Air Lines Inc. collected $14.35 per passenger in baggage + change fees ($1817.0M total across 126.7M passengers).
2018complete-population accounting data (Form 41), not a sample
Excludes seat/upgrade/other ancillary fees (not separately reported).
In 2017, Delta Air Lines Inc. collected $14.37 per passenger in baggage + change fees ($1738.0M total across 120.9M passengers).
2017complete-population accounting data (Form 41), not a sample
Excludes seat/upgrade/other ancillary fees (not separately reported).
In 2016, Delta Air Lines Inc. collected $14.44 per passenger in baggage + change fees ($1721.0M total across 119.2M passengers).
2016complete-population accounting data (Form 41), not a sample
Excludes seat/upgrade/other ancillary fees (not separately reported).
In 2015, Delta Air Lines Inc. collected $15.42 per passenger in baggage + change fees ($1774.0M total across 115.1M passengers).
2015complete-population accounting data (Form 41), not a sample
Excludes seat/upgrade/other ancillary fees (not separately reported).
In 2014, Delta Air Lines Inc. collected $16.33 per passenger in baggage + change fees ($1738.0M total across 106.4M passengers).
2014complete-population accounting data (Form 41), not a sample
Excludes seat/upgrade/other ancillary fees (not separately reported).
In 2013, Delta Air Lines Inc. collected $16.97 per passenger in baggage + change fees ($1673.0M total across 98.6M passengers).
2013complete-population accounting data (Form 41), not a sample
Excludes seat/upgrade/other ancillary fees (not separately reported).

Policy churn

The Internet Archive captured 100 distinct versions of Delta's tracked policy/fine-print pages in 2026 (33.3 versions per page).
2026distinct content digests (change ceiling incl. redesigns)
Digest changes include cosmetic redesigns, not only policy substance.
The Internet Archive captured 195 distinct versions of Delta's tracked policy/fine-print pages in 2025 (65.0 versions per page).
2025distinct content digests (change ceiling incl. redesigns)
Digest changes include cosmetic redesigns, not only policy substance.
The Internet Archive captured 347 distinct versions of Delta's tracked policy/fine-print pages in 2024 (115.7 versions per page).
2024distinct content digests (change ceiling incl. redesigns)
Digest changes include cosmetic redesigns, not only policy substance.
The Internet Archive captured 419 distinct versions of Delta's tracked policy/fine-print pages in 2023 (139.7 versions per page).
2023distinct content digests (change ceiling incl. redesigns)
Digest changes include cosmetic redesigns, not only policy substance.
The Internet Archive captured 461 distinct versions of Delta's tracked policy/fine-print pages in 2022 (153.7 versions per page).
2022distinct content digests (change ceiling incl. redesigns)
Digest changes include cosmetic redesigns, not only policy substance.
The Internet Archive captured 523 distinct versions of Delta's tracked policy/fine-print pages in 2021 (174.3 versions per page).
2021distinct content digests (change ceiling incl. redesigns)
Digest changes include cosmetic redesigns, not only policy substance.
The Internet Archive captured 407 distinct versions of Delta's tracked policy/fine-print pages in 2020 (135.7 versions per page).
2020distinct content digests (change ceiling incl. redesigns)
Digest changes include cosmetic redesigns, not only policy substance.
The Internet Archive captured 184 distinct versions of Delta's tracked policy/fine-print pages in 2019 (92.0 versions per page).
2019distinct content digests (change ceiling incl. redesigns)
Digest changes include cosmetic redesigns, not only policy substance.
The Internet Archive captured 6 distinct versions of Delta's tracked policy/fine-print pages in 2018 (6.0 versions per page).
2018distinct content digests (change ceiling incl. redesigns)
Digest changes include cosmetic redesigns, not only policy substance.

Public attention

As of 2026-07, 35.5% of Google's own autocomplete suggestions about Delta are negative (39 of 110) — including "delta air lines lawsuit seattle".
2026-07census of returned suggestions at snapshot date
Suggestions vary by time and geography; editorial/research use with as-of date.
In 2025-02, Delta drew 1.33x its normal Wikipedia attention (124515 views) with press tone -2.374 across 5003 articles.
2025-02attention ratio vs airline's own median month
Tone from GDELT V2 (global English-language news).
In 2020-03, Delta drew 1.3x its normal Wikipedia attention (122052 views) with press tone -2.65 across 6798 articles, while cancelling 22.78% of flights.
2020-03attention ratio vs airline's own median month
Tone from GDELT V2 (global English-language news).
In 2020-02, Delta drew 1.17x its normal Wikipedia attention (109867 views) with press tone -2.68 across 4413 articles, while cancelling 0.02% of flights.
2020-02attention ratio vs airline's own median month
Tone from GDELT V2 (global English-language news).
In 2020-01, Delta drew 1.41x its normal Wikipedia attention (132157 views) with press tone -2.345 across 7260 articles, while cancelling 0.05% of flights.
2020-01attention ratio vs airline's own median month
Tone from GDELT V2 (global English-language news).

Denied boarding

In 2021, Delta Air Lines Inc. involuntarily denied boarding to 0 passengers (0.0 per 10,000 boarded), paying $25135056 in compensation.
2021complete DOT-reported population

What this scorecard does not tell you

Cancellation and delay rates are not directly comparable between carriers. Route networks differ, and so does the weather they fly through.
An average delay figure is computed across delayed flights only, so a carrier that cancels its worst flights can look better on that measure. Read any delay average next to the cancellation rate.
Regional flights sold under this airline’s code may be operated by a different carrier. Since 2018 they are attributed to the marketing carrier, which is the code on your ticket.
These are counts and rates, not explanations. We have not tested why any figure moved.

Nothing here tells you what you are owed. That depends on the rule for your situation, which is on the passenger rights pages.

Row30 provides data journalism and education, not legal advice. We are not a law firm and do not represent passengers in legal proceedings. For advice about your own situation, consult an attorney.

Source: Google autocomplete suggestions as of 2026-07, collected and classified by Row30.

Source: Internet Archive Wayback Machine captures; analysis by Row30.

Source: Row30 Airline Report Card, computed from U.S. DOT BTS data (On-Time, Form 41, baggage, denied boarding).

Source: U.S. DOT Air Travel Consumer Report denied boarding data; analysis by Row30.

Source: U.S. DOT Bureau of Transportation Statistics, Airline On-Time Performance; analysis by Row30.

Source: U.S. DOT Form 41 financials via Bureau of Transportation Statistics; analysis by Row30.

Sources: SEC EDGAR company filings; U.S. DOT BTS; analysis by Row30.

Sources: U.S. Senate LDA; U.S. DOT Form 41 + On-Time Performance via BTS; analysis by Row30.

Sources: U.S. Senate Lobbying Disclosure Act database; U.S. DOT Form 41 via BTS; analysis by Row30.

Sources: Wikimedia pageviews; GDELT Project; U.S. DOT BTS; analysis by Row30.