Ed Bastian’s Post

Our longstanding mission at Delta is to better connect the world and I’m honored to share we’ll be furthering this through a new agreement announced today with Riyadh Air | طيران الرياض. Both airlines share a commitment to providing our customers an elevated experience and our partnership will bring new opportunities to them, our employees, investors and communities. Tony Douglas and members of the Riyadh Air team visited us in Atlanta today to celebrate this exciting new relationship. It’s not lost on me that our journey together will launch next year as Delta celebrates our 100th anniversary and will embark on our second century of flight as the world’s leading premium airline. It’ll be an opportunity to learn from one another and innovate for the future together. 

On the latest episode of Gaining Altitude, I was honored to host 7x world champion, entrepreneur and philanthropist Tom Brady in Boston – where he spent most of his professional career. Our discussion spanned topics such as teamwork, consistency and the importance of culture. Tom’s journey from being the 199th pick to becoming the most decorated quarterback is a testament to his perseverance and discipline. Tom shared his full circle moments and the mentors who helped him realize his full potential. As he moves into the next phase of his life, he shared how he spends his time paying this mentorship forward. Tom is not only a legend on the football field, but a genuine and humble leader and his story embodies what it means to Keep Climbing. The episode is now available on the Gaining Altitude website found below. I hope you’ll tune in. https://lnkd.in/eQiJpp6

As Delta gets closer to celebrating its 100-year anniversary next year, I’ve been reminiscing about the moments and the people who got us to where we are today, including some of our great leaders. During a difficult period in Delta’s history, Gerald “Jerry” Grinstein became CEO, and his work laid the foundation for the Delta of today.   Jerry was a true example of servant leadership, and always reminded us he was working in the service of Delta people. I couldn’t think of a better way to kick off our 100-year anniversary plans than to honor him by unveiling the Jerry Grinstein Executive Building at our Atlanta headquarters.  Every day, Jerry continues to inspire the people of Delta. I am honored to celebrate this special moment, and I want to thank everyone who helped make this a reality.  

As I reflect on the 80th anniversary of D-Day, I am truly thankful to all those who played an integral part in bringing our WWII veterans back to Normandy – including our partners: the Best Defense Foundation , Michelin and Boeing. The impact of these trips – both on the veterans and those who get to engage with them – cannot be understated. We’re in the land of the free because of the brave. And these are the brave. I couldn’t be more proud of the Delta people who helped make this a memorable experience for our WWII heroes. Being able to experience it with them was a once-in-a-lifetime event that I will hold dear.

We’re very honored to be taking home the Air Transport World Airline of the Year Award along with an inaugural Hall of Fame award. These awards will be proudly making their way from Dubai to Atlanta. The Delta Air Lines team is humbled by these esteemed recognitions but we’re also hungry to continue our quest to keep climbing, so that we can better serve our customers every day. Karen Walker and team, thank you for the hospitality at the 50th Airline Industry Achievement Awards. I had a great time with Becki, Symeria, Erika, Randy, Alex, Mona and the whole Delta team. Without them and their 100,000 colleagues, none of this would be possible. 

I always look forward to this time of year, but something about this summer feels different. The energy is undeniable as we plan our summer travel adventures. Whether you’re off to Paris to cheer on Team USA at the Olympic and Paralympic Games, exploring a new and far-flung destination, or taking a well-deserved break somewhere quiet and calm – our team of 100,000 strong can’t wait to see and serve you in the skies. Wherever your travels take you, I’m wishing you a summer filled with joy and connection. I’m personally looking forward to some family time, particularly with my 18-month-old grandson who is learning to love the beach. There’s nothing like watching the world through his eyes. Thank you for the trust you place in us to connect you with the people and places that matter most.

This spring, I’ve had the pleasure of delivering the commencement address at two universities that are very close to my heart. It was an honor and a privilege to speak to the Class of 2024 at Georgia Institute of Technology in Delta’s hometown of Atlanta and at my own alma mater St. Bonaventure University in New York. I always enjoy spending this special time with students and their loved ones as they enter the next phase of life where they’ll discover the purpose they’ll take into the world. For all our recent graduates, here’s a few life lessons I’d share with you during this important moment in your lives: Character matters. Invest in it. Protect your name and reputation. It’s the most important investment you can make. Learning is a lifelong pursuit. When you commit to continued learning, people will notice. Small successes will start to lead to even greater ones. Exude a quiet confidence. Inner confidence and strength are powerful. But never lose sight of how you’ve gotten to where you are. Never forget to give back to those who made your success possible. Lastly and most importantly, embrace the value of teamwork. Never forget being surrounded by a great team is far, far better than being a talented player out there alone. 

We know our customers and our people really care about Delta’s efforts to become a more sustainable and equitable organization. It’s a part of why they choose us time and time again so it’s very important that we continue to make deliberate progress each year. I’m feeling inspired to see the many ways that the Delta Air Lines team prioritized this vital work in 2023 as outlined in our annual Environmental, Social and Governance report. Meaningful change starts within and extends to the communities where we live, work and serve. To all our employees, customers, investors and community partners on this journey, thank you for all you do. I invite you to learn more about our efforts below.

In March, I had the honor of interviewing renowned chef, author and humanitarian José Andrés in a special live episode of Gaining Altitude at SXSW. Twice named one of Time’s “100 Most Influential People,” José Andrés is not only known as an incredible chef and pioneer of Spanish tapas in the U.S., but also for his non-profit work that has served hundreds of millions worldwide. In 2010, José established World Central Kitchen as a means for providing fresh meals to the frontlines in response to humanitarian, climate and community crises -- empowering communities and strengthening economies in the process. Our conversation spans topics like the power of food, the importance of human connection and the impact of a people-focused culture. This special episode is now available on the Gaining Altitude website. https://lnkd.in/eFjN68pQ