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CONTACT : Investor Relations 404-715-2170 Investor Relations@delta.com September quarter 2021 GAAP pre - tax income of $ 1.5 billion , pre - tax margin of 16.7 percent and earnings per diluted share of $ 1.89 on total revenue of $ 9.2 billion ADELTA September quarter 2021 adjusted pre - tax income of $ 216 million , adjusted pre - tax margin of 2.6 percent and adjusted earnings per diluted share of $ 0.30 on adjusted operating revenue of $ 8.3 billion September quarter 2021 remuneration from American Express exceeds September quarter 2019 levels Corporate Communications 404-715-2554 Media@delta.com ATLANTA , Oct. 13 , 2021 - Delta Air Lines ( NYSE : DAL ) today reported financial results for the September quarter 2021 and provided its outlook for the December quarter 2021. Highlights of the September quarter 2021 results , including both GAAP and adjusted metrics , are on page six and are incorporated here . ● Delta Air Lines Announces September Quarter 2021 Profit " Our September quarter marked an important milestone in our recovery , with our first quarterly profit since the start of the pandemic , " said Ed Bastian , Delta's chief executive officer . " Our revenues reached two - thirds of 2019 levels thanks to the industry - leading operational performance our people delivered through a busy summer , once again showing why they are the best in the business . " ● " While demand continues to improve , the recent rise in fuel prices will pressure our ability to remain profitable for the December quarter . As the recovery progresses , I am confident in our path to sustained profitability as we continue to provide best - in - class service to our customers , strengthen preference for our brand , while creating a simpler , more efficient airline . " ● September Quarter Financial and Operating Results Adjusted pre - tax income of $ 216 million excludes a $ 1.3 billion net benefit related to the second payroll support program extension ( PSP 3 ) partially offset by debt extinguishment charges and mark - to - market adjustments on our investments ● Adjusted operating revenue of $ 8.3 billion , which excludes refinery sales , was 66 percent recovered versus September quarter 2019 on capacity that was 71 percent restored . Sequentially versus the J une quarter 2021 , adjusted operating revenue improved by $ 1.9 billion , or 30 percent , on an 11 percent increase in capacity Total operating expense , which includes the remaining $ 1.8 billion of benefit related to PSP 3 , decreased $ 3.5 billion compared to the September quarter 2019. Adjusted for the benefit related to PSP3 and costs from third - party refinery sales , total operating expense decreased $ 2.6 lion or 25 percent in the September quarter 2021 versus the comparable 2019 period Remuneration from American Express in the quarter was just over $ 1 billion , up 1 percent compared to September quarter 2019 Generated $ 151 million of operating cash flow and invested $ 619 million back in the business At the end of the September quarter , the company had $ 15.8 billion in liquidity , including cash and cash equivalents , short - term investments and undrawn revolving credit facilities Led the industry on key operating metrics , including a record combined completion factor of 99.72 in August for both mainline and Delta Connection . These operating results and other enhancements to the customer experience supported domestic net promoter scores above September quarter 2019 levels 1