TTW
18 April 2025
Amid growing concerns over the US-driven trade war’s global impact, Delta Air Lines and United Airlines have reported that their international operations remain resilient, although some challenges are beginning to surface, particularly in the US-inbound market.
Delta Air Lines recently revealed that while its international routes are still performing well, the overall growth has slowed down. To manage this, the airline has decided to reduce passenger capacity and decelerate the growth of its fleet and workforce. Despite these adjustments, the airline’s leadership remains optimistic about its key premium and international segments. In the first quarter, Delta reported a 16% year-over-year growth in revenue from Asia-Pacific flights and a 5% increase in revenue from its Europe and Latin America routes.
Around 80% of Delta’s long-haul international sales come from US-originating passengers, with strong bookings expected throughout the summer.
In a similar vein, United Airlines disclosed plans on April 15, 2025, to reduce capacity in its domestic network in response to a decline in demand for flights between US cities. However, the airline’s international flights continue to perform well. United saw a 4.7% year-over-year increase in revenue per available seat kilometre (RASM) for transatlantic flights and an 8.5% increase for Asia-Pacific routes.
