Delta CEO Ed Bastian says airline fares will stay elevated even if jet fuel prices fall

Delta CEO Ed Bastian said airline fares are likely to remain elevated even if jet fuel prices ease, citing structural changes across the industry. Speaking during the carrier’s quarterly earnings call, Bastian noted jet fuel costs rose 10% from Tuesday to Wednesday, raising concerns for summer travel pricing. He argued that higher fuel prices and increases in other operating expenses—such as labor, airport infrastructure, technology, and aircraft costs—have made it harder for low-cost carriers to compete purely through lower fares. Bastian said the industry can recapture fuel-cost inflation but that current revenue momentum should remain sustainable if fuel moderates, adding that fares have still been 10 to 15 points below overall inflation since COVID. He also estimated that even at today’s fuel environment, the low end of the market would need another 5% fare increase to reach breakeven, emphasizing resilience and revenue diversification.