As CEO of Delta Air Lines, Ed Bastian leads 100,000 global professionals to build the world’s best international airline, driven by a people-driven, customer-focused culture and a spirit of innovation.
Under Ed’s leadership, Delta is transforming the air travel experience with generational investments in technology, aircraft, airport facilities and, most importantly, Delta employees around the world. A 25-year Delta veteran, Ed is a key leader in Delta’s long-term strategy and is committed to Delta’s shared values of integrity, integrity, respect, perseverance, and servant leadership. He is also an advocate for putting the company at the center of every decision.
Since being named CEO of Delta Air Lines in May 2016, Ed has expanded Delta’s leadership position as the world’s most trusted airline, while expanding its global footprint and leading the way in the air and on the ground. We have improved the customer experience. During his tenure as CEO, Delta Air Lines became the most awarded airline in the world, Wall Street Journal’s top U.S. airlines; top-ranked airline of Fortune Magazine’s World’s Most Admired Companies; of Most on-time airlines worldwide according to FlightGlobal; Cirium receives Platinum Award for Operational Excellence; between TIME100 Most Influential Companies; Glassdoor is a great place to work; more.
In 2018, fortune magazine Ed was named one of the “50 Greatest Leaders in the World” and was elected to the Council on Foreign Relations in 2019. In 2021, during a global pandemic, Ed received the award for his work. FlightGlobal’s Executive Leadership in Airline Strategy Awards 2021 Named Top 10 CEOs of 2021 Glassdoor Employee Choice Awards As a leader who excels in supporting people. Ed was recently honored by his colleague, his CEO, chief executive magazine 2024 Georgian of the Year plus 2023 Chief Executive Officer of the Year georgia trend magazine.
Ed’s values-based leadership has helped the airline grow into an industry leader and trusted global brand, guided by empathy, humanity and a dedication to service, through good times and bad. has also contributed to Delta Air Lines. He has led Delta Air Lines through some of the most challenging times in its history, including 9/11, bankruptcy and COVID-19.
When asked to sum up his job in five words, Ed’s answer is “taking care of my people.” The answer reflects his leadership philosophy, which is based on a “virtuous cycle.” In other words, if you take care of your employees, they will take care of your customers and reward your investors with their business and loyalty.
Ed joined Delta Air Lines in 1998 as Vice President of Finance and Administration. He was named his chief financial officer in 2005 and president of Delta Airlines in 2007.
Prior to joining Delta Air Lines, Ed held senior finance positions at Frito-Lay International and Pepsi-Cola International. Ed began his career at Price’s Waterhouse and became an audit partner in New York.
Ed grew up in Poughkeepsie, New York and graduated from St. Bonaventure University with a bachelor’s degree in business administration. He lives in Atlanta and is deeply involved with his faith, family, and community.
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