The $8+ Billion Partnership: How Delta and Amex Redefined the Business of Flying | Titans and Disruptors

From one of the largest bankruptcies in U.S. history to leading the industry in market capitalization and premium customer satisfaction, Delta Air Lines has rewritten the business of flying in the last two decades.  In this episode, Fortune's Editor-in-Chief Alyson Shontell sits down with CEO Ed Bastian at Delta’s Atlanta headquarters to discuss the strategic maneuvers behind the airline’s resurgence. Bastian details his 'people-first' leadership philosophy, the evolution of the lucrative American Express partnership, and his vision for the future of travel, from AI-powered concierge services to the launch of flying taxis. 00:00 Intro 01:36 Advertisement 03:05 Bastian’s personal background 04:21 Executive training at Pepsi 06:14 Uncovering fraud at J. Walter Thompson 07:23 Delta files for bankruptcy 8:08 Bastian’s return to Delta 09:43 Delta’s turnaround playbook 11:37 Delta’s post-bankruptcy restructuring 13:55 Billion-dollar profit-sharing program 15:36 Sharing wealth with employees 16:21 Bastian’s people-first commitment 16:48 Becoming a CEO 17:45 Transitioning from CFO to CEO 19:04 Becoming comfortable as a CEO 19:45 Shifting communication styles as CEO 21:40 Staying in the know 22:13 Leading employees through down times 24:32 Bastian’s no-furlough strategy 26:06 Delta / AMEX partnership 29:14 Credit card interest rates 30:25 Creating brand trust and loyalty 33:39 Delta’s next 100 years 34:14 Balancing AI with people 36:56 Staying updated on AI 38:13 AI’s impact on air travel 39:15 Sustainable travel 40:08 Flying taxis 40:57 Delta’s five-to-ten year strategy 42:04 Bastian’s leadership advice Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices