Delta Air Lines is experiencing success in 2025 with strong earnings and new premium lounge offerings, but faces challenges due to overcrowded Sky Clubs caused by a surge in revenge travel post-pandemic, leading to customer backlash and internal reflections on the value of loyalty benefits.
The cruise industry is experiencing a resurgence due to low prices, a surge in "revenge travel," and a successful IPO, keeping it in good financial health.
New data suggests that the trend of "revenge travel" may be coming to an end, as travel intentions are flatlining or falling in several countries, particularly in Europe. Inflation and rising travel costs have caused travelers to curtail their plans, with intentions to travel dropping in France, Germany, Canada, and Russia. A report by Oxford Economics also predicts that short-haul revenge travel in the Asia-Pacific region is likely to fade, as the initial surge of pent-up demand settles down. The longer-term effects of tightening monetary policies and economic uncertainties may lead to a slowdown in travel. Chinese consumers, in particular, are losing interest in international trips due to high unemployment, negative wealth effects, and weak wage growth. While outbound travel from China is expected to continue growing, it may not be enough to compensate for the loss of travelers from other regions.
Delta Air Lines CEO Ed Bastian revealed that Americans' thirst for "revenge travel" is beyond anything that people can classify as truly pent-up, with a gap of $300 billion in inherent demand for U.S. travel that couldn't be met over the past three years. Delta is currently seeing demand it's never seen before, and there's no end in sight. The airline industry as a whole struggled to upskill their workers and hire new ones to meet demand last summer, but this summer, Delta has hired over 25,000 people who are trained, experienced, and ready to face the crowds.
Delta Air Lines CEO Ed Bastian revealed that Americans' thirst for "revenge travel" is beyond anything that people can classify as truly pent-up, with a gap of $300 billion in inherent demand for U.S. travel that couldn't be met over the past three years. Delta is currently seeing demand it's never seen before, and there's no end in sight. The pandemic forced people to reevaluate the importance of travel in their lives, making it a need rather than a want. Delta has adjusted to how revenge travel is sweeping the nation by eliminating change fees from their products and hiring over 25,000 people to meet demand.
International travel bookings from the U.S. have increased more than 200% since 2022, according to AAA. Airfares for international flights have jumped more than 30%, and International hotel bookings are up 300% from last year, as revenge travel surges.