Mitchell Hartman

Delta's certainly not immune to developments in the Strait of Hormuz and soaring jet fuel prices, says analyst Nicholas Owens at Morningstar.

Delta's certainly not immune to developments in the Strait of Hormuz and soaring jet fuel prices, says analyst Nicholas Owens at Morningstar.

They did say they had $2 billion of incremental fuel cost, and the price per gallon is almost double what it was a year ago.

They did say they had $2 billion of incremental fuel cost, and the price per gallon is almost double what it was a year ago.

And the airline's responding aggressively, says Alex Faciano at CFRA Research.

And the airline's responding aggressively, says Alex Faciano at CFRA Research.

And that's not likely to drive away too many customers, says Nicholas Owens at Morningstar.

And that's not likely to drive away too many customers, says Nicholas Owens at Morningstar.

Delta is the most profitable North American airline, and that gives them some cushion to absorb the temporary hit from spike in fuel cost.

Delta is the most profitable North American airline, and that gives them some cushion to absorb the temporary hit from spike in fuel cost.

A big reason is Delta's relatively affluent customer base.

A big reason is Delta's relatively affluent customer base.

In Q1, its revenue at the front of the plane, so the fancy seats, was up 14%.

In Q1, its revenue at the front of the plane, so the fancy seats, was up 14%.

They're seeing persistent demand.

They're seeing persistent demand.

People are paying the higher fares regularly.

People are paying the higher fares regularly.

They have these premium seats and a well-heeled, less price-sensitive customer.

They have these premium seats and a well-heeled, less price-sensitive customer.