Delta CEO Ed Bastian sparks backlash after revealing what’s really driving sky-high ticket prices

The CEO of Delta Air Lines has suggested his company’s prices will remain elevated to boost its coffers even after Iran-driven oil costs stabilize, according to reports.

Ed Bastian said in an April earnings call that Delta would “retain any of the pricing strength” it added to tickets because of the ongoing war, which has caused global oil prices to surge and prompted airlines to cover their increased costs by raising prices.

At Delta, that’s taken the form of increased baggage fees – with first- and second checked bags rising from by $10 to $55 each and third-bag prices jumping $50 to $200, the Guardian reported.

But Bastian suggested he has no plans of letting up on customers once the conflict calms – even saying that keeping the company’s costs elevated would “help us boost our margins this year and clearly into next year,” according to Fox News.

“It’s hard to call anything temporary,” Bastian reportedly said in the call.

Many people online were unimpressed with the CEO’s stance.

“Delta CEO saying the quiet part out loud,” a user wrote on X.

Another person wrote, “If you give them an inch, they will rob you.”

Someone else complained that airlines “never miss a chance to price gouge.”

Delta has predicted that the war in Iran – which halted about 20% of the world’s oil supply with the ongoing blockade of the Straits of Hormuz – could cost the airline about $2 billion in increased fuel costs this quarter alone.

Oil currently costs about $94 per barrel. That’s down from the recent high earlier in April of about $113 per barrel but still way up by about $30 from before the Iran war started in late February.

But far from being bad for business, Delta forecast that its revenue would increase by 10%, according to the Guardian.

Bastion even called the current climate a very “healthy” time to travel.

Other airlines have also jacked their prices and fees to make up for the costs.

United Airlines has raised some prices by as much as 20%, with CEO Scott Kirby vowing the airline would “recover 100%” of the increased fuel costs brought on by the war in Iran.