Today, Delta Air Lines stands as the largest U.S. carrier by revenue and the most profitable—a position largely credited to its commitment to on-time reliability, strategic investments in airports and onboard amenities, and a sharp focus on attracting premium travelers.
Much of Delta’s transformation can be traced to its current CEO, Ed Bastian, who has helped steer the airline through some of the industry’s most turbulent chapters, including 9/11, bankruptcy, and the COVID-19 pandemic. As he approaches his 68th birthday in June, Bastian is also nearing his ninth year at the helm—making him the longest-serving chief executive among major U.S. airlines.
“I have a number of years to go. This is not a swan song,” Bastian told Fortune’s Shawn Tully during an interview at Delta’s Atlanta headquarters.
Still, when asked if a successor has been identified should the need arise, Bastian confirmed that the board has indeed named an heir apparent—an internal candidate—marking the first time he has publicly disclosed this contingency plan.
Delta has a longstanding tradition of promoting from within. Bastian himself joined the company in 1998 and rose through the executive ranks, serving as president and CFO before being named CEO in 2016.
Although he declined to disclose any successor names that have been floated, sources told Fortune that Delta has several strong candidates, though no obvious front-runner has emerged. Among them is CFO Dan Janki, brought on in 2021 from his role as CEO of GE’s Power business. Another potential candidate is Erik Snell, Delta’s chief customer experience officer, who, despite his relative youth, has spent nearly two decades at the airline. Additional names in the mix include Peter Carter, head of external affairs, and Allison Ausband, EVP and chief people officer.
Despite the quiet planning behind the scenes, Bastian shows no signs of slowing down. Tully notes that he appears energized, at ease, and thoroughly enjoying the role. “He clearly loves the job and the adulation that comes with doing it well.”
Ruth Umoh
ruth.umoh@fortune.com
Today’s newsletter was curated by Lily Mae Lazarus.
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