Delta CEO Celebrates Team USA in Milan on Profit Sharing Day

Delta transported thousands of Americans, including athletes and broadcast partners, to the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan.

Published on Feb. 13, 2026

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Delta Air Lines CEO Ed Bastian visited Milan, Italy, this week to celebrate the airline's role in bringing Team USA to the 2026 Winter Olympics. As the official airline of the Olympics, Delta transported athletes, broadcast partners, and thousands of Americans to the games. Bastian spoke about the partnership aligning with Delta's values of excellence and unity, and highlighted special touches like Team USA-branded planes. The visit coincided with Delta's annual Profit Sharing Day, when employees receive a share of the airline's 2025 profits.

Why it matters

Delta's partnership with the Olympics reinforces the airline's commitment to excellence and unity, values that are especially important in a world that needs more togetherness. The profit sharing with employees also demonstrates Delta's dedication to its workforce and the local Atlanta economy, where a large contingent of Delta employees are based.

The details

As the official airline of the Olympics, Delta transported Team USA athletes, broadcast partners, and thousands of Americans to Milan for the 2026 Winter Games. Bastian spoke about the pride of representing the U.S. with Team USA-branded planes and the opportunity to celebrate athletes like figure skater Amber Glenn and bobsledder Elana Meyers Taylor. He also expressed support for skier Lindsey Vonn, who suffered an injury during competition. Bastian praised Milan as an enthusiastic and welcoming host city.

  • Delta's annual Profit Sharing Day was on Friday, February 13, 2026.

The players

Ed Bastian

The CEO of Delta Air Lines.

Amber Glenn

A figure skater competing for Team USA at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan.

Elana Meyers Taylor

A legendary bobsledder competing for Team USA at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan.

Lindsey Vonn

A skier who suffered an injury during competition at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan.

Delta Air Lines

The official airline of the Olympics, responsible for transporting Team USA athletes, broadcast partners, and thousands of Americans to the 2026 Winter Games in Milan.

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What they’re saying

“The Olympic movement stands for a pattern of excellence, and we all want to be part of that. It just lifts everybody.”

— Ed Bastian, CEO, Delta Air Lines (11Alive)

“We talk about keep climbing, and excellence is our standard. You combine that with unity. And as we all know, our world needs people together more than ever, making the world a smaller place, which I know is also part of what we do better than anyone.”

— Ed Bastian, CEO, Delta Air Lines (11Alive)

“There's nothing that we take more pride in than when you can have your country's colors and flag wrapped around your plane. When you're representing your country, and we like to think of our people as they bring the athletes to perform, are representing our country, it's a proud moment.”

— Ed Bastian, CEO, Delta Air Lines (11Alive)

“Love the Meyers family and Eddie's her father, is a very good friend of mine and great to be able to have the full Meyers clan with us.”

— Ed Bastian, CEO, Delta Air Lines (11Alive)

“It was just sad to watch and we just pray for Lindsey's full recovery. Really proud that she pushed herself to get there. As she said, she was at the start and no one gave her a shot to get there, so she had already won.”

— Ed Bastian, CEO, Delta Air Lines (11Alive)

What’s next

Delta plans to continue its partnership with the Olympics, transporting athletes and fans to future games.

The takeaway

Delta's support of the Olympics and its employees demonstrates the airline's commitment to excellence, unity, and community. By transporting Team USA and celebrating profit sharing with its workforce, Delta is positioning itself as a leader in the travel industry and a champion of American pride.