© Reuters. FILE PHOTO: Delta Air Lines passenger planes are seen parked at Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport in Birmingham, Alabama, U.S. March 25, 2020. REUTERS/Elijah Nouvelage/File Photo
(Reuters) -Delta Air Lines reaffirmed its first-quarter profit forecast on Tuesday on resilient international travel demand.
Major U.S. airlines with international operations have experienced a surge in demand for long-haul flights, as a stronger dollar prompts more Americans to consider overseas travel for leisure.
Airlines have also benefited from a post-pandemic boom in demand for high-margin premium services.
The airline expects its first-quarter adjusted profit per share in the range of 25 cents to 50 cents per share, compared with analysts’ average expectations of 36 cents.
It also expects to deliver year-over-year total revenue growth in the top half of the initial guidance range for the March quarter. The company had earlier forecast first-quarter revenue growth in the range of 3% to 6%.
Delta also reaffirmed its 2024 profit per share forecast of $6 to $7.
