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Fortune

Sydney Lake

Delta's CEO spent 15 years turning the airline into a premium brand. Now it commands 20% more per seat than rivals

Delta Ed Bastian Alyson Shontell Fortune AMEX

(Credit: Getty Images—Andrew Harnik)

Delta Air Lines CEO Ed Bastian has never wavered in his commitment the same bet: that Americans will pay more for a better experience in the sky.

Fifteen years in, the strategy is paying off. The airline now commands roughly 20% more revenue per seat than its competitors, and premium cabin revenue is on the verge of overtaking main cabin for the first time in the company’s 100-year history.

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