Delta Air Lines reported its 2018 Q1 net income jumped 31% to US$730m from $557m in the year-ago quarter. Operating revenue was up 5.1% to $10.5b, a new Q1 record. Evidence of solid fundamental trends at Delta has the airline bullish about its full-year 2019 performance and should indicate positive momentum for some competitors as well. The carrier grew year-over-year unit-revenues, or TRASM, 2.4% in Q1 to 16.70 cents, and sees the Q2 figure as being up 1.5%-3.5%, stronger than its most recent 1.5% guidance. Delta executives credit several factors for the strong revenue environment, including gains from a new American Express loyalty program and select international markets. But the most encouraging sign came in leisure fares. <br/>
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Delta Air Lines Inc. will reduce the amount that seats recline on some planes by about 2 inches, aiming to preserve the workspace of multitasking business travellers. The first Airbus A320s to get the modified seats will debut this weekend, the carrier said Friday. The distance that seats recline will drop to 3.5 inches from 5.4 in first class, and to 2 inches from 4 in Comfort Plus and coach. The A320s generally are used on flights of 2 hours or less. The change -- made in response to customer complaints -- should make life easier for business travellers trying to work on laptops perched on tray tables, often while viewing mobile phones and seat-back video screens, Delta said. “It’s all about protecting customers’ personal space and minimising disruptions to multitasking in flight,” the airline said. <br/>