Delta says its new upselling techniques will help it weather downturn

Delta's CFO said Thursday that the carrier is ready for an economic downturn — it’s just not seeing one yet. An economic downturn “might be two years down the road, it might be five years down the road, but at the end of the day, we’ve been studying for this final exam for a long time, and we feel the company is very well positioned, whatever the economic cycles might be, to continue to thrive,” Paul Jacobson said. The IMF warned last month of a “synchronized slowdown” in global growth amid trade conflicts, while strong consumer spending has buoyed the US economy. Delta was hit by the Great Recession shortly after it had emerged from bankruptcy and then acquired Northwest, setting off a musical chairs of mergers among US airlines that has left four carriers in control of about three-quarters of the US market. The Atlanta-based airline, the country’s most profitable and largest by market capitalization, has been growing alternative revenue streams, such as its growing partnership with American Express and its new engine repair facility at its headquarters. The airline this week livened up its international economy class, with more snacks and a free Bellini cocktail, to try to one-up competitors. The airline has been successful at getting passengers to pay higher fares, particularly toward the front of the plane. Story has more.<br/>