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Delta's Leadership Shift: A New Era Begins

Atlanta, USAThursday, December 18, 2025
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Delta Air Lines is saying goodbye to a key leader.

Glen Hauenstein Retires

Glen Hauenstein, Delta's president, is retiring. His last day is February 28. He has been with Delta for a long time. During his tenure, he helped Delta grow into a top global airline.

Joe Esposito Takes Over

Joe Esposito will take over Hauenstein's role. He will be the new Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer. This means he will be in charge of important areas like:

  • Network planning
  • Revenue management
  • Sales
  • Loyalty programs

Hauenstein's Legacy

Hauenstein's work has been very important for Delta. He helped the airline:

  • Expand its reach worldwide
  • Fly to six continents
  • Partner with major airlines like Virgin Atlantic, Air France-KLM, and Korean Air

He also played a big part in making Delta a leader in premium travel. He built strong commercial teams that helped Delta make more money than its competitors.

Hauenstein's Philosophy

But Hauenstein says the real reason for Delta's success is its people. He believes the 100,000 employees worldwide are what make Delta special.

Background

Before joining Delta, Hauenstein worked for other airlines. He also studied at Stetson University in Florida.

Gratitude and Excitement

Hauenstein is grateful for his time at Delta. He thanks his team, colleagues, and the entire Delta family. He is excited to see what the future holds under Joe Esposito's leadership.

Joe Esposito's Background

Esposito has been with Delta for 35 years. He has worked closely with Hauenstein. He has led teams that helped build Delta's global network and revenue premium. Esposito is ready to take on his new role. He says Hauenstein leaves behind a strong legacy of innovation.

Organizational Changes

With these changes, several other leaders will now report to Esposito. These include:

  • Steve Sear
  • Dwight James
  • Paul Baldoni
  • Roberto Ioriatti
  • Ashley Droske Westphal

They will oversee different areas like sales, customer loyalty, and network planning.

Additional Changes

  • Eric Phillips will now report to Rahul Samant
  • Holden Shannon will report to Peter Carter

These shifts show Delta is preparing for its next century of flight.

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