Virgin’s US partner Delta Air Lines saw a 22% increase in net income in the last quarter to $1 billion.
It made a pre-tax income of $2.4 billion.
"Delta’s record results have allowed the company to invest in its employees through higher wage rates and profit sharing; improve the experience for our customers through new aircraft and innovative partnerships with global carriers; and uniquely deliver value for our shareholders by accelerating our capital returns while also paying down debt," said CEO Richard Anderson.
"We have more work and opportunity ahead of us on all of these fronts as we continue to execute on our long-term plan."
He said fuel savings in the next quarter should enable the airline to produce more record results.
The airline claimed to have seen ‘solid progress’ with several of its revenue-boosting initiatives, including Branded Fares, which increased passenger revenues by $56 million. An enhanced agreement with American Express produced an incremental $60 million in revenue.
"Our commercial initiatives continue to gain traction in the marketplace and we will produce summer margins in excess of any achieved in our history," said president Ed Bastian.
However, revenue on transatlantic routes was down almost 7% following a 5% increase in capacity.
"We continue to project flat system capacity growth for the fourth quarter of 2015 – a level in line with current demand expectations, which should put the business on the right trajectory to stem the erosion in unit revenues by the end of the year," added Bastian.
