Overview

Gender

male

Richard Anderson is the executive chairman of Delta’s Board of Directors and served as Delta’s chief executive officer until May 2016.

Through the vision of Richard’s leadership team, Delta is a values-based company that is strategically and creatively reengineering the airline business model. The airline has reinvigorated a culture known for high employee engagement and gracious customer service. Under Richard’s leadership, the airline is reducing debt, strengthening revenues and thinking differently about cost control to build a flexible, stable and more durable business.

Delta continues to extend its reach for customers through partnerships such as its trans-Atlantic joint venture with Air France-KLM and Alitalia, equity based partnerships with Virgin Atlantic Airways and leading Latin American airlines GOL and Aeromexico, and preferred codeshare agreements with China Southern and China Eastern airlines, as well as the Alaska Airlines Group along the U.S. West Coast.

In 2013 and 2011, Delta topped Fortune’s Most Admired Airlines list, a worldwide ranking based on people management, quality of management, innovation, long-term investment, social responsibility, quality of product and services and global competitiveness.

Richard’s more than 25 years of aviation experience began in 1987 at Continental Airlines. In 1990, he began a 14-year career at Northwest Airlines where he progressed to chief executive officer from 2001 to 2004. In September 2007, Richard joined Delta from United Health Group.

Richard currently serves as member of the International Air Transport Association Board of Governors as well as a director on the Boards of Medtronic Inc. and Cargill. He recently served as chairman of the Airlines for America Board of Directors.

A native of Galveston, Texas, Richard holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Houston – Clear Lake and Juris Doctorate from South Texas College of Law.