Delta Air Lines announced a slate of leadership changes on March 5, 2026, promoting a new president, naming a new chief operating officer and chief financial officer, and installing a new chief marketing and product officer. These moves are tied in part to the planned retirement of longtime operations leader John Laughter at the end of April.
Delta said it has promoted Peter Carter to President and elevated Dan Janki to Chief Operating Officer as part of the broader leadership reorganization the carrier claims will strengthen its executive team and support long-term growth.
Delta disclosed the changes in a memo sent to employees by CEO Ed Bastian. In the memo, Bastian said that the updates reflect Delta’s “deep bench of talent” and aim to reinforce the company’s culture and alignment as it plans for future growth.
Carter, a longtime Delta executive, will take on a larger role while continuing to oversee global policy and legal matters. According to Delta, his expanded duties will include the airline’s international portfolio, real estate, and sustainability and diversity teams, along with driving enterprise strategy. Bastian credited Carter with leading initiatives across the company during his decade at Delta and described him as a source of strategic insight and long-term vision.
Delta tied several of the moves to the retirement of Laughter, Executive Vice President, Chief of Operations and President of Delta TechOps. The company stated that Laughter will retire effective April 30, concluding a career of more than three decades that began in TechOps as an aircraft liaison engineer. Bastian called Laughter an exceptional leader and advocate for Delta’s people-focused culture.
With Laughter’s retirement, Janki will transition from Chief Financial Officer to Chief Operating Officer. He will then oversee all aspects of the airline’s operation, including Airport Customer Service, Flight Operations, In-Flight Service, the Operations and Customer Center, Reservation Sales and Customer Care, Technical Operations, and Corporate Safety, Security and Compliance. Bastian noted that Janki has shown operational depth and disciplined focus in the CFO role and argued that consolidating operating units under his leadership will improve alignment and coordination.
Delta has also expanded the responsibilities of Alain Bellemare, Executive Vice President and President of International, who will add the role of Chairman of Delta TechOps. Delta said that Bellemare’s experience and industry relationships place him in a strong position to support the TechOps organization.
Delta also announced that Erik Snell will become the airline’s new Chief Financial Officer. Snell joined the company 20 years ago and has led teams across operating groups, most recently serving as Chief Customer Experience Officer. In the CFO role, Snell will oversee the Finance organization, Fleet and Supply Chain teams, and Delta’s refinery subsidiary, Monroe Energy.
Delta has made additional changes in marketing leadership. The airline stated that Alicia Tillman, Chief Marketing Officer, will leave the company to pursue opportunities outside Delta. Ranjan Goswami will become Chief Marketing and Product Officer, with responsibility for marketing and product. Delta said that Goswami has helped elevate the brand and partnerships and improve travel for customers.
Delta said that Carter, Janki, Snell, and Goswami will report directly to Bastian.