Delta President Glen Hauenstein will retire next year after over 20 years with the airline.
In a memo to employees, CEO Ed Bastian said Hauenstein will retire effective Feb. 28, 2026, and continue as a strategic consultant until the end of the year.
“Glen’s vision and strategic mindset have been essential in transforming Delta into the leading global airline we are today,” Bastian said.
Joe Esposito, who works closely with Hauenstein, will take over network planning, revenue management, sales, and loyalty programs as executive vice president and COO.
Hauenstein joined Delta in 2005. He previously worked for Continental and Alitalia.
Bastian credited Hauenstein with leading Delta’s transformation from a primarily domestic operator to a global airline with a presence on six continents. He was also instrumental in securing joint ventures with partners like Virgin Atlantic, Air France-KLM, LATAM, and Korean Air.
“His impact on Delta, and the industry overall, cannot be overstated,” Bastian said.
“I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity to serve the people and customers of Delta over the past two decades,” Hauenstein said in a news release. “I want to thank my team members, colleagues, and the entire Delta family for their support and dedication to our shared goal of building the world’s greatest airline. I’m excited to see us embark into our next century under Joe’s leadership.”
Esposito has worked at Delta since 1990. He currently serves as Delta’s senior vice president of network planning, pricing, and revenue management.
