Delta made $2 billion in profit during the fourth quarter, and the CEO sees more blue skies ahead

Delta Air Lines earned $2 billion in the fourth quarter, posted record full-year revenue, and says it's buying more planes to boost its international flying.

The airline said Friday that it will buy 20 Airbus A350s and take options to buy 20 more of the long-range jetliners. Delta expects to get the first ones in 2026.

The A350s will have more premium seating than the planes they replace, which will play into Delta's strategy of pursuing high-end travelers who are more insulated from ups and downs in the economy.

Airlines were helped in 2023 by strong demand for travel from people who had spent most of the pandemic cooped up at home. Delta passengers flew 19% more miles last year than they did in 2022.