Berkshire Hathaway Reinvests in Airlines with $2.6B Delta Stake
In a dramatic reversal of its pandemic-era exit from the airline sector, Berkshire Hathaway has disclosed a new $2.6 billion investment in Delta Air Lines, marking the conglomerate’s return to an industry it abandoned six years ago.
The Omaha-based investment giant built a position comprising 39.8 million shares, representing a 6.1% stake in Delta. This makes it Berkshire’s 14th-largest holding as of the end of March 2026. The disclosure, filed on May 15, 2026, sent Delta shares up more than 3% in after-hours trading.
The move is particularly notable as it represents the first major regulatory filing under newly installed CEO Greg Abel, who took the reins at Berkshire this year after Warren Buffett stepped down following six decades at the helm. Buffett, 95, remains chairman and continues to consult on major investment decisions.
In 2020, Buffett stunned investors by selling Berkshire’s entire $4 billion airline portfolio across United, American, Southwest, and Delta, citing the pandemic’s fundamental impact on travel patterns. The new investment suggests confidence in the sector’s post-pandemic recovery, though airlines now face rising fuel costs amid Middle East conflicts.
Berkshire also revealed it more than tripled its stake in Alphabet and initiated a new position in Macy’s valued at approximately $55 million, while exiting holdings including:
- Amazon
- Visa
- Mastercard
- UnitedHealth Group
Source: CNBC