Delta Air Lines paid its top executive $8 million in total compensation in 2010, down slightly from the previous year.

Chief Executive Richard Anderson's pay package included a $600,000 salary -- the same level as in 2009 -- along with stock awards valued at $6 million and $1.3 million in incentives. He also received $183,297 in other compensation such as retirement plan contributions, life insurance premiums, tax reimbursements, flight benefits and financial planning and home security services.

Delta posted a profit of $593 million in 2010, its first in three years.

In 2009, Anderson's pay package was slightly bigger at $8.4 million, including more in stock awards and other compensation.

Delta's No. 2 executive, President Ed Bastian, received $4.7 million in total compensation last year, up from $4 million the previous year. Other executives also received boosts, including Chief Operating Officer Steve Gorman, with $3.3 million in compensation; Chief Financial Officer Hank Halter, who received $2.3 million; and and Executive Vice President Glen Hauenstein, who received $2.5 million.

The compensation amounts were released Friday in Atlanta-based Delta's annual proxy report, required in advance of its annual shareholder meeting, which is June 30 in New York City.

Delta's board of directors recommended a vote for two management proposals: one for an advisory approval of compensation of its executives, and recommended a vote for approval of an advisory vote on executive compensation every year to comply with the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act.

The board also recommended a vote against a stockholder proposal for cumulative voting for the election of directors, a type of voting that strengthens the ability of smaller shareholders to elect directors.

About the Author

Keep Reading

The Cobb Galleria Centre near Cumberland Mall in Cobb County is seen on  Wednesday, May 3, 2023. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

Credit: Miguel Martinez

Featured

Peggy Harris (foreground) stocks the shelves at Sandy's IGA, which is the only grocery store in town, Tuesday, October 7, 2025, in Sparta. Hancock County has one of the highest rates of childhood food insecurity in the country. (Hyosub Shin/AJC)

Credit: Hyosub Shin/AJC