Delta Air Lines has named Michael Spanos as its new chief operating officer, effective next month.
“The experience and perspective Mike brings to Delta will enhance and accelerate the integration across our operational, customer experience and technology teams, aligning them to deliver an unsurpassed product and service for our customers and our employees,” Delta chief executive Ed Bastian said on 23 May.
Most recently, Spanos was president and chief executive officer of Six Flags Entertainment Corporation, “where he guided the company through the pandemic and a digital and customer-focused transformation”, Delta says.
Prior to joining Six Flags, he spent more than 25 years in a variety of positions at PepsiCo, including as chief executive officer, Asia, Middle East and North Africa, from January 2018 to November 2019.
Spanos also served in the US Marine Corps early in his career, leading units during numerous deployments, including in Desert Shield/Storm and as the senior instructor at the Field Artillery Officer Basic Course. He is a graduate of the US Naval Academy.
He will begin work at Delta on 12 June and report directly to chief executive Bastian. Chief customer experience officer Allison Ausband and chief of operations John Laughter will report to Spanos.
