Berkshire Hathaway purchased more than $2.6 billion [1] of Delta Air Lines stock during the first quarter of 2026 [2].
The investment marks a significant strategic pivot for the Omaha-based conglomerate. By returning to the airline sector, the company is reversing a long-term trend of divestment that characterized the previous era of leadership.
Greg Abel, who took over as Berkshire Hathaway's CEO, placed a fresh bet on Delta Air Lines last quarter, Theron Mohamed said [3]. This move ended a 13-quarter streak [4] in which the company sold more airline stock than it bought [5]. The acquisition signals a shift in how the conglomerate views the aviation industry's recovery and growth potential.
The move was part of a broader series of portfolio adjustments. Berkshire Hathaway more than tripled the size of its investment in Google's parent company, Alphabet, and also invested in Macy's [1].
Analysts suggest the Delta purchase is an attempt to break the cycle of losses associated with previous airline holdings. Warren Buffett sold more stock than he bought for Berkshire Hathaway in each of his last 13 quarters; Abel ended that streak with the help of a big acquisition, MSN Markets Staff said [5].
While some reports described the transaction as a purchase of the airline, official records clarify that the company acquired stock in the carrier [1]. The investment reflects Abel's willingness to deviate from his predecessor's recent patterns to seek new value in the U.S. transportation sector.
“Berkshire Hathaway bought over $2.6 billion worth of Delta Airlines stock.”
The shift from a 13-quarter selling streak to a multi-billion dollar purchase indicates that the new leadership at Berkshire Hathaway has a different risk appetite or outlook for the airline industry than Warren Buffett. By aggressively increasing stakes in Delta and Alphabet, Greg Abel is signaling a transition toward a more active acquisition strategy to drive growth in a post-Buffett era.
