Sample Business Contracts


Employment Agreement - Delta Air Lines Inc. and Frederick W. Reid

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                           [Delta Air Lines, Inc. Letterhead]
Leo F. Mullin
President and
Chief Executive Officer

                                  June 5, 1998





Mr. Frederick W. Reid
Heinrich von Kleist Strabe 42
61350 Bad Homburg, Germany

Dear Fred:

I am pleased to confirm my verbal offer of employment for the position of
Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) for Delta Air Lines,
Inc. (Delta or the Company), commencing on the date you accept this letter
agreement, with your active employment beginning on a date to be mutually agreed
upon which shall not be later than September 1, 1998. In this assignment, you
will report directly to me.

Your initial and minimum base salary will be $500,000 per annum, payable in
accordance with the usual payment practices of the Company.

With respect to each fiscal year beginning with the fiscal year ending June 30,
1999, during which you are employed by the Company, you will be eligible to
receive in addition to your base salary an annual incentive compensation award
(Annual Award) for services rendered during such fiscal year, subject to the
terms and conditions of the Company's annual incentive compensation plan as in
effect from time to time. Except as provided in the immediately following
paragraph, the amount of the Annual Award, if any, with respect to any fiscal
year will be based upon performance targets and award levels determined by the
Personnel & Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors (or any successor
committee designated by the Board) in its sole discretion, in accordance with
the Company's annual incentive compensation plan as in effect from time to time;
provided that for each fiscal year beginning with the fiscal year ending June
30, 1999, your target award level shall be established in such a manner as to
provide you with the opportunity to earn an award of at least 57.5% of your base
salary for such fiscal year, assuming performance at the target level.


<PAGE>



Notwithstanding the preceding paragraph, you will receive an Annual Award not
less than $300,000 with respect to fiscal year 1999, unless your employment is
terminated by the Company for Cause prior to June 30, 1999; provided, that if
your employment terminates for any reason other than Cause prior to June 30,
1999, the applicable minimum amount shall be reduced by multiplication by a
fraction, the numerator of which is the number of days from July 1, 1998 through
the date of termination of your employment, and the denominator of which is 365.

You will also be a participant in the 1989 Stock Incentive Plan in accordance
with the terms of that Plan. You will be granted an initial award of
nonqualified stock options on 125,000 shares of Delta common stock. The award
date will be the date of your acceptance of this letter agreement, and the
exercise price will be the closing price of Delta common stock on the New York
Stock Exchange on the day prior to the public announcement of your joining the
Company. These options will vest in 20% increments on each of the first five
anniversaries of the award date, subject to the terms and conditions set forth
in the award agreement attached as Exhibit A. Future grants, if any, will be in
accordance with the Plan.

To compensate you for benefits which you are forfeiting by resigning from
Lufthansa to accept a position with the Company, you will be granted 3,000
shares of restricted Delta common stock, which will vest in equal amounts (1,000
shares) on each of the first, second, and third anniversaries of the date of
your acceptance of this letter agreement. This restricted stock award is subject
to the terms and conditions set forth in the award agreement attached as Exhibit
B.

Through the end of April 2002, Delta will provide reimbursement for the premium
payments, plus full tax gross-up on the premium payments, for your current $3.2
million life insurance policy. Currently, the approximate annual premium is
$63,000.

Delta will provide reimbursement for the reasonable cost of your legal counsel
in connection with the negotiation and preparation of this agreement. While
employed by the Company, you will be entitled to such fringe benefits as are
provided to Executive Vice Presidents of the Company, including free and


                                       2
<PAGE>



reduced-rate travel, automobile allowance, initiation fees and monthly dues for
one country club membership, and similar programs as in effect from time to
time.

Except as otherwise provided in this letter agreement, your employment with
Delta will be subject to Delta's standard policies and will be governed by the
terms and conditions of the Personnel Practices Manual, as may be amended from
time to time hereafter. You will be provided with vacation, sick leave, and paid
holidays in accordance with Delta's standard policy regarding these benefits for
Executive Vice Presidents of the Company.

You will also be eligible to participate in Delta's standard benefit programs,
as amended from time to time, including the following:

1. DeltaFlex, our flexible benefits plan, which provides you with a menu of
choices for medical, dental, life insurance, and disability benefits.

2. The Officer Life Insurance program.

3. The Delta Family-Care Disability and Survivorship Plan, which provides
certain disability benefits to you and certain benefits in the event of your
death.

4. The Delta Family-Care Retirement Plan benefit will accrue from the date you
join Delta. In addition, Delta has a nonqualified plan which will cover any
excess benefits not payable by the Delta Family-Care Retirement Plan (due to
Section 415 or 401(a)(17) limitations). For purposes of both vesting and benefit
accrual, you will be deemed to have eleven (11) additional years of service with
Delta, provided that you complete at least three (3) years of actual service as
an employee with Delta. The additional benefit will be paid under the
nonqualified plan.

5. After one year of service, the Delta Family-Care Savings Plan, which
currently features pre-tax or post-tax employee contributions of up to 12% (up
to the limits of the Internal Revenue Code), and at 50% match of your
contributions on the first 4% of salary, with Delta's maximum contribution equal
to 2% of your salary.



                                       3
<PAGE>



The Company will pay all costs of relocation of you and your family to the
Atlanta metropolitan area in accordance with the Company's relocation policy
supplemented as follows:

     (a) Reasonable temporary living expenses for you and your family in the
Atlanta metropolitan area for a period not to exceed six months from the date
you commence your duties with the Company;

     (b) If you so elect prior to July 1, 1999, the Company will purchase from
you your primary residence as of the date hereof. The purchase price will be
equal to the average of the estimates of the fair market value of the residence
as determined, within 30 days of such election, by two reputable and independent
professional real estate appraisers, one of which will be selected by you and
one of which will be selected by the Company;

     (c) The weight limitation for movement of your household effects will be
waived;

     (d) The Company will pay up to two discount points with respect to one
mortgage financing of your initial new residence in the Atlanta metropolitan
area; and

     (e) The Company will absorb any income tax liability resulting from
relocation benefits provided on your behalf.

Your eligibility for severance benefits is summarized below:

Change in Control
-----------------

Your eligibility for benefits in conjunction with a Change in Control will be
governed by Delta's Retention Protection Agreement applicable to Executive
Vice Presidents of the Company.

Termination for Cause or Without Good Reason
--------------------------------------------

No severance benefit provided.


                                       4
<PAGE>



Termination Without Cause or For Good Reason*
---------------------------------------------

If your employment is terminated prior to July 1, 2001 (other than by reason of
death or disability) by the Company without Cause or by you with Good Reason,
you will receive: (1) the balance of your then current base salary and then
current target incentive compensation plan award through July 1, 2001 (subject
to a minimum of twelve (12) months of such salary and award), (2) immediate
vesting of any unvested stock option and restricted stock awards which you have
been granted under the terms of this letter agreement, and (3) immediate vesting
of all accrued retirement plan benefits, including your eleven (11) additional
years of service credit. For purposes of this letter agreement, the terms
"Cause" and "Good Reason" (and related terms) shall have the meanings set forth
in Exhibit C accompanying this letter agreement.

Termination After Death or Disability*
--------------------------------------

If your employment is terminated due to death or disability prior to July 1,
2001, you will receive: (1) such death or disability benefits as shall then be
maintained by the Company for which you or your survivors are eligible; (2)
immediate vesting of any unvested stock option and restricted stock awards which
you have been granted under the terms of this letter agreement, and (3)
immediate vesting of all accrued retirement plan benefits, including your eleven
(11) additional years of service credit.

In the event of any conflict between the terms of this letter agreement and the
terms of any other agreement, award or arrangement contemplated hereby, the
terms of this letter agreement shall control. This letter agreement supersedes
all prior discussions and documentation concerning your compensation
arrangements with the Company.



--------------------
* In the event a Qualifing Event (as defined in your Retention Protection
Agreement) occurs during the term of your Retention Protection Agreement, the
Retention Protection Agreement shall apply instead of these provisions.



                                       5
<PAGE>

This offer shall remain open for your acceptance until 5:00 p.m. eastern time,
on Monday, June 15, 1998. If the terms outlined above reflect your understanding
of our offer and you accept employment based on these terms, please indicate
your acceptance by signing the two original letters provided. Please keep one
letter for your records and return the other to me.

Fred, we are extremely pleased to have you join the Delta team, and I look
forward with great pleasure to our association with you in this important role
at Delta. I anticipate benefiting from your expertise, and I believe you will
help us establish a winning formula for success in the future.

Sincerely,

/s/ Leo F. Mullin



                                     Accepted and agreed to this
                                     9th day of June, 1998



                                     /s/ Frederick W. Reid
                                     ---------------------
                                     Frederick W. Reid




<PAGE>





                                                                       Exhibit A
                                                                       ---------

                    NONQUALIFIED STOCK OPTION AWARD AGREEMENT
                       UNDER THE 1989 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN

                                  June 9, 1998

Frederick W. Reid
Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer

         The 1989 Stock Incentive Plan of Delta Air Lines, Inc., as amended
("Plan"), is intended as an inducement for officers, executives and key
employees of Delta Air Lines, Inc. (the "Company") to continue in the employment
of the Company, and to provide a greater incentive to such employees to make
material contributions to the Company's success by increasing their proprietary
interest in the Company through increased direct stock ownership. The Plan,
which provides for certain awards to eligible employees, is administered by the
Personnel & Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors (the "Committee").
Pursuant to the Plan, the Committee selected you to receive an award of a
Nonqualified Stock Option under the Plan, effective as of the close of business
on June 9, 1998, and has instructed me, on behalf of the Company, to provide
this Agreement to you.

         In consideration of the mutual covenants herein contained and for other
good and valuable consideration, the Company and you as an employee of the
Company (hereinafter called "Employee"), do hereby agree as follows:

         1. The Company hereby grants to Employee a Nonqualified Stock Option
("Stock Option") covering 125,000 shares of Stock, as defined in the Plan, a
copy of which has been furnished to Employee. This award is in all respects made
subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan and, by signing and returning a
copy of this Agreement to the Secretary of the Company, Employee acknowledges
that he has read this Agreement and the Plan and agrees to all of the terms and
conditions thereof for himself, any designated beneficiary and his heirs,
executors, administrators or personal representatives. Terms used in this
Agreement which are defined in the Plan shall have the meanings set forth in the
Plan. In the event of any conflict between the Plan and this Agreement, the Plan
shall control. Employee also acknowledges receipt of the Prospectus dated
October 23, 1997, relating to the Plan.

         2. The Option Price of the Stock Option covered by this award shall be
the closing price of the Stock on the New York Stock Exchange (the "NYSE") on
June 9, 1998, the date of this award.

         3. Subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan and the other
provisions of this Agreement, the Stock Option shall become exercisable in
installments as follows, provided Employee continues to be employed by the
Company on the dates indicated:



                                      
<PAGE>



         Number of Shares with
         Respect to which Option
         First Becomes Exercisable                  Date
         -------------------------                  ----

                                                  
                  25,000                            June 9, 1999
                  25,000                            June 9, 2000
                  25,000                            June 9, 2001
                  25,000                            June 9, 2002
                  25,000                            June 9, 2003


In the event of the occurrence prior to July 1, 2001 of the termination of
Employee's employment (i) by the Company without Cause, (ii) by Employee with
Good Reason or (iii) by reason of Employee's death or Disability (as defined in
the Plan), the Stock Option shall immediately become fully exercisable, and the
termination of Employee's employment will be treated, for purposes of
determining the terms of exercise of the Stock Option under Section 10(b) of the
Plan, as having occurred because of Employee's Retirement. For purposes of this
Agreement, the terms "Cause" and "Good Reason" shall have the respective
meanings assigned such terms in Annex A attached hereto.

         4. Subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan and the other
provisions of this Agreement, including Paragraph 8 below, the Stock Option
granted to Employee herein may be exercised during the period beginning as set
forth in Paragraph 3 above and ending June 8, 2008, except as provided in
Sections 5 and 10 of the Plan. Subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan,
Employee (or, if Employee is deceased, a party acting on his behalf pursuant to
Section 10 of the Plan) may exercise the Stock Option granted herein in whole
or, from time to time, in part by way of a written notice delivered to the
Secretary of the Company which includes the following: (i) name, mailing address
and social security number of Employee and the date, which shall be actual date
of the notice; (ii) the number of shares of Stock with respect to which the
Stock Option is being exercised; (iii) the date of grant and the Option Price
with respect to the Stock Option being exercised; and (iv) the signature of
Employee or a party acting on behalf of a deceased employee. Payment of the full
purchase price of the shares of Stock covered by the exercise shall be made in
the manner prescribed by the Committee from time to time. If the Committee, in
its sole discretion, shall determine that it is appropriate to do so, such
payment may be made in whole or in part by tender of shares of unrestricted
Stock, as set forth in Section 5 of the Plan, subject to such requirements or
procedures as the Committee may specify.

         5. When the Stock Option is exercised, the Company shall make the
appropriate calculations under the Plan and deliver to Employee, as soon as
practicable, a certificate or certificates representing the net number of shares
of Stock due to Employee pursuant to such exercise, calculated in accordance
with this paragraph. Unless other tax withholding arrangements are made by
Employee and the Company, the Company shall withhold from the shares of Stock
issued to Employee a sufficient number of shares of Stock based on its fair
market value on the date of exercise to cover any amounts which the Company is
required to withhold to comply with withholding requirements of federal, state
or local tax laws, rules or regulations. The fair market value for purposes of
the second sentence of this paragraph shall be as reasonably determined by the
Committee.
                     

                                       2
<PAGE>



         6. The Stock Option granted herein is not transferable otherwise than
by will, by the laws of descent and distribution, or by a written designation
referred to in Section 10(c) of the Plan, and is exercisable during Employee's
lifetime only by Employee. In the event that the Stock Option is exercised
pursuant to Section 10 of the Plan by any person other than Employee, such
notice shall be accompanied by appropriate proof of the right of such person to
exercise the Stock Option.

         7. The Stock Option granted herein is subject to all terms of the Plan,
including but not limited to Section 10(b), which provides for the forfeiture of
certain benefits in certain circumstances in the event of Employee's Retirement
prior to his normal retirement date.

         8. Employee acknowledges that the federal securities laws and/or the
Company's policies regarding trading in its securities may limit or restrict
Employee's right to buy or sell shares of Stock, including, without limitation,
sales of Stock to exercise the Stock Option or sales of Stock acquired pursuant
to the exercise of the Stock Option. Employee agrees to comply with such federal
securities law requirements and Company policies, as such laws and policies are
amended from time to time.

         This Agreement has been prepared in duplicate. Please note your
acceptance in the space provided therefor and return the original for the
Company's records.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company, acting through its duly authorized
officer, has caused this Agreement to be duly executed, and Employee has
hereunto set his hand, all as of the day and year first written above.


                       DELTA AIR LINES, INC.

                       BY
                         ----------------------------
                       Leo F. Mullin
                       President and Chief Executive Officer

                       EMPLOYEE

                       -----------------------------------
                       Frederick W. Reid



                                       3
<PAGE>

                                                                         ANNEX A

"Cause" means the occurrence of any one or more of the following:

         (a) A demonstrably willful and deliberate act or failure to act by you
(other than as a result of incapacity due to physical or mental illness) which
is committed in bad faith, without reasonable belief that such action or
inaction is in the best interests of the Company, and which action or inaction
is not remedied within fifteen business days of written notice from the Company;
or

         (b) Your conviction for committing an act of fraud, embezzlement,
theft, or any other act constituting a felony involving moral turpitude.

         Notwithstanding the foregoing, you shall not be deemed to have been
terminated for Cause unless and until there shall have been delivered to you a
copy of a resolution duly adopted by the affirmative vote (which cannot be
delegated) of not less than three-quarters of the entire membership of the Board
of Directors at a meeting of the Board called and held for such purpose (after
reasonable notice to you and an opportunity for you, together with your counsel,
to be heard before the Board), finding that, in the good faith opinion of the
Board, you are guilty of conduct set forth above in clauses (a) or (b) of this
definition and specifying the particulars thereof in detail.

"Effective Date" means June 9, 1998.

 "Good Reason" means the occurrence of any one or more of the following, unless
you have expressly consented in writing thereto:

         (a) The assignment to you of duties inconsistent with your authorities,
duties, titles, responsibilities and status as an officer of the Company, or a
reduction or alteration in the nature or status of your authorities, duties,
titles or responsibilities, from those in effect as of the Effective Date, other
than an insubstantial and inadvertent act that is remedied by the Company
promptly after receipt of notice thereof given by you;

         (b) The Company's requiring you to be based at a location in excess of
50 miles from your principal job location or office on the later of (i) the
Effective Date or (ii) immediately prior to the Reference Date; except for
required travel on the Company's business to an extent consistent with your
business travel obligations on the later of (i) the Effective Date or (ii)
immediately prior to the Reference Date;

         (c) A reduction by the Company of your base salary as in effect on the
later of (i) the Effective Date or (ii) the Reference Date (other than pursuant
to a reduction by a uniform percentage of the salary of all full-time domestic
employees of the Company who are not subject to a collective bargaining
agreement); or a reduction in your short-term or long-term incentive
compensation opportunities under the executive incentive compensation plans of
the Company for which you are eligible as in effect on the later of (i) the
Effective Date or (ii) the Reference Date;



<PAGE>


         (d) The failure by the Company to keep in effect compensation,
retirement, health and welfare benefits, or perquisite programs under which you
receive benefits substantially similar, in the aggregate, to the benefits under
such programs as exist on the later of (i) the Effective Date or (ii)
immediately prior to the Reference Date (other than pursuant to an equivalent
reduction in such benefits of all full-time domestic employees of the Company
who are not subject to a collective bargaining agreement); or the failure of the
Company to meet the funding requirements, if any, of any of such programs; or

         (e) Any material breach by the Company of its obligations under the
letter agreement to which this Annex A relates or any failure of a successor of
the Company to assume and agree to perform the Company's entire obligations
under that letter agreement, provided that such successor has received at least
ten days written notice from the Company or you of the requirement to assume
those obligations.

"Reference Date" means the date 90 days prior to the termination of your
employment.


                                        2


<PAGE>


                                                                       Exhibit B
                                                                       ---------


                        RESTRICTED STOCK AWARD AGREEMENT
                       UNDER THE 1989 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN

                                  June 9, 1998

Frederick W. Reid
Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer

         The 1989 Stock Incentive Plan of Delta Air Lines, Inc., as amended
("Plan"), is intended as an inducement for officers, executives and key
employees of Delta Air Lines, Inc. (the "Company") to continue in the employment
of the Company, and to provide a greater incentive to such employees to make
material contributions to the Company's success by increasing their proprietary
interest in the Company through increased direct stock ownership. The Plan,
which provides for certain awards to eligible employees, is administered by the
Personnel & Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors (the "Committee").
Pursuant to the Plan, the Committee has selected you to receive an award of
Restricted Stock (as defined in the Plan) effective as of the close of business
on June 9, 1998, and has instructed me to direct this letter to you.

         In consideration of the mutual covenants herein contained and for other
good and valuable consideration, the Company and you as an employee of the
Company (hereinafter called "Employee"), do hereby agree as follows:

          1. Grant of Shares. Pursuant to action of the Committee, the Company
hereby grants to Employee 3,000 shares of Restricted Stock (the "Shares"). This
award is in all respects made subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan, a
copy of which has been provided to Employee, and by signing and returning a copy
of this Agreement to the Secretary of the Company, Employee acknowledges that he
has read the Plan and agrees to all of the terms and conditions thereof for
himself, any designated beneficiary and his heirs, executors, administrators or
personal representatives. Terms used in this Agreement which are defined in the
Plan shall have the meanings set forth in the Plan. In the event of any conflict
between the Plan and this Agreement, the Plan shall control. Employee also
acknowledges receipt of the Prospectus dated October 23, 1997, relating to the
Plan.

              As soon as practicable following Employee's execution of this
Agreement and the stock power described below in Section 6, a certificate or
certificates representing the Shares and bearing the legend described below in
Section 6 shall be issued to Employee. Upon issuance of the certificates
representing the Shares, Employee shall have all rights of a stockholder with
respect to the Shares, including the right to vote and, subject to Section 10 of
this Agreement, to receive all dividends or other distributions paid or made
with respect to the Shares; provided, however, that the Shares (and any
securities of the Company which may be issued with respect to the Shares by
virtue of any dividend reinvestment, stock split, combination, stock dividend or
recapitalization, which securities shall be deemed to be "Shares" hereunder)
shall be subject to the terms and all of the restrictions set forth in this
Agreement.



<PAGE>


          2. Restriction. Until the restriction imposed by this Section 2 (the
"Restriction") has lapsed pursuant to Section 3 or 4 below, Employee shall not
be permitted to sell, exchange, assign, transfer, pledge or otherwise dispose of
the Shares and the Shares shall be subject to forfeiture as set forth in Section
5 below.

          3. Lapse of Restriction by Passage of Time. The Restriction shall
lapse and have no further force or effect as to 33-1/3% of such Shares
(including 33-1/3% of any additional Shares which at the time have been
purchased with dividends on such Shares) on each of June 9, 1999, 2000 and 2001,
provided Employee remains employed by the Company on such dates.

          4. Lapse of Restriction in Certain Cases. The Restriction shall lapse
and have no further force or effect with respect to all Shares hereunder upon
the occurrence prior to July 1, 2001 of the termination of Employee's employment
(i) by the Company without Cause, (ii) by Employee with Good Reason or (iii) by
reason of Employee's death or Disability (as defined in the Plan). For purposes
of this Agreement, the terms "Cause" and "Good Reason" shall have the respective
meanings assigned such terms in Annex A attached hereto. Employee may provide to
the Company written designation naming a person or persons who shall receive the
Shares in the event of Employee's death, and such designation must be in a form
approved by counsel for the Company. If there is no such approved designation,
Shares shall be distributed upon Employee's death pursuant to Employee's last
will and testament or as provided by law.

          5. Forfeiture of Shares. In the event of termination of Employee's
employment with the Company other than in the circumstances described in clauses
(i), (ii) or (iii) of Section 4 and prior to lapse of the Restriction under
Section 3, Employee shall immediately forfeit all right, title and interest to
the Shares which are still subject to the Restriction, and such Shares shall be
canceled or transferred to the Company by Employee, without consideration to
Employee or his heirs, executors, administrators or personal representatives.

          6. Endorsement and Retention of Certificates. All certificates
representing the Shares shall be endorsed on the face thereof with the following
legend:

         "The shares of stock represented by this certificate and the sale,
         transfer or other disposition of such shares are restricted by and
         subject to a Restricted Stock Award Agreement dated June 9, 1998
         between Frederick W. Reid and the Company, a copy of which is on file
         with the Secretary of the Company."

         All certificates for Shares shall be held by the Company until the
restrictions thereon shall have lapsed and, as a condition to this award,
Employee shall execute and deliver to the Company a stock power, endorsed in
blank and approved by counsel for the Company, relating to the Shares, as set
forth in the Plan.

                   Upon lapse of the Restriction pursuant to Section 3 or 4 of
this Agreement without a prior forfeiture of the Shares, a certificate or
certificates for an appropriate number of unrestricted Shares shall be delivered
to Employee and the certificate with the legend indicated above shall be
canceled.





                                        2


<PAGE>


          7. Withholding Taxes. Upon lapse of the Restriction on the Shares
pursuant to Section 3 or 4 above, unless other tax withholding arrangements are
made by Employee and the Company, sufficient Shares shall be transferred to the
Company to provide for the payment of any taxes required to be withheld by
federal, state, or local law with respect to income resulting from such lapse.
The value of the Shares so transferred shall be the closing price of the Common
Stock on the NYSE on the date the Restriction lapses (or, in the event that no
sale of the Common Stock takes place on the NYSE on such date, the closing price
of the Common Stock on the NYSE on the immediately preceding date on which such
a sale occurred).

          8. Rights Not Enlarged. Nothing herein confers on Employee any right
to continue in the employ of the Company or any of its subsidiaries.

          9. Succession. This Agreement shall be binding upon and operate for
the benefit of the Company and its successors and assigns, and Employee and his
heirs, executors, administrators or personal representatives.

          10. Dividends. Any cash dividends which may become payable on the
Shares shall be reinvested by the Company in shares of Common Stock, to the
extent Shares are available under the Plan. If shares are not so available,
dividends shall be paid in cash and held by the Company for the account of
Employee until the Restriction lapses. In such event the Company shall pay
interest on the amount so held as determined by the Committee, and the
accumulated amount of such dividends and interest shall be payable to Employee
upon the lapse of the Restriction. Those Shares and any cash held for the
account of the Employee shall be governed by the Restriction set forth in the
Agreement; the Restriction with respect to such Shares and such cash shall lapse
as provided in Sections 3 and 4 of this Agreement; and such shares and such cash
shall be forfeited pursuant to Section 5 to the extent that the Shares on which
such dividends were paid shall be so forfeited.

          11. Fractional Shares. Upon lapse of the Restriction, certificates for
fractional Shares shall not be delivered to Employee, and the value of any
fractional Shares which may result from the application of Section 3 or 4 of
this Agreement shall be paid in cash to Employee, as determined in the last
sentence of Section 7 above.

         This Agreement has been prepared in duplicate. Please note your
acceptance in the space provided therefor and return the original for the
Company's records.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company, acting through its duly authorized
officer, has caused this Agreement to be duly executed, and Employee has
hereunto set his hand, all as of the day and year first written above.

                       DELTA AIR LINES, INC.

                       BY
                         -----------------------------
                       Leo F. Mullin
                       President and Chief Executive Officer

                       EMPLOYEE

                       -----------------------------------
                       Frederick W. Reid

                                        3


<PAGE>


                                                                         ANNEX A

"Cause" means the occurrence of any one or more of the following:

         (a) A demonstrably willful and deliberate act or failure to act by you
(other than as a result of incapacity due to physical or mental illness) which
is committed in bad faith, without reasonable belief that such action or
inaction is in the best interests of the Company, and which action or inaction
is not remedied within fifteen business days of written notice from the Company;
or

         (b) Your conviction for committing an act of fraud, embezzlement,
theft, or any other act constituting a felony involving moral turpitude.

         Notwithstanding the foregoing, you shall not be deemed to have been
terminated for Cause unless and until there shall have been delivered to you a
copy of a resolution duly adopted by the affirmative vote (which cannot be
delegated) of not less than three-quarters of the entire membership of the Board
of Directors at a meeting of the Board called and held for such purpose (after
reasonable notice to you and an opportunity for you, together with your counsel,
to be heard before the Board), finding that, in the good faith opinion of the
Board, you are guilty of conduct set forth above in clauses (a) or (b) of this
definition and specifying the particulars thereof in detail.

"Effective Date" means June 9, 1998.

"Good Reason" means the occurrence of any one or more of the following, unless
you have expressly consented in writing thereto:

         (a) The assignment to you of duties inconsistent with your authorities,
duties, titles, responsibilities and status as an officer of the Company, or a
reduction or alteration in the nature or status of your authorities, duties,
titles or responsibilities, from those in effect as of the Effective Date, other
than an insubstantial and inadvertent act that is remedied by the Company
promptly after receipt of notice thereof given by you;

         (b) The Company's requiring you to be based at a location in excess of
50 miles from your principal job location or office on the later of (i) the
Effective Date or (ii) immediately prior to the Reference Date; except for
required travel on the Company's business to an extent consistent with your
business travel obligations on the later of (i) the Effective Date or (ii)
immediately prior to the Reference Date;

         (c) A reduction by the Company of your base salary as in effect on the
later of (i) the Effective Date or (ii) the Reference Date (other than pursuant
to a reduction by a uniform percentage of the salary of all full-time domestic
employees of the Company who are not subject to a collective bargaining
agreement); or a reduction in your short-term or long-term incentive
compensation opportunities under the executive incentive compensation plans of
the Company for which you are eligible as in effect on the later of (i) the
Effective Date or (ii) the Reference Date;



<PAGE>


         (d) The failure by the Company to keep in effect compensation,
retirement, health and welfare benefits, or perquisite programs under which you
receive benefits substantially similar, in the aggregate, to the benefits under
such programs as exist on the later of (i) the Effective Date or (ii)
immediately prior to the Reference Date (other than pursuant to an equivalent
reduction in such benefits of all full-time domestic employees of the Company
who are not subject to a collective bargaining agreement); or the failure of the
Company to meet the funding requirements, if any, of any of such programs; or

         (e) Any material breach by the Company of its obligations under the
letter agreement to which this Annex A relates or any failure of a successor of
the Company to assume and agree to perform the Company's entire obligations
under that letter agreement, provided that such successor has received at least
ten days written notice from the Company or you of the requirement to assume
those obligations.

"Reference Date" means the date 90 days prior to the termination of your
employment.

                                        2


<PAGE>




                             IRREVOCABLE STOCK POWER
                             -----------------------


         The undersigned, Frederick W. Reid, does hereby assign, transfer and
deliver unto _____________________________________ all of those shares of common
stock of Delta Air Lines, Inc. (the "Company") granted as restricted stock (the
"Restricted Stock") pursuant to the Restricted Stock Award Agreement Under The
1989 Stock Incentive Plan dated as of June 9, 1998, between the Company and
Frederick W. Reid, as well as all of those shares of common stock of the Company
purchased for the undersigned with reinvested dividends from the Restricted
Stock (collectively, the "Shares").

         The undersigned does hereby irrevocably constitute and appoint
_______________________________________ attorney-in-fact, with full power of
substitution, to transfer the Shares on the books of the Company, or to direct
the Transfer Agent of the Company to so transfer the Shares.


                              Signature:
                                        ------------------------
                           Printed Name:
                                        ------------------------
                                   Date:
                                        ------------------------

Witness:

-------------------------------


<PAGE>


                                                                       Exhibit C
                                                                       ---------

"Cause" means the occurrence of any one or more of the following:

         (a) A demonstrably willful and deliberate act or failure to act by you
(other than as a result of incapacity due to physical or mental illness) which
is committed in bad faith, without reasonable belief that such action or
inaction is in the best interests of the Company, and which action or inaction
is not remedied within fifteen business days of written notice from the Company;
or

         (b) Your conviction for committing an act of fraud, embezzlement,
theft, or any other act constituting a felony involving moral turpitude.

         Notwithstanding the foregoing, you shall not be deemed to have been
terminated for Cause unless and until there shall have been delivered to you a
copy of a resolution duly adopted by the affirmative vote (which cannot be
delegated) of not less than three-quarters of the entire membership of the Board
of Directors at a meeting of the Board called and held for such purpose (after
reasonable notice to you and an opportunity for you, together with your counsel,
to be heard before the Board), finding that, in the good faith opinion of the
Board, you are guilty of conduct set forth above in clauses (a) or (b) of this
definition and specifying the particulars thereof in detail.

"Effective Date" means June 9, 1998.

"Good Reason" means the occurrence of any one or more of the following, unless
you have expressly consented in writing thereto:

         (a) The assignment to you of duties inconsistent with your authorities,
duties, titles, responsibilities and status as an officer of the Company, or a
reduction or alteration in the nature or status of your authorities, duties,
titles or responsibilities, from those in effect as of the Effective Date, other
than an insubstantial and inadvertent act that is remedied by the Company
promptly after receipt of notice thereof given by you;

         (b) The Company's requiring you to be based at a location in excess of
50 miles from your principal job location or office on the later of (i) the
Effective Date or (ii) immediately prior to the Reference Date; except for
required travel on the Company's business to an extent consistent with your
business travel obligations on the later of (i) the Effective Date or (ii)
immediately prior to the Reference Date;

         (c) A reduction by the Company of your base salary as in effect on the
later of (i) the Effective Date or (ii) immediately prior to; except for
required travel on the Company's business to an extent consistent with your
business travel obligations on the later of (i) the Effective Date or (ii) the
Reference Date (other than pursuant to a reduction by a uniform percentage of
the salary of all full-time domestic employees of the Company who are not
subject to a collective bargaining agreement); or a reduction in your short-term
or long-term incentive compensation opportunities under the executive incentive
compensation plans of the Company for which you are eligible as in effect on the
later of (I) the Effective Date or (ii) the Reference Date;

         (d) The failure by the Company to keep in effect compensation,
retirement, health and welfare benefits, or perquisite programs under which you
receive benefits substantially similar, in the aggregate, to the benefits under
such programs as exist on the later of (i) the Effective Date or




<PAGE>

(ii) immediately prior to the Reference Date (other than pursuant to an
equivalent reduction in such benefits of all full-time domestic employees of the
Company who are not subject to a collective bargaining agreement); or the
failure of the Company to meet the funding requirements, if any, of any of such
programs; or

         (e) Any material breach by the Company of its obligations under the
letter agreement to which this Exhibit C relates or any failure of a successor
of the Company to assume and agree to perform the Company's entire obligations
under that letter agreement, provided that such successor has received at least
ten days written notice from the Company or you of the requirement to assume
those obligations.

"Reference Date" means the date 90 days prior to the termination of your
employment.



<PAGE>


                    EXECUTIVE RETENTION PROTECTION AGREEMENT


         EXECUTIVE RETENTION PROTECTION AGREEMENT ("Agreement") dated as of June
9, 1998 (the "Effective Date") by and between Delta Air Lines, Inc., a Delaware
corporation (the "Company"), and Frederick W. Reid ("Executive").

         WHEREAS, Executive is presently employed by the Company in a key
management capacity; and

         WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of the Company (the "Board") has
determined that it is in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders
that appropriate steps be taken to reinforce and encourage the continued
attention of key management personnel, including Executive, to their assigned
duties without the distraction that may arise from personal uncertainties
associated with any pending or threatened change in control of the Company; and

         WHEREAS, the Board has also determined that it is in the best interests
of the Company and its stockholders to encourage Executive's continued
availability to the Company in the event of a change in control.

         NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and of the mutual
covenants and agreements of the parties set forth in this Agreement, and of
other good and valuable consideration including, but not limited to, Executive's
continuing employment with the Company, the receipt and sufficiency of which are
hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto, intending to be legally bound, agree as
follows:

                                    ARTICLE 1

                                TERM OF AGREEMENT

         SECTION 1.01. Initial Term. The term of this Agreement shall commence
on the Effective Date and shall expire December 31, 1998 (the "Initial Term"),
subject to Sections 1.02 and 1.03.

         SECTION 1.02. Extensions. As of each December 31 after the Effective
Date, the term of this Agreement shall automatically be extended by one year
(each such additional one-year period following the Initial Term a "Successive
Period") unless, at least sixty days prior to such December 31, (i) either party
has provided the other with written notice of such party's intent that the term
of this Agreement not be so extended or (ii) there occurs a termination of
Executive's employment with the Company.



                                       1
<PAGE>

         SECTION 1.03. Automatic Extension Upon Change in Control. In the event
that a Change in Control occurs during the Initial Term or any Successive
Period, upon the effective date of such Change in Control the term of this
Agreement shall automatically be extended for a period of 36 months from the
effective date of such Change in Control. The 36-month extension described in
this Section 1.03 shall take effect regardless of whether, before or after the
effective date of a Change in Control, Executive or the Company has given
written notice of intent not to extend the term of the Agreement pursuant to
Section 1.02 or there has occurred a termination of Executive's employment,
provided the term of the Agreement has not yet expired as of such effective
date.

                                    ARTICLE 2

                   OBLIGATIONS OF COMPANY ON CHANGE IN CONTROL

         SECTION 2.01. Deferred Compensation. (a) In the event that a Change in
Control occurs during the term of this Agreement, the Company shall promptly
thereafter cause to be irrevocably deposited in trust for the benefit of
Executive and his or her beneficiaries, on the terms set forth in Section
2.01(c), an amount equal to the balance as of the date of such deposit of
Executive's accounts under the Deferred Compensation Plan. (Such trust is
hereinafter referred to as the "Deferred Compensation Trust.") From and after
the date of such Change in Control, the Company shall cause to be irrevocably
deposited in the Deferred Compensation Trust any additional amounts that may be
deferred from time to time by Executive under the Deferred Compensation Plan.
Each such subsequent deposit shall be made on the date the applicable deferred
amount would otherwise have been received by Executive, but for Executive's
election to defer such receipt under the Deferred Compensation Plan.

         (b) The trustee of the Deferred Compensation Trust shall be a bank that
is organized under the laws of the United States of America, has assets
exceeding $500,000,000, and may validly exercise trustee powers under Georgia
state law. All trustee's fees and other expenses of administering the Deferred
Compensation Trust shall be borne by the Company.

         (c) The instrument governing the Deferred Compensation Trust (the
"Trust Instrument") shall, to the extent reasonably necessary to assure that the
Deferred Compensation Plan will continue to be treated as "unfunded" for
purposes of ERISA and the Code, provide that upon insolvency of the Company the
assets of the Trust will be subject to the claims of the Company's general
creditors. The Trust Instrument shall provide that in all other respects the
assets of the Deferred Compensation Trust will be maintained for the exclusive
benefit of Executive and his or her beneficiaries, and will otherwise be subject
to all fiduciary and other requirements of applicable state trust law. The Trust


                                       2
<PAGE>

Instrument shall require that the trustee invest the assets of the Trust in a
manner calculated to match as closely as the trustee deems reasonably possible
the investment elections made from time to time by Executive under the Deferred
Compensation Plan, and shall provide for payment of benefits in accordance with
the terms of Executive's applicable payment elections as in effect from time to
time under the Deferred Compensation Plan.

         (d) After the date of a Change in Control, the Company shall not (other
than pursuant to Section 3.03(i) hereof) take any steps to disturb or alter
Executive's (or Executive's beneficiaries') rights to receive amounts deferred
under the Deferred Compensation Plan in accordance with such Executive's
applicable payment elections as in effect from time to time. Nothing herein or
in the Trust Instrument shall relieve the Company of its obligation to pay
benefits under the Deferred Compensation Plan in accordance with the terms of
such Plan, to the extent such benefits are not paid from the Deferred
Compensation Trust.

         SECTION 2.02.  Payment of Performance-Based Awards.  In the event that
a Change in Control occurs during the term of this Agreement and while Executive
is employed by the Company, the Company shall promptly thereafter pay Executive
the sum of (i) the Reference Incentive Compensation Award, prorated to reflect
the portion of the fiscal year elapsed through the date of the Change in
Control, and (ii) the Reference Long-Term Award, for each performance period
that includes the date of the Change in Control under any long-term incentive
plan maintained by the Company, prorated to reflect the portion of such
performance period elapsed through the date of the Change in Control. The
amounts referred to in clauses (i) and (ii) above shall be paid in the form of
cash or shares of Company stock, in accordance with the terms of the applicable
award agreements. The payment under this Section 2.02 shall discharge all
liabilities of the Company to Executive under the Company's annual and long-term
incentive plans and programs, and under this Agreement, with respect to
performance-based incentive compensation (other than stock options and stock
appreciation rights) for the periods referred to in clauses (i) and (ii) above.

         SECTION 2.03. Stock Options, Stock Appreciation Rights and
Non-Performance-Based Award. In the event that a Change in Control occurs during
the term of this Agreement and while Executive is employed by the Company, all
outstanding stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock (if not
performance-based), or other non-performance-based awards held by Executive
pursuant to the provisions of the Company's 1989 Stock Incentive Plan or any
successor plan shall become immediately vested, nonforfeitable and exercisable
as of the date of the Change in Control.

         SECTION 2.04. Gross-Up Payment. In the event that a Change in Control
occurs during the term of this Agreement, if any payment or acceleration of
vesting or exercisability under this Article 2 would result in the imposition of


                                       3
<PAGE>

excise tax under Section 4999 of the Code, or of any interest or penalties with
respect to such excise tax, then Executive shall be entitled to a Gross-Up
Payment with respect to such excise tax, interest or penalties. Such Gross-Up
Payment shall be determined in the manner set forth in Article 4 (excluding
Paragraph A and the last sentence of Paragraph B of Section 4.01), substituting
the term "Change in Control" for the term "Qualifying Event" in Section 4.02. In
addition, such Gross-Up Payment shall be subject to the provisions of Section
4.03 in the same manner as if such Gross-Up Payment had been paid under Article
4. The Company shall pay Executive the Gross-Up Payment described in this
Section 2.04 as soon as practicable following the Change in Control, but in no
event later than 30 days from such Change in Control.

                                    ARTICLE 3

                               SEVERANCE BENEFITS

         SECTION 3.01. Right to Severance Benefits. In the event that a
Qualifying Event occurs during the term of this Agreement, Executive shall be
entitled to receive from the Company Severance Benefits as described in Section
3.03 and the Gross-Up Payment described in Section 4.01. The Severance Benefits
described in Sections 3.03(a), 3.03(b), 3.03(c), 3.03(d), 3.03(e), 3.03(f),
3.03(h) and 3.03(i), as well as the Gross-Up Payment, shall be paid or provided
to Executive as soon as practicable following the Qualifying Event, but in no
event later than 30 days from such Qualifying Event.

         SECTION 3.02. Qualifying Event. A "Qualifying Event" means any of the
following events:

         (a) The involuntary termination of Executive's employment by the
Company during the 36-month period following a Change in Control, other than (i)
for Cause, or (ii) by reason of Executive's death or Disability;

         (b) Executive's voluntary termination of employment for Good Reason
during the 36-month period following a Change in Control; or

         (c) The occurrence of a Change in Control within one year after (i) the
involuntary termination of Executive's employment by the Company other than (A)
for Cause, or (B) by reason of Executive's death or Disability; or (ii)
Executive's voluntary termination of employment for Good Reason; if, in the case
of either clause (i) or (ii), the involuntary termination or actions giving rise
to the existence of Good Reason, as the case may be, were undertaken by the
Company in anticipation of a Change in Control.

                                       4
<PAGE>

         SECTION 3.03. Severance Benefits. Executive shall be entitled to the
following benefits (the "Severance Benefits") under the circumstances described
in Section 3.01:

         (a) The Company shall pay Executive a lump sum, in cash, equal to
Executive's earned but unpaid Base Salary and other earned but unpaid cash
entitlements for the period through and including the date of termination of
Executive's employment, including unused earned and accrued vacation pay and
unreimbursed business expenses. In addition, Executive shall be entitled to any
other benefits earned or accrued by Executive for the period through and
including the date of termination of Executive's employment under any other
employee benefit plans and arrangements maintained by the Company, in accordance
with the terms of such plans and arrangements, except as modified herein.

         (b) In the case of a Qualifying Event described in Section 3.02(c), the
Company shall pay Executive the amount that would have been payable to Executive
under Section 2.02, had the Change in Control occurred as of the date of
termination of Executive's employment. The payment under this Section 3.03(b)
shall be reduced by any payments previously made to Executive under the
Company's annual and long-term incentive plans and programs, and under this
Agreement, with respect to performance-based incentive compensation (other than
stock options and stock appreciation rights) for the periods referred to in
clauses (i) and (ii) of Section 2.02.

         (c) The Company shall pay Executive a lump sum, in cash, equal to three
times the sum of Executive's Reference Salary and Reference Incentive
Compensation Award.

         (d) The Company shall pay Executive a lump sum, in cash, equal to the
actuarial present value of the difference between the retirement benefits
described in clauses (i) and (ii) below:

                  (i) The retirement benefits described in this clause shall be
         the total benefits that would be payable to Executive and his or her
         spouse under the Qualified Pension Plan and the Nonqualified Pension
         Plans in the form of a monthly annuity commencing as of Executive's
         Earliest Retirement Date, calculated in accordance with the terms of
         such plans as in effect on the date of termination of Executive's
         employment (or, if greater, as in effect immediately prior to the
         Change in Control), and assuming:

                           (A) Executive is fully vested in his or her benefits
                  under such plans;

                                       5
<PAGE>

                           (B) The number of years of Executive's credited
                  service for purposes of benefit accrual under such plans is
                  equal to three plus the number of such years of service
                  credited under such plans without regard to this Section
                  3.03(d)(i)(B);

                           (C) Executive's age as of the Earliest Retirement
                  Date is equal to Executive's actual age as of such date plus
                  three years, for purposes of calculating any reduction under
                  such plans for early commencement of benefits; and

                           (D) As of Executive's annuity starting date,
                  Executive has a spouse who meets the requirements set forth in
                  the Qualified Pension Plan for entitlement to automatic joint
                  and survivor annuity benefits.

                  (ii) The retirement benefits described in this clause shall be
         the benefits that would be payable to Executive and his or her spouse
         under the Qualified Pension Plan in the form of a monthly annuity
         commencing as of Executive's Earliest Retirement Date, calculated in
         accordance with the terms of such Plan, assuming that as of Executive's
         annuity starting date Executive has a spouse who meets the requirements
         set forth in the Qualified Pension Plan for entitlement to automatic
         joint and survivor annuity benefits.

For purposes of this Section 3.03(d), "actuarial present value" shall be
calculated using the assumptions in effect, immediately prior to the Change in
Control, for purposes of calculating actuarial equivalence under the Qualified
Pension Plan. The payment under this Section 3.03(d) shall be reduced, in the
case of a Qualifying Event described in Section 3.02(c), by the total amount of
payments (if any) made to Executive and his or her spouse under the Nonqualified
Pension Plans between the date of termination of Executive's employment and the
date of payment under this Section 3.03(d). The payment under this Section
3.03(d) shall discharge all liabilities of the Company with respect to
retirement benefits of Executive under the Nonqualified Pension Plans.

         (e) (i) If Executive has attained age 52 as of the date of termination
         of his or her employment, Executive shall be entitled to retiree
         medical and monthly survivor benefits from the Company commencing as of
         the date of the Qualifying Event. Such benefits shall be provided at a
         level of coverage no less generous, and at the same cost to Executive,
         as the retiree medical and monthly survivor benefits for which
         Executive would have been eligible upon retirement under the retiree
         benefits program maintained by the Company as in effect immediately
         prior to the Change in Control, provided, that if Executive has earned
         at least ten years of Continuous Service under the Qualified Pension
         Plan as of the date of termination of

                                       6
<PAGE>


         employment (taking into account the assumption set forth in Section
         3.03(d)(i)(B)), the Company shall pay Executive a lump sum, in cash,
         equal to the present value (as of the date of the Qualifying Event) of
         any premium imposed solely because of early retirement. The assumption
         set forth in Section 3.03(d)(i)(B) shall be taken into account in
         determining the level of any service-related premium to which Executive
         becomes subject at any time with respect to retiree medical benefits
         provided by the Company.

                  (ii) If, after taking into account the assumption set forth in
         Section 3.03(d)(i)(C), Executive has attained age 52 as of the date of
         termination of his or her employment, the Company shall, at its
         election, provide to Executive either: (A) retiree medical and monthly
         survivor benefits described in (i) above; or (B) a lump sum, in cash,
         equal to the present value (as of the date of the Qualifying Event) of
         the retiree medical and monthly survivor benefits described in (i)
         above.

                  (iii) If, after taking into account the assumption set forth
         in Section 3.03(d)(i)(C), Executive has not attained age 52 as of the
         date of termination of his or her employment, the Company shall pay
         Executive a lump sum, in cash, equal to the present value (as of the
         date of the Qualifying Event) of medical, disability and monthly
         survivor coverage (as provided to active nonpilot personnel) of
         Executive and Executive's eligible dependents under the Medical Plans
         and Disability Plan for 36 months from the date of the Qualifying
         Event.

                  (iv) In determining present value under clauses (i), (ii) and
         (iii) above, all terms applicable to Executive under the Medical Plans
         and Disability Plan immediately prior to the date of the Change in
         Control (including the level of premiums payable by Executive) shall be
         taken into account. The amount of such present value shall be
         determined by Northern Trust Retirement Consulting Inc. (the "Actuarial
         Firm") on the basis of such assumptions as the Actuarial Firm
         determines to be reasonable. In the event that the Actuarial Firm is
         serving as actuary for the Person effecting the Change in Control or is
         otherwise unavailable, Executive may appoint another nationally
         recognized actuarial firm to make the determinations required hereunder
         (which actuarial firm shall then be referred to as the Actuarial Firm
         hereunder). The Actuarial Firm shall provide its determination and
         detailed supporting calculations both to the Company and Executive
         within fifteen business days of the receipt of notice from Executive
         that there has been a Qualifying Event, or such earlier time as is
         requested by the Company. All fees and expenses of the Actuarial Firm
         shall be borne solely by the Company.

         (f) The Company shall provide Executive with a fully paid-up term life
insurance policy (with premiums pre-paid for the remainder of Executive's life)


                                       7
<PAGE>

on Executive's life, providing Executive's beneficiaries with a death benefit of
$50,000. In addition, if Executive is eligible for early or normal retirement
benefits under the Qualified Pension Plan as of the date of termination of
Executive's employment, the Company shall provide Executive a fully paid-up term
life insurance policy (with premiums pre-paid for the remainder of Executive's
life) on Executive's life, providing Executive's beneficiaries with a death
benefit of two times Executive's Reference Salary. For purposes of determining
Executive's entitlement to the life insurance policy described in the preceding
sentence, the assumptions set forth in Sections 3.03(d)(i)(B) and 3.03(d)(i)(C)
shall be taken into account.

         (g) Executive and Executive's spouse, for the remainder of their
respective lives, and Executive's dependent children, for so long as they are
under age 18 (or under age 23 if a full-time student), shall be entitled to free
system-wide flight privileges on Company flights to any location which the
Company serves. Such privileges shall entitle Executive, Executive's spouse and
Executive's dependent children to unlimited positive space (or space available,
at Executive's option) first-class tickets, but Executive's dependent children
shall not be entitled to first-class privileges if under age 8; provided further
that all of such flight privileges shall otherwise be subject to the same
conditions and restrictions as pertain from time to time to the flight
privileges generally provided by the Company to its retirees. Nothing herein
shall be deemed as a limitation upon any retiree flight privileges for which
Executive may otherwise qualify.

         (h) In the case of a Qualifying Event described in Section 3.02(c), all
outstanding stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock (if not
performance-based), or other non-performance-based awards held by Executive
pursuant to the provisions of the Company's 1989 Stock Incentive Plan or any
successor plan shall become immediately vested, nonforfeitable and exercisable
as of the date of the Change in Control. In addition, in the case of such a
Qualifying Event, the Company shall, with respect to any such stock option,
stock appreciation right, restricted stock or other nonperformance-based award
forfeited by Executive on or after the date of termination of Executive's
employment (except where such forfeiture occurs solely by reason of expiration
of the term of such award), pay to Executive a lump sum, in cash, equal to the
fair market value such award would have had as of the date of the Change in
Control, taking into account the exercise price, if any, associated with such
award and treating such award as fully vested and exercisable.

         (i) The Company shall pay (or cause the Deferred Compensation Trust to
pay) to Executive a lump sum, in cash, equal to the balance of Executive's
accounts under the Deferred Compensation Plan.

                                       8
<PAGE>

         (j) The Company shall indemnify Executive (and Executive's legal
representatives or other successors) to the fullest extent permitted by the
Certificate of Incorporation and By-Laws of the Company, as in effect at such
time or on the Effective Date, or by the terms of any indemnification agreement
between the Company and Executive, whichever affords or afforded greater
protection to Executive, and Executive shall be entitled to the protection of
any insurance policies the Company may elect to maintain generally for the
benefit of its directors and officers (and to the extent the Company maintains
such an insurance policy or policies, Executive shall be covered by such policy
or policies, in accordance with its or their terms, to the maximum extent of the
coverage available for any Company officer or director), against all costs,
charges and expenses whatsoever incurred or sustained by Executive or
Executive's legal representatives at the time such costs, charges and expenses
are incurred or sustained, in connection with any action, suit or proceeding to
which Executive (or Executive's legal representatives or other successors) may
be made a party by reason of Executive's being or having been a director,
officer or employee of the Company, or any Subsidiary or Executive's serving or
having served any other enterprise as a director, officer, employee or fiduciary
at the request of the Company.

                                    ARTICLE 4

                              CERTAIN TAX PAYMENTS

         SECTION 4.01. Gross-Up Payment. The Company shall pay to Executive an
additional lump sum payment (the "Gross-Up Payment"), in cash, equal to the sum
of the amounts described in Paragraphs A and B (if any), below:

                  A. Executive shall be entitled under this paragraph to the sum
         of (i) the present value of all of Executive's applicable Federal,
         state and local taxes arising due to payments or coverage provided
         under Section 3.03(e), and (ii) an additional amount such that after
         payment by Executive of all of Executive's applicable Federal, state
         and local taxes on such additional amount, Executive will retain an
         amount equal to the total of Executive's applicable Federal, state and
         local taxes arising due to the payment required pursuant to clause (i)
         above. For purposes of clause (i) above, present value shall be
         determined using the appropriate "applicable federal rate" promulgated
         by the Treasury Department under Code Section 1274(d) for the month in
         which the Gross-Up Payment is made, assuming that all taxes will be
         paid on the due date therefor (without regard to extensions).

                  B. If any portion of the Severance Benefits or any other
         payment under this Agreement, or under any other agreement with, or
         plan of the Company, including but not limited to stock options and
         other long-term

                                       9
<PAGE>

         incentives (in the aggregate "Total Payments") would be subject to the
         excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Code or any interest or
         penalties with respect to such excise tax (such excise tax, together
         with any such interest and penalties, are hereinafter collectively
         referred to as the "Excise Tax"), then Executive shall be entitled
         under this paragraph to an additional amount such that after payment by
         Executive of all of Executive's applicable Federal, state and local
         taxes, including any Excise Tax, imposed upon such additional amount,
         Executive will retain an amount equal to the Excise Tax imposed on the
         Total Payments. The amount determined under this Paragraph B upon the
         occurrence of a Qualifying Event shall be reduced by the amount of any
         Gross-Up Payment previously paid to Executive under Section 2.04.

For purposes of Paragraphs A and B above, Executive's applicable Federal, state
and local taxes shall be computed at the maximum marginal rates, taking into
account the effect of any loss of personal exemptions resulting from receipt of
the Gross-Up Payment.

         SECTION 4.02. Determinations. All determinations required to be made
under this Article 4, including the amount of the Gross-Up Payment, whether a
payment is required under Paragraph B of Section 4.01, and the assumptions to be
used in determining the Gross-Up Payment, shall be made by Arthur Andersen LLP
(the "Accounting Firm") which shall provide detailed supporting calculations
both to the Company and Executive within twenty business days of the receipt of
notice from Executive that there has been a Qualifying Event, or such earlier
time as is requested by the Company. In the event that the Accounting Firm is
serving as accountant or auditor for the Person effecting the Change in Control
or is otherwise unavailable, Executive may appoint another nationally recognized
accounting firm to make the determinations required hereunder (which accounting
firm shall then be referred to as the Accounting Firm hereunder). All fees and
expenses of the Accounting Firm shall be borne solely by the Company.

         SECTION 4.03. Subsequent Redetermination. Executive agrees (unless
requested otherwise by the Company) to use reasonable efforts to contest in good
faith any subsequent determination by the Internal Revenue Service that
Executive owes an amount of Excise Tax greater than the amount determined
pursuant to Section 4.02; provided, that Executive shall be entitled to
reimbursement by the Company of all fees and expenses reasonably incurred by
Executive in contesting such determination. In the event the Internal Revenue
Service or any court of competent jurisdiction determines that Executive owes an
amount of Excise Tax that is either greater or less than the amount previously
taken into account and paid under this Article 4, the Company shall promptly pay
to Executive, or Executive shall promptly repay to the Company, as the case may
be, the amount of such excess or shortfall. In the case of any payment that the
Company is required



                                       10
<PAGE>

to make to Executive pursuant to the preceding sentence (a "Later Payment"), the
Company shall also pay to Executive an additional amount such that after payment
by Executive of all of Executive's applicable Federal, state and local taxes on
such additional amount, Executive will retain an amount equal to the total of
Executive's applicable Federal, state and local taxes arising due to the Later
Payment. In the case of any repayment of Excise Tax that Executive is required
to make to the Company pursuant to the second sentence of this Section 4.03,
Executive shall also repay to the Company the amount of any additional payment
received by Executive from the Company in respect of applicable Federal, state
and local taxes on such repaid Excise Tax, to the extent Executive is entitled
to a refund of (or has not yet paid) such Federal, state or local taxes.

                                    ARTICLE 5

                           SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNMENTS

         SECTION 5.01. Successors. The Company will require any successor
(whether by reason of a Change in Control, direct or indirect, by purchase,
merger, consolidation, or otherwise) to all or substantially all of the business
and/or assets of the Company to expressly assume and agree to perform the
obligations under this Agreement in the same manner and to the same extent that
the Company would be required to perform it if no such succession had taken
place.

         SECTION 5.02. Assignment by Executive. This Agreement shall inure to
the benefit of and be enforceable by Executive's personal or legal
representatives, executors, administrators, successors, heirs, distributees,
devisees, and legatees. If Executive should die while any amount is owed but
unpaid to Executive hereunder, all such amounts, unless otherwise provided
herein, shall be paid to Executive's devisee, legatee, or other designee, or if
there is no such designee, to Executive's estate. Executive's rights hereunder
shall not otherwise be assignable.

                                    ARTICLE 6

                                  MISCELLANEOUS

         SECTION 6.01. Notices. Any notice required to be delivered hereunder
shall be in writing and shall be addressed

         if to the Company, to:
                  Delta Air Lines, Inc.
                  Hartsfield Atlanta International Airport
                  Post Office Box 20706
                  Atlanta, GA 30320-2534
                  Attn: General Counsel;

                                       11
<PAGE>

         if to Executive, to Executive's last known address as reflected on the
         books and records of the Company

or such other address as such party may hereafter specify for the purpose by
written notice to the other party hereto. Any such notice shall be deemed
received on the date of receipt by the recipient thereof if received prior to 5
p.m. in the place of receipt and such day is a business day in the place of
receipt. Otherwise, any such notice shall be deemed not to have been received
until the next succeeding business day in the place of receipt.

         SECTION 6.02. Legal Fees and Expenses. The Company shall pay all legal
fees, costs of litigation, prejudgment interest, and other expenses which are
reasonably incurred by Executive as a result of (i) the Company's refusal to
provide Severance Benefits or other amounts in accordance herewith, (ii) the
Company's (or any third party's) contesting the validity, enforceability, or
interpretation of the Agreement, (iii) any conflict between the parties
pertaining to this Agreement, (iv) Executive's contesting any determination by
the Internal Revenue Service pursuant to Section 4.03, or (v) Executive's
pursuing any claim under Section 6.16 hereof.

         SECTION 6.03. Arbitration. Executive shall have the right and option to
elect (in lieu of litigation) to have any dispute or controversy arising under
or in connection with this Agreement settled by arbitration, conducted before a
panel of three arbitrators sitting in a location selected by Executive within 50
miles from the location of his or her job with the Company, in accordance with
the rules of the American Arbitration Association then in effect. Executive's
election to arbitrate, as herein provided, and the decision of the arbitrators
in that proceeding, shall be binding on the Company and Executive. Judgment may
be entered on the award of the arbitrator in any court having jurisdiction. All
expenses of such arbitration, including the fees and expenses reasonably
incurred by Executive, shall be borne by the Company.

         SECTION 6.04. Unfunded Agreement. Except to the extent otherwise
provided in Article 2, the obligations of the Company under this Agreement
represent an unsecured, unfunded promise to pay benefits to Executive and/or
Executive's beneficiaries, and shall not entitle Executive or such beneficiaries
to a preferential claim to any asset of the Company.

         SECTION 6.05. Non-Exclusivity of Benefits. Unless specifically provided
herein, neither the provisions of this Agreement nor the benefits provided
hereunder shall reduce any amounts otherwise payable, or in any way diminish
Executive's rights as an employee of the Company, whether existing now or
hereafter, under any compensation and/or benefit plans (qualified or
nonqualified), programs, policies, or practices provided by the Company, for
which Executive may qualify. Vested benefits or other amounts which Executive is
otherwise



                                       12
<PAGE>

entitled to receive under any plan, policy, practice, or program of the Company
(i.e., including, but not limited to, vested benefits under the Qualified
Pension Plan), at or subsequent to the date of termination of Executive's
employment shall be payable in accordance with such plan, policy, practice, or
program except as expressly modified by this Agreement.

         SECTION 6.06. Compensation Taken Into Account. Severance Benefits
provided hereunder (other than the Base Salary and Reference Incentive
Compensation Award payable pursuant to Sections 3.03(a) or 3.03(b)) shall not be
considered for purposes of determining Executive's benefits under any other plan
or program of the Company (including without limitation the Qualified Pension
Plan and the Nonqualified Pension Plans).

         SECTION 6.07. Employment Status. Nothing herein contained shall
interfere with the Company's right to terminate Executive's employment with the
Company at any time, with or without Cause, subject to the Company's obligation
to provide such Severance Benefits and other amounts as may be required
hereunder.

         SECTION 6.08. Mitigation. In no event shall Executive be obligated to
seek other employment or take any other action by way of mitigation of the
amounts payable to Executive under any of the provisions of this Agreement, nor
shall the amount of any payment hereunder be reduced by any compensation earned
by Executive as a result of employment by another employer.

         SECTION 6.09. No Set-Off. The Company's obligations to make all
payments and honor all commitments under this Agreement shall be absolute and
unconditional and shall not be affected by any circumstances including, without
limitation, any set-off, counterclaim, recoupment, defense or other right which
the Company may have against Executive.

         SECTION 6.10. Entire Agreement. This Agreement represents the entire
agreement between the parties with respect to Executive's employment and/or
severance rights upon a Change in Control, and supersedes all prior discussions,
negotiations, and agreements concerning such rights, including, but not limited
to, any prior severance agreement made between Executive and the Company.

         SECTION 6.11. Tax Withholding. Notwithstanding anything in this
Agreement to the contrary, the Company shall withhold from any amounts payable
under this Agreement all federal, state, city, or other taxes as are legally
required to be withheld.

         SECTION 6.12. Waiver of Rights. The waiver by either party of a breach
of any provision of this Agreement shall not operate or be construed as a
continuing waiver or as a consent to or waiver of any subsequent breach hereof.

                                       13
<PAGE>

         SECTION 6.13. Severability. In the event any provision of the Agreement
shall be held illegal or invalid for any reason, the illegality or invalidity
shall not affect the remaining parts of the Agreement, and the Agreement shall
be construed and enforced as if the illegal or invalid provision had not been
included.

         SECTION 6.14. Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and
construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Georgia without reference
to principles of conflict of laws.

         SECTION 6.15. Counterparts. This Agreement may be signed in several
counterparts, each of which shall be an original, with the same effect as if the
signatures thereto and hereto were on the same instrument.

         SECTION 6.16. Claim Review Procedure. If Executive is denied benefits
under this Agreement, Executive may request, in writing, a review of the denial
by the Company or its designee within 60 days of receiving written notice of the
denial. The Company shall respond in writing to a written request for review
within 90 days of receipt of such request. Neither the claim procedure set forth
in this Section 6.16 nor Executive's failure to adhere to such procedure shall
derogate from Executive's right to enforce this Agreement through legal action,
including arbitration as provided in Section 6.03.

                                    ARTICLE 7

                                   DEFINITIONS

         For purposes of this Agreement, the following terms shall have the
meanings set forth below.

                  "Accounting Firm" has the meaning accorded such term in
         Section 4.02.

                  "Actuarial Firm" has the meaning accorded such term in Section
         3.03(e)(iv).

                  "Affiliate" and "Associate" have the respective meanings
         accorded to such terms in Rule 12b-2 under the Exchange Act as in
         effect on the Effective Date.

                  "Base Salary" means, at any time, the then-regular annual rate
         of pay which Executive is receiving as annual salary.

                                       14
<PAGE>

                  "Beneficial Ownership." A Person shall be deemed the
         "Beneficial Owner" of, and shall be deemed to "beneficially own,"
         securities pursuant to Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act as in effect
         on the Effective Date.

                  "Board" has the meaning accorded such term in the second
         "Whereas" clause of this Agreement.

                  "Cause" means the occurrence of any one or more of the
         following:

                           (a) A demonstrably willful and deliberate act or
                  failure to act by Executive (other than as a result of
                  incapacity due to physical or mental illness) which is
                  committed in bad faith, without reasonable belief that such
                  action or inaction is in the best interests of the Company,
                  and which act or inaction is not remedied within fifteen
                  business days of written notice from the Company; or

                           (b) Executive's conviction for committing an act of
                  fraud, embezzlement, theft, or any other act constituting a
                  felony involving moral turpitude.

         Notwithstanding the foregoing, Executive shall not be deemed to have
         been terminated for Cause unless and until there shall have been
         delivered to Executive a copy of a resolution duly adopted by the
         affirmative vote (which cannot be delegated) of not less than
         three-quarters of the entire membership of the Board at a meeting of
         the Board called and held for such purpose (after reasonable notice to
         Executive and an opportunity for Executive, together with Executive's
         counsel, to be heard before the Board), finding that, in the good faith
         opinion of the Board, Executive is guilty of conduct set forth above in
         clauses (a) or (b) of this definition and specifying the particulars
         thereof in detail.

                  "Change in Control" means, and shall be deemed to have
         occurred upon, the first to occur of any of the following events:

                           (a) Any Person (other than an Excluded Person)
                  acquires, together with all Affiliates and Associates of such
                  Person, Beneficial Ownership of securities representing 20% or
                  more of the combined voting power of the Voting Stock then
                  outstanding, unless such Person acquires Beneficial Ownership
                  of 20% or more of the combined voting power of the Voting
                  Stock then outstanding solely as a result of an acquisition of
                  Voting Stock by the Company which, by reducing the Voting
                  Stock outstanding, increases the proportionate Voting Stock
                  beneficially owned by such Person

                                       15
<PAGE>

                  (together with all Affiliates and Associates of such Person)
                  to 20% or more of the combined voting power of the Voting
                  Stock then outstanding; provided, that if a Person shall
                  become the Beneficial Owner of 20% or more of the combined
                  voting power of the Voting Stock then outstanding by reason of
                  such Voting Stock acquisition by the Company and shall
                  thereafter become the Beneficial Owner of any additional
                  Voting Stock which causes the proportionate voting power of
                  Voting Stock beneficially owned by such Person to increase to
                  20% or more of the combined voting power of the Voting Stock
                  then outstanding, such Person shall, upon becoming the
                  Beneficial Owner of such additional Voting Stock, be deemed to
                  have become the Beneficial Owner of 20% or more of the
                  combined voting power of the Voting Stock then outstanding
                  other than solely as a result of such Voting Stock acquisition
                  by the Company;

                           (b) During any period of two consecutive years (not
                  including any period prior to the Effective Date), individuals
                  who at the beginning of such period constitute the Board (and
                  any new Director, whose election by the Board or nomination
                  for election by the Company's stockholders was approved by a
                  vote of at least two-thirds of the Directors then still in
                  office who either were Directors at the beginning of the
                  period or whose election or nomination for election was so
                  approved), cease for any reason to constitute a majority of
                  Directors then constituting the Board;

                           (c) A reorganization, merger or consolidation of the
                  Company is consummated, in each case, unless, immediately
                  following such reorganization, merger or consolidation, (i)
                  more than 50% of, respectively, the then outstanding shares of
                  common stock of the corporation resulting from such
                  reorganization, merger or consolidation and the combined
                  voting power of the then outstanding voting securities of such
                  corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of
                  directors is then beneficially owned, directly or indirectly,
                  by all or substantially all of the individuals and entities
                  who were the beneficial owners of the Voting Stock outstanding
                  immediately prior to such reorganization, merger or
                  consolidation, (ii) no Person (but excluding for this purpose
                  any Excluded Person and any Person beneficially owning,
                  immediately prior to such reorganization, merger or
                  consolidation, directly or indirectly, 20% or more of the
                  voting power of the outstanding Voting Stock) beneficially
                  owns, directly or indirectly, 20% or more of, respectively,
                  the then outstanding shares of common stock of the corporation
                  resulting from such reorganization, merger or

                                       16
<PAGE>

                  consolidation or the combined voting power of the then
                  outstanding voting securities of such corporation entitled to
                  vote generally in the election of directors and (iii) at least
                  a majority of the members of the board of directors of the
                  corporation resulting from such reorganization, merger or
                  consolidation were members of the Board at the time of the
                  execution of the initial agreement providing for such
                  reorganization, merger or consolidation; or

                           (d) The shareholders of the Company approve (i) a
                  complete liquidation or dissolution of the Company or (ii) the
                  sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the
                  assets of the Company, other than to any corporation with
                  respect to which, immediately following such sale or other
                  disposition, (A) more than 50% of, respectively, the then
                  outstanding shares of common stock of such corporation and the
                  combined voting power of the then outstanding voting
                  securities of such corporation entitled to vote generally in
                  the election of directors is then beneficially owned, directly
                  or indirectly, by all or substantially all of the individuals
                  and entities who were the beneficial owners of the Voting
                  Stock outstanding immediately prior to such sale or other
                  disposition of assets, (B) no Person (but excluding for this
                  purpose any Excluded Person and any Person beneficially
                  owning, immediately prior to such sale or other disposition,
                  directly or indirectly, 20% or more of the voting power of the
                  outstanding Voting Stock) beneficially owns, directly or
                  indirectly, 20% or more of, respectively, the then outstanding
                  shares of common stock of such corporation or the combined
                  voting power of the then outstanding voting securities of such
                  corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of
                  directors and (C) at least a majority of the members of the
                  board of directors of such corporation were members of the
                  Board at the time of the execution of the initial agreement or
                  action of the Board providing for such sale or other
                  disposition of assets of the Company.

         Notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event shall a "Change in Control"
         be deemed to have occurred (i) as a result of the formation of a
         Holding Company, or (ii) with respect to Executive, if Executive is
         part of a "group," within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) of the
         Exchange Act as in effect on the Effective Date, which consummates the
         Change in Control transaction. In addition, for purposes of the
         definition of "Change in Control" a Person engaged in business as an
         underwriter of securities shall not be deemed to be the "Beneficial
         Owner" of, or to "beneficially own," any securities acquired through
         such Person's participation in good faith



                                       17
<PAGE>

         in a firm commitment underwriting until the expiration of forty days
         after the date of such acquisition.

                  "Code" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

                  "Company" has the meaning accorded such term in the
         introductory paragraph of this Agreement.

                  "Deferred Compensation Plan" means the Company's Executive
         Deferred Compensation Plan (or any similar successor plan adopted by
         the Company), as in effect immediately prior to the Change in Control.

                  "Deferred Compensation Trust" has the meaning accorded such
         term in Section 2.01.

                  "Disability" means Long-Term Disability, as such term is
         defined in the Disability Plan.

                  "Disability Plan" means the Delta Family-Care Disability and
         Survivorship Plan (or any successor disability and/or survivorship plan
         adopted by the Company), as in effect immediately prior to the Change
         in Control (subject to changes in coverage levels applicable to all
         employees generally covered by such Plan).

                  "Earliest Retirement Date" means the earliest date, after the
         date of termination of Executive's employment, as of which Executive
         would be eligible to commence receiving retirement benefits under the
         Qualified Pension Plan.

                  "Effective Date" has the meaning accorded such term in the
         introductory paragraph of this Agreement.

                  "ERISA" means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of
         1974, as amended.

                  "Exchange Act" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
         amended.

                  "Excise Tax" has the meaning accorded such term in Section
         4.01.

                  "Excluded Person" means (i) the Company; (ii) any of the
         Company's Subsidiaries; (iii) any Holding Company; (iv) any employee
         benefit plan of the Company, any of its Subsidiaries or a Holding
         Company; or (v) any Person organized, appointed or established by the
         Company, any of its Subsidiaries or a Holding Company for or pursuant
         to the terms of any plan described in clause (iv).

                                       18
<PAGE>

                  "Executive" has the meaning accorded such term in the
         introductory paragraph of this Agreement.

                  "Good Reason" means, without Executive's express written
         consent, the occurrence of any one or more of the following:

                           (a) The assignment to Executive of duties
                  inconsistent with Executive's authorities, duties,
                  responsibilities and status as an officer of the Company, or a
                  reduction or alteration in the nature or status of Executive's
                  authorities, duties, or responsibilities, from those in effect
                  as of the Reference Date; other than an insubstantial and
                  inadvertent act that is remedied by the Company promptly after
                  receipt of notice thereof given by Executive;

                           (b) The Company's requiring Executive to be based at
                  a location in excess of 50 miles from Executive's principal
                  job location or office immediately prior to the Reference
                  Date; except for required travel on the Company's business to
                  an extent consistent with Executive's business travel
                  obligations immediately prior to the Reference Date;

                           (c) A reduction by the Company of Executive's Base
                  Salary as in effect on the Reference Date (other than pursuant
                  to a reduction by a uniform percentage of the salary of all
                  full-time domestic employees of the Company who are not
                  subject to a collective bargaining agreement); or a reduction
                  in Executive's short-term or long-term incentive compensation
                  opportunities under the executive incentive compensation plans
                  of the Company for which Executive is eligible as in effect on
                  the Reference Date;

                           (d) The failure by the Company to keep in effect
                  compensation, retirement, health and welfare benefits, or
                  perquisite programs under which Executive receives benefits
                  substantially similar, in the aggregate, to the benefits under
                  such programs as exist immediately prior to the Reference Date
                  (other than pursuant to an equivalent reduction in such
                  benefits of all full-time domestic employees of the Company
                  who are not subject to a collective bargaining agreement); or
                  the failure of the Company to meet the funding requirements,
                  if any, of any of such programs; or

                           (e) Any material breach by the Company of its
                  obligations under this Agreement or any failure of a successor
                  of the Company to assume and agree to perform the Company's
                  entire obligations under this Agreement, as required by
                  Article 5 herein, provided that

                                       19
<PAGE>

                  such successor has received at least ten days written notice
                  from the Company or Executive of the requirements of Article
                  5.

                  "Gross-Up Payment" has the meaning accorded such term in
         Section 4.01.

                  "Holding Company" means an entity that becomes a holding
         company for the Company or its businesses as a part of any
         reorganization, merger, consolidation or other transaction, provided
         that the outstanding shares of common stock of such entity and the
         combined voting power of the then outstanding voting securities of such
         entity entitled to vote generally in the election of directors is,
         immediately after such reorganization, merger, consolidation or other
         transaction, beneficially owned, directly or indirectly, by all or
         substantially all of the individuals and entities who were the
         beneficial owners, respectively, of the Voting Stock outstanding
         immediately prior to such reorganization, merger, consolidation or
         other transaction in substantially the same proportions as their
         ownership, immediately prior to such reorganization, merger,
         consolidation or other transaction, of such outstanding Voting Stock.

                  "Initial Term" has the meaning accorded such term in Section
         1.01.

                  "Later Payment" has the meaning accorded such term in Section
         4.03.

                  "Medical Plans" means the DeltaFlex and the Delta Family-Care
         Medical Plans (or any successor medical plans adopted by the Company),
         as in effect immediately prior to the Change in Control (subject to
         changes in coverage levels applicable to all employees generally
         covered by such Plans).

                  "Nonqualified Pension Plans" means the 1991 Delta Excess
         Benefit Plan and the Delta Supplemental Excess Benefit Plan (or any
         successor nonqualified defined benefit retirement plans adopted by the
         Company).

                  "Person" means an individual, corporation, partnership,
         association, trust or any other entity or organization.

                  "Qualified Pension Plan" means the Delta Family-Care
         Retirement Plan (or any successor qualified defined benefit retirement
         plan adopted by the Company).

                                       20
<PAGE>

                  "Qualifying Event" has the meaning accorded such term in
         Section 3.02.

                  "Reference Date" means the earlier to occur of (i) a Change in
         Control and (ii) the date 90 days prior to the termination of
         Executive's employment.

                  "Reference Incentive Compensation Award" means:

                           (a) for purposes of Article 2 hereof, the greater of
                  the target annual incentive compensation award or bonus (A)
                  for the Company's most recently completed fiscal year prior to
                  the Change in Control; and (B) for the Company's fiscal year
                  that includes the Change in Control.

                           (b) for purposes of Article 3 hereof, the greater of
                  the target annual incentive compensation award or bonus (A)
                  for the Company's most recently completed fiscal year prior to
                  the termination of Executive's employment; and (B) for the
                  Company's fiscal year that includes Executive's termination of
                  employment.

                  For purposes of both parts (a) and (b) of this definition, the
         "target annual incentive compensation award or bonus" with respect to
         any fiscal year shall be determined by multiplying the target salary
         percentage applicable to Executive for such year by the Reference
         Salary.

                  "Reference Long-Term Award" means, for each performance period
         that includes the date of a Change in Control under a long-term
         incentive plan maintained by the Company, the greater of (i) the actual
         award payable to Executive for such performance period, calculated as
         if such performance period had ended on the date of the Change in
         Control and (ii) the target award payable to Executive for such
         performance period.

                  "Reference Salary" means the greater of Executive's annual
         rate of Base Salary as in effect (i) upon the date of termination of
         Executive's employment, and (ii) immediately prior to the Change in
         Control.

                  "Severance Benefits" has the meaning accorded such term in
         Section 3.03.

                  "Subsidiary" of any Person means any other Person of which
         securities or other ownership interests having voting power to elect a
         majority of the board of directors or other Persons performing similar
         functions are at the time directly or indirectly owned by such Person.

                                       21
<PAGE>

                  "Successive Period" has the meaning accorded such term in
         Section 1.02.

                  "Total Payments" has the meaning accorded such term in Section
         4.01.

                  "Trust Instrument" has the meaning accorded such term in
         Section 2.01.

                  "Voting Stock" means securities of the Company entitled to
         vote generally in the election of members of the Board.





IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company and Executive have executed this Agreement, to
be effective as of the day and year first written above.



EXECUTIVE                           Delta Air Lines, Inc.


                                    By: 
-----------------------------            --------------------------------------
                                         Name:  Leo F. Mullin
                                         Title:  President and Chief Executive
                                         Officer



                                       22

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