Captain Patrick Burns is Vice President – Flight Operations & System Chief Pilot for Delta Air Lines. Patrick oversees the administrative support for more than 14,000 pilots who safely operate 3,000 daily flights. In addition to the day-to-day operation, Patrick manages safety programs, pilot outreach and hiring teams, as well as regulatory compliance and labor relations functions in Flight Operations. He also serves on the NextGen Advisory Committee.

Prior to his role as VP, Captain Burns served as the Managing Director of Flying Operations, Chief Technical Pilot – Ops Programs and Strategy and in the New York and Atlanta Chief Pilot Offices.

Originally from the Philadelphia area, Captain Burns graduated from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Prescott AZ and began his flying career as a flight instructor and freight pilot before joining the regional airlines. Hired by Delta in 1999, he has flown the B727, B737, B757, B767 and B717 aircraft.

Patrick’s wife Jennifer and family live in the Atlanta area.