Airlines have passed soaring fuel costs along to travelers for months, and industry observers have watched for signs that consumers hit their limit. But airline executives say it hasn't happened yet, and Delta said Friday that volatile fuel prices won't knock its year off course. The airline reaffirmed it expects profits of $6.50 to $7.50 per share this year.

Delta's stock-and those of other major airlines-traded lower after the Atlanta carrier reported second-quarter results that beat analysts' expectations, despite fuel prices that the airline said were the highest in its history.

Travel is "something consumers continue to prioritize," CEO Ed Bastian said in an interview. Ticket prices remain a good deal, he said, since airfare hasn't seen the same run-up as many other goods in recent years: "While they've jumped recently, they're certainly not expensive."

Airline stocks have been closely tied to the ups and downs of oil prices in recent months, and surged in recent weeks as the U.S. and Iran progressed toward a ceasefire.