Delta Air Lines Inc. predicted continued strong demand into next year after reporting better-than-expected earnings for the third quarter, helped by leisure travelers splurging on premium seats and a rebound in corporate travel.

The stock rose the most since August after the carrier said adjusted earnings per share were $1.71, higher than the $1.56 average of analysts’ estimates compiled by Bloomberg. Full-year EPS will be about $6, also ahead of the analyst consensus, with Delta saying it’s “well positioned to deliver top-line growth, margin expansion and earnings improvement” next year.

The result came at the high end of the company’s guidance of adjusted earnings of $1.25 to $1.75 per share.

“Our customer is financially in a good spot,” Chief Executive Officer Ed Bastian said in an i

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