In a departure from standard industry practices, Delta Air Lines once acquired an entire oil refinery in an effort to stabilize its fuel costs. The strategy, which industry observers have compared to a "rabbi buying a church," was designed to hedge against the unpredictable nature of jet fuel prices, which represent one of the largest expenses for any airline.

By owning the refinery, Delta sought to gain direct control over the production of jet fuel, effectively bypassing the traditional market fluctuations that often plague airline balance sheets. While most airlines rely on financial hedging or long-term supply contracts to manage fuel price risk, Delta’s decision to move into the refining business was a significant bet on vertical integration. The move allowed the company to refine crude oil into jet fuel, providing a buffer against the price spikes that frequently impact the aviation industry. This historical case remains a notable example of a corporation attempting to insulate itself from commodity market volatility by becoming its own supplier.