Delta is studying possible deals with US Airways or American Airlines.
Delta is working with Goldman Sachs Group Inc. as one of its financial advisers, along with Blackstone Group, the people said.
Delta sees itself as a consolidator in the airline industry and is studying several options, the people added. AMR entered bankruptcy-court protection in late November.
Delta hasn’t yet approached US Airways, the No. 5 U.S. airline, and is still weighing which deal if any would make most sense and have the best odds of success, the people familiar with the matter said. Delta’s last transaction was in 2008, when it acquired Northwest Airlines.