Delta Air Lines Inc., the third- largest U.S. carrier, said incoming Chief Executive Officer Richard Anderson will receive a salary and bonus of as much as $1.5 million a year, and $15 million in incentives spread over three years.

The total includes a base salary of $600,000 and an annual bonus of up to $900,000, Atlanta-based Delta said in a U.S. regulatory filing today.

Anderson will also receive $11 million to make up for compensation he'll forfeit in leaving his $4.3 million-a-year post at UnitedHealth Group Inc., and $4 million in additional long-term incentives, both spread over three years, Delta said.

The pay package puts Anderson in the "middle of the pack with other airline executives," spokeswoman Betsy Talton said in an interview.