Delta changed our aircraft!

[Nathan's Grandma]

Just a FYI!

I am not sure if this is a widespread thing or if it is far and few in between but Delta changed our aircraft for our September 9 flights from Dayton, Oh and Atlanta, Ga. to MCO.

In the past we have been put all over the plane when this has happened but they actually kept us together on these flights. The last time this happened it was done on many of the Delta flights because of cutbacks and we had to end up flying out of another airport becuase we could not make the one flight.

 

[dzneelvr]

I guess I'm confused by the post title. Changing the type of aircraft isn't that unusual. Depending on the flight volume, they sometimes downsize to a different model. Or if there is mechanical problems on the intended aircraft, there will be a different one set up.

If you are saying the flight now goes into another airport than the original one, I have no experience with that. But Delta is in major financial trouble and I suppose they are doing anything to cut costs.
Somewhere in the fine print, you can bet this is a possibility.

 

[Nathan's Grandma]

dzneelvr:

I know they change aircraft all the time but when the computer reassigned seats families are not always together on the plane. If you know it ahead of time you can call and make sure if you have small ones they are seated with a parent. The last time Delta changed aircraft our 10-month-old grandson was all alone. I know this would not have happened on the actual flight but many people that don’t check don’t know until they get to the airport. It is not a fun way to start a vacation.

The only reason I put in about the flight change is I am not sure if Delta is going be making major changes like last year with them so close to going under or into bankruptcy and I just wanted people to be aware.

I apologize I did not make myself more clear.

 

[lkohawaii]

Of the 3 times we've flown United has changed our plane all 3 times. I'm one of those that book early...like a year in advance. From my experiences I book the first row I can in the regular cabin. Uniited has usually increased the plane size. From my experience when this happens you keep your seat assignment...just the location in the plane moves. So, by my location moving I paid economy fair but was seated in economy plus. This is the first time I'm going to try this seating to sit in economy plus. All the other times I was just lucky. One time we were was placed all over the plane and there were 5 of us going. They put the 2 families together. Just keep watching the kind of plane on the company's web site and call as soon as you notice a change. Sometime it can be to your advantage.

 

[georgina]

Good luck with Delta. We've flown them 4 times this summer, and delays caused missed connections 3 out of the 4 times. Usually it was because the plane we were taking was delayed arriving at our departure airport, so we were late taking off, and everyone on the plane missed their connections! Is this an industry-wide trend? Or is it just Delta scheduling their flights too close?

 

[Lori-n-NY]

I have flown Delta three times in 9 months.
For my up coming Sept trip I purchased my daughters ticket seperate from mine (used two different credit cards) so our names were not linked. When they changed the plane size we were not seated together anymore. I was online when I noticed and just signed in with my Skymiles number and switch my seat to be next to hers again. SO far thigns have not changed again.
I have had almost no problems with delays. This most recent trip we were due to land in MCO at 11:36 and landed at 11:45 but took another 15 minutes till we were off the plane. SO basically about 25 minutes late but the is the worst of all my flights total of 12 departures and arrivals. I hope my luck holds out because I'm flying again in Sept and then again for a quick weekend in Oct for the MNSSHP because plane fare is so much cheaper then I am used to out of SYRacuse NY. I will have made 5 trips within 1 year to WDW...call me crazy but we love it.

The best thing to do with any airline is check your reservations at least once a week to see if anything has chanded.

Lori

 

[poohbear2]

This happened to us a two years ago. We were booked on a large plane then it was switched to one of those tiny planes. I called up directly and explained my mother's concern. The agent was very nice and booked us on another flight of our choice and got the seat assignment taken care of.

 

[Esmerelda]

I have to echo the sentiments of Georgina....I think her family and mine have flown the exact same times with Delta!!! LOL....(just kidding..I gave up on them about 3 years ago) As I said before, there IS a reason their flights are cheaper. They separated me and my boys at least 3 different times when we had seats waaay in advance already assigned...and you're right, its not a fun way to start a vacation!

hoping the original poster has a good trip!
Esmerelda

 

[erikthewise]

Yes Delta does this all the time.
If you're flying from Dayton, you should fly Airtran!!
There is a daily non-stop, and even if you don't use the nonstop I would prefer Airtran to Delta. I'm still a Delta fan but Airtran has won me over.
No problem with changing aircraft because they only have one kind! Nearly their entire fleet is 717s, though they have just started to receive some 737s.

 

[Beast fan]

Yes, Delta changes their aircraft frequently.

Georgina, just out of curiousity..... when you make your reservations with Delta.... do you make them KNOWING it might be a "close call"? Don't get mad. I've done it before, especially with changing planes at ATL.
Luckily, after I make an airline ressie, I check my reservation EVERY DAY, just in case the times get a bit too close for comfort. In fact, a couple of times, my arrival/departure times at ATL switched (on both ends) so much that my departure time from ATL was actually EARLIER than my arrival time into ATL. A quick call to Delta changed that and, each time, was put on a non-stop.

Dave

 

[Miss Jasmine]

Originally posted by dzneelvr
But Delta is in major financial trouble and I suppose they are doing anything to cut costs.

This is not true. Delta MAY be going through Reorganization just like most of the other major carriers have done post 9/11. Part of this is to break the pilots contract because the pilot's are not willing to renegotiate.

 

[Esmerelda]

great suggestion erikthewise....

I have flown Airtran many times with zero problems...

Of course its too late for the original poor poster but I do hope they can have a good trip. I should correct myself also...my group and I had assigned seats waaay in advance then our planes were changed (or cancelled) and we were separated. My youngest at the time was maybe 5 and YES we were all separate on the plane...it was me in the middle....my 8 yr old down one side...then my 5 year old down the other on an L1011 and NO one would give up their seats for us to move together because everyone was so pissed because we all got thrown onto this flight by Delta....it was not our original flight. We had plenty of time for the record to catch our connecting flight.


happy planning,
Esmerelda

 

[Nathan's Grandma]

erikthewise

I had no idea AirTran flew out of Dayton. I know many people who fly it from Indy all the time and love it. We never looked into it because my husband does not want to drive the hour and a half.

I will look in to it for future trips we are taking.

 

[erikthewise]

Originally posted by Nathan's Grandma
erikthewise

I had no idea AirTran flew out of Dayton. I know many people who fly it from Indy all the time and love it. We never looked into it because my husband does not want to drive the hour and a half.

I will look in to it for future trips we are taking.

I think someone's confusing Airtran with ATA Airlines (formerly American Trans Air). Both fly Dayton-Orlando, but ATA has no nonstops and routes you through Chicago/Midway, so it's not a good choice out of Dayton. ATA has nonstops Indianapolis-Orlando, but Airtran does not fly out of Indianapolis at all.