Delta Changing flights what to expect ?

[maryj11]

I have gotten an email from Delta saying our flight time has been changed. It is only by 5 minutes, so no big deal. They also changed our seats, we are still together but someone is in the seat by us . Our plane has changed from 3 seats one side 2 seats the other side to a plane with 3 seats on each side.
We depart October 14th and I have read so many posts about Delta continuing to change flight times and seats.
So we wanted to know do you think they will change it more or do we have anything to worry about ?
This makes me nervous, I paid extra on these flights to get the non stop with certain times that work out perfect for us. I hope they dont go messing it up.

 

[herb102211]

I have gotten an email from Delta saying our flight time has been changed. It is only by 5 minutes, so no big deal. They also changed our seats, we are still together but someone is in the seat by us . Our plane has changed from 3 seats one side 2 seats the other side to a plane with 3 seats on each side.
We depart October 14th and I have read so many posts about Delta continuing to change flight times and seats.
So we wanted to know do you think they will change it more or do we have anything to worry about ?
This makes me nervous, I paid extra on these flights to get the non stop with certain times that work out perfect for us. I hope they dont go messing it up.

This happened to us once with Delta and I was mad (especially since they changed the plane seats- 3x2 to 3x3 less than a month before we were scheduled to depart). They said there was nothing they could do about it since the plane type could change at any time.

A week later they changed our non-stop flight to a flight with a layover in ATL for 3 hours ( a non stop flight to MCO for us is only 2.5 hours). I called back and was able to get fully refunded. If they end up changing your flight to one with a layover, you will be able to get your money back at least. Hopefully, you'll have nothing to worry about though!

 

[sam_gordon]

This happened to us once with Delta and I was mad (especially since they changed the plane seats- 3x2 to 3x3 less than a month before we were scheduled to depart). They said there was nothing they could do about it since the plane type could change at any time.

A week later they changed our non-stop flight to a flight with a layover in ATL for 3 hours ( a non stop flight to MCO for us is only 2.5 hours). I called back and was able to get fully refunded. If they end up changing your flight to one with a layover, you will be able to get your money back at least. Hopefully, you'll have nothing to worry about though!

Sure, you can get a refund, but then you're forced to buy (usually more expensive by this point) other air tickets.

OP, the closer you get, the more the schedule gets set "in stone". I doubt you'll see any more changes, but that doesn't mean they won't happen.

If Delta changes your flights that change either your arrival or departure time by an hour or more, they will (usually) allow you to change to any other flight that day (arriving & departing the same airports). So, if they do make a significant change, before accepting the change, do a search between the two airports, find out which flight you would LIKE to be on (ignore pricing). Call Delta and tell them the change won't work for you, you'd like to be moved to flight 'xyz'.

 

[maryj11]

oh I hope they do not change us to have a lay over A non stop flight to MCO for us is 2 hours so I will be mad if they give us a lay over some where.

 

[maryj11]

Sure, you can get a refund, but then you're forced to buy (usually more expensive by this point) other air tickets.

OP, the closer you get, the more the schedule gets set "in stone". I doubt you'll see any more changes, but that doesn't mean they won't happen.

If Delta changes your flights that change either your arrival or departure time by an hour or more, they will (usually) allow you to change to any other flight that day (arriving & departing the same airports). So, if they do make a significant change, before accepting the change, do a search between the two airports, find out which flight you would LIKE to be on (ignore pricing). Call Delta and tell them the change won't work for you, you'd like to be moved to flight 'xyz'.

Thanks for all of the information. So if they change our flight time by more then an hour or give us a layover I can check at more then one airport or only the same airport for flights that we like ?

 

[Greysword]

Like Sam said...

Delta is notorious for changing hardware (planes) and shifting depart/arrival times a bit to meet the requirements across their network. For instance if the plane they had scheduled for you to depart on will be changed in another city, you'll get the same change. Same goes for departure/arrival windows based on anticipated traffic, weather, aircraft maintenance, etc.

The beauty of Delta, as Sam said, is that they will allow a complete revision of the flight should the time shift an hour or more. As such, you could change your flight schedule to better flight times, even if they were more expensive. Some frequent fliers count on this, booking award travel with four connections at the low price with the anticipation the airline will flub one of the arrival/departure times. Then, they book the non-stop that would have cost 3x the amount .

The biggest take away, for all Delta travelers, is to keep an eye on your flight itineraries! Once a change happens (and it will), get online and get the seat assignments you want quickly. if you can't get them together, call the airline. If they are no help, hang up and call back (just like CRO). You'll eventually get someone knowledgeable (or helpful) enough to get this straightened out.

 

[maryj11]

Like Sam said...

Delta is notorious for changing hardware (planes) and shifting depart/arrival times a bit to meet the requirements across their network. For instance if the plane they had scheduled for you to depart on will be changed in another city, you'll get the same change. Same goes for departure/arrival windows based on anticipated traffic, weather, aircraft maintenance, etc.

The beauty of Delta, as Sam said, is that they will allow a complete revision of the flight should the time shift an hour or more. As such, you could change your flight schedule to better flight times, even if they were more expensive. Some frequent fliers count on this, booking award travel with four connections at the low price with the anticipation the airline will flub one of the arrival/departure times. Then, they book the non-stop that would have cost 3x the amount .

The biggest take away, for all Delta travelers, is to keep an eye on your flight itineraries! Once a change happens (and it will), get online and get the seat assignments you want quickly. if you can't get them together, call the airline. If they are no help, hang up and call back (just like CRO). You'll eventually get someone knowledgeable (or helpful) enough to get this straightened out.

Do you think they will change our flights again ? I have another question, we will be in Disney and will have no internet but I will have my cell phone. I know I have my cell phone set on the site for them to call if any changes come about. This last change only went to my email. Is there a number for Delta I can call just to check to make sure they havent changed the flight time or anything while we are at Disney ? I'm worried we wont know about the any changes because they did not call my cell this last time. Thanks for your help

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

No one, not even a Delta employee, can possibly know if your flight time will change again. Keep on top of your reservation so you will be sure to be informed about changes; don't count on the airline for notifications. You can find the telephone number for Delta reservations on their website or just do a Google search.

 

[maryj11]

No one, not even a Delta employee, can possibly know if your flight time will change again. Keep on top of your reservation so you will be sure to be informed about changes; don't count on the airline for notifications. You can find the telephone number for Delta reservations on their website or just do a Google search.

Ok thank you

 

[Greysword]

Don't stress, just keep an eye out. Once back at the resort, you can ask the concierge desk to check your flight and seat assignment if you want. If you have a smart phone, it can access the Delta app and/or the internet.

 

[maryj11]

Don't stress, just keep an eye out. Once back at the resort, you can ask the concierge desk to check your flight and seat assignment if you want. If you have a smart phone, it can access the Delta app and/or the internet.

Ok thanks. I dont have a smart phone, I dont even have internet on my phone It just cost to much so I canceled internet and text.

 

[sam_gordon]

Thanks for all of the information. So if they change our flight time by more then an hour or give us a layover I can check at more then one airport or only the same airport for flights that we like ?

I don't know that adding a layover on it's own will entitle you to a free change, but I would ASSUME adding the layover would change either your departure or arrival time by an hour, which then kicks into the change.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Is there a number for Delta I can call just to check to make sure they havent changed the flight time or anything while we are at Disney ?

Yes. Delta has had a toll-free reservations and general information number since toll-free numbers were introduced. It's on their website and available through toll-free information.

 

[maryj11]

Yes. Delta has had a toll-free reservations and general information number since toll-free numbers were introduced. It's on their website and available through toll-free information.

Ok thanks I wasnt sure which number to add to my cell phone. Is it the reservations number that I need then ?

 

[ain0004]

We fly Delta (actually I prefer them). Our flight times have been changed. I have made an effort to check on our seats, at least once a week. Usually changes happen for us at least within 90days of departure. After that they only seem to change here and there by a few minutes. I doubt Delta would change your departing flight home. If there is a problem with your seat. The gate attendants try really hard to keep your family together. (at least in my experience)

 

[kaytieeldr]

Ok thanks I wasnt sure which number to add to my cell phone. Is it the reservations number that I need then ?

It's one number for both.

 

[seashoreCM]

I always suggest hand picking alternate flights you would like before calling.

While its contract of carriage usually gives the airline the right to "add or omit stopping points" I take the stance that if the airline has another available itinerary without the added stopping points that works out better for me then it must give me that itinerary upon my request at no added cost.

While the airline may have a rule that the change must be more than say 90 minutes before it will entertain a change request from you, if they add a stop and you depart the origin 50 minutes earlier and arrive at the destination 50 minutes later then that is a 100 minute change.

In technical terms, the airline has the right, for operational reasons, to add, delete, or reschedule flights, but not the right to assign affected passengers to flights on a "run of schedule" basis with any degree of finality, i.e. fitting passengers in where the airline feels it is convenient.

Delta is notorious for changing hardware (planes) and.

Highly OT: An often used aviation term for "hardware (planes)" is "metal". As in steel, aluminum, copper, etc.

 

[DebbieB]

I always suggest hand picking alternate flights you would like before calling.

While its contract of carriage usually gives the airline the right to "add or omit stopping points" I take the stance that if the airline has another available itinerary without the added stopping points that works out better for me then it must give me that itinerary upon my request at no added cost.

While the airline may have a rule that the change must be more than say 90 minutes before it will entertain a change request from you, if they add a stop and you depart the origin 50 minutes earlier and arrive at the destination 50 minutes later then that is a 100 minute change.

In technical terms, the airline has the right, for operational reasons, to add, delete, or reschedule flights, but not the right to assign affected passengers to flights on a "run of schedule" basis with any degree of finality, i.e. fitting passengers in where the airline feels it is convenient.


Highly OT: An often used aviation term for "hardware (planes)" is "metal". As in steel, aluminum, copper, etc.

The 90 minute rule can be flexible. A couple of years ago, the latest flight I could get for the lowest miles left MCO at 12:30pm. We usually like to stay until late afternoon or evening but it was a free ticket, so we went with it. Then they moved it to 12:00. I called and they said it has to be 90 minutes. So then a month or so went by and it was switched to 11:30. I called and said we had a character breakfast planned for that morning and by moving the flight earlier we would have to cancel it. I mentioned that I noticed there was now a flight for the same miles that left at 6:00pm. She found it and changed us to that one with no problem. So it really depends on who you get.