Delta keeps changing flights on me!!

[I Believe n Fairies]

I booked my flights some time ago, and my flights have changed three times now!! Now, my departing flight is an hour earlier so I'm leaving at 7am , and our return flight has been changed and our return is an hour earlier.

I haven't called to give my ME info, but I'm afraid that my flights may change again. Does any one know how this will effect ME if they change after I call Dis? I'm so frustrated, because everytime the flight changes I have to call Delta and have seats reassigned. This is our first experience with Delta, and so far I'm not impressed. We are not avid fliers, so maybe this is all normal, and I'm just not an imformed passenger.

Any ideas??

 

[bavaria]

We are not avid fliers, so maybe this is all normal, and I'm just not an imformed passenger.

this is the case... it is completely normal. Legacy carriers change schedules at least 4x per year, so expect at least 1-2 more changes before your trip.

Delta tends to change more than most.

 

[seashoreCM]

Going to Disney, if you are early or tardy for ME by a few hours, the folks at the welcoming area won't even take notice.

Except if you are due in after 11 PM, try to make sure ME has your final flight number.

Disney hints: http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/magicx.htm

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

This won't help you for this trip, but in the future if you have Southwest at your airport, try them. I've used them for our last 5 vacations and they've never changed flight times on us. The reason for this is that you can only book 4-6 mos. in advance so it's rare that they have to change things unless of course it's weather-related.
Also there are no fees to change flights and if you find that prices have gone down, you can rebook to get a credit with 1 yr. to use (from original date of purchase) or if you haven't changed any dates or times when you rebook, you can have the difference credited back to your cc.
This is why we LOVE SWA!

 

[DisnyMama]

I have flown with Delta (LAX to MCO) a few times in the past 6 years. This is a regular thing they do. It made me very nervous. Just watch your flight number for that date on a regular basis but all should end up ok.

I don't know why they do this. Since I now live in the Dallas/Fort Worth area I fly American to MCO or to LAX/Burbank and they may fluctuate by a few minutes but nothing like Delta's flight times.

Don't worry.

 

[Tanmadpey]

I feeel your pain. We are flying LAX to MCO in July and have had the same issues. I've never used Delta before and I don't think I will again. I'm on the phone to them every week getting our seats reassigned just because they changed the flight times by 10 minutes.

I could understand it at first since we booked so far in advance, but they are still changing the times and it's only 6 weeks away...it's frustrating!

 

[bavaria]

Airlines make schedule changes in order to best manage inventory. This is thanks to all those consumers who 'expect' unreasonably low fares. Airlines cannot run a business model on $79 fares, yet over and over we see the expectation here.

The demand for these low fares causes the airlines to constantly adjust schedules in order to ensure that they are flying with as full a load as possible.

Yes, Southwest does not do this, but they also don't release schedules a year in advance.

 

[cccm]

I chose Delta because they had a 7:35 PM flight from BOS to MCO. It is DDs last day at camp and it would allow her to go to camp and then fly out. They changed it twice and I believe we are now at a 6:35.

Flight home has changed to 30 minutes later.

It is normal, especially for Delta. I just keep an eye on my reservations and watch things change. It shows the history and the new time with the confirmed next to it.

I think I am just going to roll with whatever happens this trip (as long as I get down there), sit back and watch the show.

 

[I Believe n Fairies]

Thanks so much everyone for the replies. Last year we flew SW and everything went smoothly. This time, Delta flights were cheaper by a small bit, so we went with them. I've learned my lesson.

I'll just keep checking my flights, reassiging my seats, and stay on the phone with Dis to adjust my ME.

As long as I get there, it'll be fine. I just have to keep telling myself that...

 

[gokenin]

i book delta whenever i go down to disney, I know that delta changes times and the thing i have learned is that if the plane is booked full with the exception of first class after the schedule change then it is more than likely that you will have this flight as the final flight. I would say that if you are within a two months of the flight you should be safe making your ME plans.

 

[ttfn3]

We fly both Delta and Southwest to Florida. We had several flight changes for our March 2007 flights. Once Delta actually called and offered me $150 per person to rebook a flight - since with the flight shifts/cancellations they were way overbooked. I told them I thought we could work something out. I actually changed both of our flights (down & back). Got great seat assignments (which is one of the reasons I like flying Delta - we can pick our seats out ahead of time).

Then, I found our flight had changed about 5 weeks before we were due to fly - just by chance I checked the flights online. Delta had not changed our flight times - they changed the plane on one flight. Same exact size. I only knew since one our seats was showing available. I don't understand how this happened but it did. I called and the Delta reps were less than helpful getting us seats all together.

That said - the flights actually turned out just fine. Somehow we ended up mostly together for all our flights. Fortunately, DS sat by one of us for both flights.

I'm looking to use those $150 vouchers for a trip in July - so I hope it works out fine this time.

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

Airlines cannot run a business model on $79 fares, yet over and over we see the expectation here.

Sorry, but SWA has spoiled me. The last 5 trips I've booked with them and ended up with $49 each way except for 1 leg was $79. So yes, now I expect $49 fares. SW created this atmosphere and we've grown accustomed to it.

 

[jcodespoti]

Sorry, but SWA has spoiled me. The last 5 trips I've booked with them and ended up with $49 each way except for 1 leg was $79. So yes, now I expect $49 fares. SW created this atmosphere and we've grown accustomed to it.

I hope your right...but the fuel hedging contracts are getting ready to expire.



Joe in CT

 

[tjderf]

I understand your frustration. Delta has changed flight times 4 or 5 times. Sometimes only by a few minutes. But I still had to call so I could get seats reserved. The last time they changed it, they automatically assigned new seats, not sure if it is because I am traveling with 2 minors or not. When I booked ME last week, they told me if flight times change, not to worry about it they would find out but if flight numbers changed to contact them.

 

[WDWorBUST]

Delta does change flights a LOT. But I have found them to be very willing to work with you when they do. For example....I book the cheapest flights at the times I can tolerate. If they change and it is unacceptable to me I have just called them and told them that for "X" reason the new flight time will not work and tell them a flight that I see available that will and so far they have been great. ALSO....you can use ME back to the airport and check your bags at your resort with Delta. I LOVE SW - I mean LOVE LOVE LOVE SW....but until they become a "partner" with ME I will go with Delta if they have a reasonable fare.

 

[D L and K's Mom]

14 times when we booked. We did book months and months in advance. They took away the direct flight and changed the times over and over. The time changes were usually only a few minutes difference but I had to go through thte hassle of re-booking our seats. There were 7 of us and noe handicapped person who needed front seat. It was horrible and they were not very helpful I am sorry you are having problems.

 

[katiedid0801]

Delta does change flights a LOT. But I have found them to be very willing to work with you when they do. For example....I book the cheapest flights at the times I can tolerate. If they change and it is unacceptable to me I have just called them and told them that for "X" reason the new flight time will not work and tell them a flight that I see available that will and so far they have been great. ALSO....you can use ME back to the airport and check your bags at your resort with Delta. I LOVE SW - I mean LOVE LOVE LOVE SW....but until they become a "partner" with ME I will go with Delta if they have a reasonable fare.

Just curious-you do know that you an still use ME if you fly SWA, right? We did last year and it was great!

 

[darlak]

I swore I wouldn't fly Delta again this year because of all the last minute changes. The worst was this past April when they changed our return flight home by 2 hours (earlier of course, I would have been fine with a later flight!) However, when I was able to get flights for this September for over $100 less per seat (x 6) than I've ever paid before, I booked with them again. For a savings of over $600, I'll just be more flexible.

 

[kimberh]

We are flying to Vancouver in July, Delta has changed our flights 3 times, I have 15 people flying. I am really getting frustated. It is 3 hrs on the phone every time they do this.

 

[seashoreCM]

Just curious-you do know that you an still use ME if you fly SWA, right? We did last year and it was great!

Yes, Southwest and ME work the same way as before and the same way as with any other airline, and also including that you still cannot check luggage home while at the resort.

Disney hints: http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/disney.htm

When a flight changes, is it just for that day or does the same flight number all month long have the new time?