Delta-Seats

[ChesC12]

Hi everybody,
Me and my cousin are goign to the World a week from today . We will fly into MCO and bought our tickets with Delta. Well they changed our flights, giving us an hour and a half more of layover in ATL. I called righ away when I noticed the change, but the lady I spoke to said that she could not put us in an earlier flight from ATL to MCO since that wasn't the flight that was changed. I kept thinking about it, and I gave them another call today. The lady I talked to this time said that she would be able to put us in an earlier flight. Problem is we would have to have our seats assigned at the airport because she is not showing any seats at the moment. My question is: Do you think we would be able to change that specific flight from ATL to MCO at my hometown airport the day we leave for Orlando, so that way the can check right there and see if there are two seats together? Sorry for the book I wrote! TIA

 

[firstcruise]

Good luck! Don't have an answer for you, but delays are rampant out of ATL too, so keep that in mind.

Delta is by far the worst airline flying at the moment. It doesn't surprise me they changed your flight information and be sure to get to the airport real early or they will purposely keep their employees in the back to get more of your money. This is especially true if you're flying out of Buffalo, NY. They are notorious for keeping the employees in the back as it gets close to the 45 minute mark of departing flights. Low and behold they will suddenly come out of the back 29 minutes to go and tell you, sorry you weren't here on time, even though you were. Well, you and the long line of people at the quick serve (curb side checkin).

I'd pay twice as much to go with another carrier than ever fly Delta again. Just think of how much money they've lost out on all these years.

 

[Jestocost]

It is likely that you won't be able to get your seat assignments for the ATL-MCO leg until you get to your departure gate in ATL. You never can tell, but you certainly can't count on anything but that.

 

[Tara]

I'd hardly call Delta the "worst airline flying." It's possible that when you arrive at your home airport, you can choose seats at that point. Or try checking in online 24 hours prior to your initial departure and you might be able to choose the ATL seat assignments. If not, you can possibly get seats together in ATL, but if not, it won't be the end of the world if you can't sit together on the flight, right? It's a pretty short flight anyway.

 

[firstcruise]

I'd hardly call Delta the "worst airline flying."

Guess it's been awhile since you've dealt with them? Ever asked them any questions or had any customer service issues? If and when (no doubt it's just a matter of time) you will come to the same conclusion that Delta is by far the worst airline out there. They could care less about their customers and that's the bottom line. Take a look at all the rip off reports and Delta has loads of them. Try BBB and look at all the complaints and they still had a good rating (as of several years ago, haven't looked in awhile) because they are/were paid Members. My complaint was "settled" because Delta provided a letter they sent me acknowleding the complaint but that's it.

 

[Tara]

Guess it's been awhile since you've dealt with them?

Absolutely not.

Ever asked them any questions or had any customer service issues? If and when (no doubt it's just a matter of time) you will come to the same conclusion that Delta is by far the worst airline out there. They could care less about their customers and that's the bottom line. Take a look at all the rip off reports and Delta has loads of them. Try BBB and look at all the complaints and they still had a good rating (as of several years ago, haven't looked in awhile) because they are/were paid Members. My complaint was "settled" because Delta provided a letter they sent me acknowleding the complaint but that's it.

Frankly, I find this pretty presumptuous and condescending. You have no idea how often I fly. I have always had good service from Delta, period. I fly very frequently for work, so I'm no stranger to various airlines. I'm sorry you have had poor experiences with them. That has not been my experience at all, hence my statement that I would hardly call them the "worst airline flying."

To each their own. I expressed my opinion and experience. Sorry if you are disappointed that it doesn't match your own or that not everyone out there bashes Delta. But don't suggest that just because I disagree with you I don't know what I'm talking about.

 

[Tara]

Guess it's been awhile since you've dealt with them? Ever asked them any questions or had any customer service issues? If and when (no doubt it's just a matter of time) you will come to the same conclusion that Delta is by far the worst airline out there. They could care less about their customers and that's the bottom line. Take a look at all the rip off reports and Delta has loads of them. Try BBB and look at all the complaints and they still had a good rating (as of several years ago, haven't looked in awhile) because they are/were paid Members. My complaint was "settled" because Delta provided a letter they sent me acknowleding the complaint but that's it.

Oh, I did have a customer service issue earlier this year. Leaving Heathrow for JFK, the plane had not been properly serviced, so all the menu choices in the first class cabin were not available. I was informed of this at Sky Priority check-in and automatically given a $200 voucher for my "inconvenience." Note that the catering was still most of the first class service, not coach catering. There were just fewer choices. (And I don't even know what was missing - I got exactly what I ordered.)

A colleague experienced what she felt was lackluster service on the same route earlier in the year and wrote a letter stating as much. She received a very prompt response with an apology and her Sky Miles account was credited with a nice chunk of miles.

 

[DebbieB]

Guess it's been awhile since you've dealt with them? Ever asked them any questions or had any customer service issues? If and when (no doubt it's just a matter of time) you will come to the same conclusion that Delta is by far the worst airline out there. They could care less about their customers and that's the bottom line. Take a look at all the rip off reports and Delta has loads of them. Try BBB and look at all the complaints and they still had a good rating (as of several years ago, haven't looked in awhile) because they are/were paid Members. My complaint was "settled" because Delta provided a letter they sent me acknowleding the complaint but that's it.

I fly Delta all the time (latest was Friday to SNA, returning home Sunday) and haven't had a major problem with them that could not be resolved to my satisfaction. Any time they have changed my flights, I ended up with better flights.

My vote for worst airline in my experience is USAirways.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Delta is by far the worst airline flying at the moment. It doesn't surprise me they changed your flight information and be sure to get to the airport real early or they will purposely keep their employees in the back to get more of your money.

Claim makes no sense whatsoever.

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

Hi everybody,
Me and my cousin are goign to the World a week from today . We will fly into MCO and bought our tickets with Delta. Well they changed our flights, giving us an hour and a half more of layover in ATL. I called righ away when I noticed the change, but the lady I spoke to said that she could not put us in an earlier flight from ATL to MCO since that wasn't the flight that was changed. I kept thinking about it, and I gave them another call today. The lady I talked to this time said that she would be able to put us in an earlier flight. Problem is we would have to have our seats assigned at the airport because she is not showing any seats at the moment. My question is: Do you think we would be able to change that specific flight from ATL to MCO at my hometown airport the day we leave for Orlando, so that way the can check right there and see if there are two seats together? Sorry for the book I wrote! TIA

No, you will be charged then. You need to either take the change now or stick with what you have. On the day of flight it's no longer the "involuntary" change, but a Same Day Confirmed $50 a person.


Delta is a HECK of a lot better then the bottom feeders out there (See Spirit) and generally equal to the other majors. IMHO based on lots of travel message board reading.. Most "whining" about the "worst airline" is "I wanted to do something that's not allowed and the airline wouldn't bend their rules for me". Just yesterday I saw one on Hawaiian AIrlines.... Guy wanted to blame them because he got to security 30 minutes before the flight and has "knee braces" that always require manual scanning... When he got the gate 8 minutes before departure the door was closed and the airline would not delay the other 200 plus passengers for him Considering the "complaint" above I am almost willing to bet it's another "I arrived late at the airport and that's the airlines fault" story!)

 

[kaytieeldr]

Just yesterday I saw one on Hawaiian AIrlines.... Guy wanted to blame them because he got to security 30 minutes before the flight and has "knee braces" that always require manual scanning... When he got the gate 8 minutes before departure the door was closed and the airline would not delay the other 200 plus passengers for him

Well, if you want to use that basis... there was the time with Delta that I arrived at the airport in plenty of time, checked in at the counter, got the wheelchair I requested - and then nobody showed up to wheel me through security and to the gate! I waited, I asked, I asked again... finally a manager started helping me, with less than a half hour to departure. Naturally, something set off the detector. The TSA person was apologizing and explaining what she was doing. I said, "I don't care, you don't need to tell me anything, my plane leaves in seventeen minutes, I just want to be on it!".

Finally a redcap showed up and took over. Now, the Delta terminal in Boston is relatively big. Once through security, you go down an escalator or elevator, across a lonnnnnnnnnnnng concourse, and up to the gate at the other end. Naturally, my gate is at the far end of the terminal. We're approaching, and there are NO passengers in the seats. I'm waving, yelling (quietly ) "I'm coming!", and the Gate Agents are asking me if I'm kaytieeldr. Apparently because the airline/airport couldn't get anyone to assist me, they held the plane for me. Not long, but probably I boarded at the time they thought they'd already be pulling away from the gate.

Oh, then there was the mechanical delay that caused me to miss the last bus home. Delta gave me a voucher for a taxi.

I have NO issues with Delta or their customer service.

 

[dis_guy]

We had some flights change for us on United and in the rebooking our seat selections were lost. We only found out about this at the airport. For our first flight to DEN only two of us were able to sit together, the other two were apart. Once we got to DEN we were waiting for our boarding call for our flight to MCO when we heard our name being called. I went to the desk and was given upgraded (ExPlus) boarding passes for all four of us so that we could sit together. Apparently the gate agent for our first flight put in a request for us to be upgraded if possible.

With airlines, you just never know how your trip will go.

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

Well, if you want to use that basis... there was the time with Delta that I arrived at the airport in plenty of time, checked in at the counter, got the wheelchair I requested - and then nobody showed up to wheel me through security and to the gate! I waited, I asked, I asked again... finally a manager started helping me, with less than a half hour to departure. Naturally, something set off the detector. The TSA person was apologizing and explaining what she was doing. I said, "I don't care, you don't need to tell me anything, my plane leaves in seventeen minutes, I just want to be on it!".

Finally a redcap showed up and took over. Now, the Delta terminal in Boston is relatively big. Once through security, you go down an escalator or elevator, across a lonnnnnnnnnnnng concourse, and up to the gate at the other end. Naturally, my gate is at the far end of the terminal. We're approaching, and there are NO passengers in the seats. I'm waving, yelling (quietly ) "I'm coming!", and the Gate Agents are asking me if I'm kaytieeldr. Apparently because the airline/airport couldn't get anyone to assist me, they held the plane for me. Not long, but probably I boarded at the time they thought they'd already be pulling away from the gate.

Oh, then there was the mechanical delay that caused me to miss the last bus home. Delta gave me a voucher for a taxi.

I have NO issues with Delta or their customer service.

I don't think the Hawaiian Airlines whiner had that complaint. He just decided to cut it VERY close. (I am sure that if he had expected "assistance" he would have posted that and honestly, he might have done better.)

I was just in Boston and those Delta gates are a LONG way from security. You did good and planned ahead, what happened next wasn't really under your control hg

The secret is to give yourself extra time not play the "wait until the last minute" game. (In the airport right now and the folks behind me at security were having a "nervous breakdown" over the "length" of the line. Line took 10 minutes. So if they missed that flight, IMHO it's not "security" .. of course she was planning to "sue the TSA if I miss this flight")

 

[safetymom]

I fly Delta all the time (latest was Friday to SNA, returning home Sunday) and haven't had a major problem with them that could not be resolved to my satisfaction. Any time they have changed my flights, I ended up with better flights.

My vote for worst airline in my experience is USAirways.

I agree with Debbie. I have had nothing but great experiences with Delta.

 

[GEB@okw]

My wife and I are both Gold Medallion on Delta (50,000 plus miles a year) and we think Delta is the best airline out there. We love their service and free upgrades to first class. The flight attendants are alway super. Take it from someone who really does fly.

 

[kaytieeldr]

I don't think the Hawaiian Airlines whiner had that complaint. He just decided to cut it VERY close. (I am sure that if he had expected "assistance" he would have posted that and honestly, he might have done better.)

Oh, I understand! I was just using that man's poor planning as a jumping-off point, to demonstrate to the poster complaining about Delta's "poor" customer service how great I've actually found it to be!

The secret is to give yourself extra time not play the "wait until the last minute" game. (In the airport right now and the folks behind me at security were having a "nervous breakdown" over the "length" of the line. Line took 10 minutes. So if they missed that flight, IMHO it's not "security" .. of course she was planning to "sue the TSA if I miss this flight" )

Right! My brother, who lives about ten minutes from the airport, found out the hard way - when AA says your luggage has to be checked "at least 45 minutes" prior to departure, they mean the transaction has to be completed before the 45th minute starts, i.e. 46 minutes or more. An eight hour flight ended up taking him twelve hours (because he ultimately missed his - 'stuff happened') and his luggage 36 hours.

 

[DebbieB]

Just got home from my trip to Disneyland on Delta. All 4 flights were on time or early. No luggage problems (checked one bag free due to Delta American Exp). On the SNA-ATL flight today, they served drinks & small snacks (biscoff cookies, peanuts or pretzels) 3 times. Plane had seatback TV. Free wi-fi due to GoGo promotion for December, although sometimes it was full. This trip gave me silver medallion status for next year.

 

[ChesC12]

Thanks everyone for your opinions and responses! I really appreciate it! I still don't know what to do. I know it is a short flight but this is my cousin's first time on a plane and to WDW so I really want to be there with her. On the other hand, 2 more hours in WDW is a lot of time and we could do many, many things during that time! Arghhh, hate making this kind of decisions

 

[Tara]

Thanks everyone for your opinions and responses! I really appreciate it! I still don't know what to do. I know it is a short flight but this is my cousin's first time on a plane and to WDW so I really want to be there with her. On the other hand, 2 more hours in WDW is a lot of time and we could do many, many things during that time! Arghhh, hate making this kind of decisions

Go for the earlier flight that they can put you on without seats next to each other. Try to get the best seats you can - ask for 2 aisle seats. With any luck, you can change your seat assignment on the day of the flight because some seats are blocked for assignment at the airport. If not, with 2 aisles, you very well might be able to get someone to switch with one of you. I know if I'm flying alone, I'll gladly give up a middle seat in exchange for an aisle seat.

And it will be her second time on a plane since she'll have already flown to Atlanta.

 

[jennib5426]

Delta blocks off many seats on a flight, it may look booked but there is actually 4 - 10 seats available. The first row in coach (bulkhead) is always blocked off until departure day for people who may need easy access seating, such as people in wheel chairs. I would suggest take the earlier flight, get to airport early and you may get lucky and get to choose seats when u check in. If not when u get to atlanta ask gate agent if the front row in coach is still open. If no luck just ask someone on board to switch they are usually pretty open to it.
If there are delays in Atlanta due to weather this whole theory goes to pot..LOL

Good luck