Do you like Delta?

[KimandBrian]

I've always flown SWA and on our upcoming trip we are flying Delta. I have never flown Delta before and would like some input. I have read some mixed reviews about the airline on here but I would like to know of any common complaints we should be aware of before our flight Anything positive would be nice to know too.

Thanks in advance for any responses!

 

[Tyr23]

We're flying Delta on our trip to Orlando. We're spending a week in Cincinnati on our way back to Seattle from Orlando and Delta is the only airlines with direct flights from Cinci.

We've flown them several times and never had a problem.

 

[villainwdw]

I do not......BUT that is because from Boston to Orlando they fly 737's which I really do not like! so I take American to orlando!! If the planes are bigger I am sure it would be better.....but also form Bos to Mco....they do not serve anything so AA does! and AA is cheaper for me........so it depends on where you are coming form!!

 

[Laurajean1014]

We're doing opposite!

We always fly Delta, but SWA had best flight costs for our next 3 trips.........

Delta, imho, is a very nice airline. The employees are very nice and they are organized. From time to time, my family has encountered late take offs. On average they are probably about 5-20 minutes late in take off, about 70% of time. Once we had to wait 1:30 hour delay, due to maintenance issue (did not get scared, was happy that they fixed problem). Also, Delta has never lost our luggage (always a plus).

Last year, our travel agent (no more) gave us paper tix for Delta flight. I am usually super organized, but lost the return tix! After dealing with numerous people on phone, we met a great (red coat) manager at check-in. We paid $70/pp fee for lost tix. The manager told us we would get a refund if we found tix. Well, our first night home, we found tix. Delta phone customer service told us that we could not recoop our loss, $210! However, after persistance on mine and AMEX part, they refunded us $140 (took about 2 letters and 5 months to clear off credit card)!

I was pleased with the end result, because air industry can be extremely slow, starch and greedy. Delta was not. Also, they always treat my son with great respect.

A real plus for us...................

 

[Chuck S]

I like Delta and they are the main airline I fly. I do fly SWA to Vegas since their packages are substantially cheaper from SAT. Delta employees have always been very helpful and nice, and they upgraded us to First Class when one of our flights were cancelled and they had to re-route us (I know that was probably a once in a lifetime upgrade). I like SWA, too, but I don't fly enough for their Frequent Flier program...Delta miles don't expire unless you don't fly with them at least once every 3 years.

 

[Pluto4President]

I used to like Delta until they recently changed our flights from non-stop to a layover. That wasn't bad enough but we weren't notified. I only happened to find out reading these boards.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

I like Delta also. I usually find myself in a toss up between Delta and SWA for my flights to FL.
As to 737's, not sure what the problem is for the person posting here, but, they are wonderfully safe planes. I could care less how big or how small a plane is (except I will NOT fly on anything with a propeller (sp?)) as I only need one or two seats, not the entire plane.

 

[travelcoupons]

Originally posted by Chuck S
Delta miles don't expire unless you don't fly with them at least once every 3 years.

Actually you don't even have to fly with them every 3 years to keep your miles. Just use any partner of theirs at least once every 3 years to get some Skymiles and the miles will remain forever. (Examples : MCI,AMex skymiles card,car rental,hotel stay,etc.)

 

[GoldenOldie]

Any account activity at all - including miles redemptions - will reset the SkyMiles expiration clock to a new three years from date cycle.

 

[villainwdw]

Gail,
I do not like 737's becasue I have a panic disorder and find the planes VERY small .....and I was sitting and saw that the planes were not in good shape! why should I fly Delta when it cost less for me to fly a bigger and better plane?? and I have had severl run ins with Delta and money issues!

 

[cindala]

We have flown Delta several times, and have not had any problems, except for this year when a carry on item was stolen, but that is another story, and I'm still working on it.

Delta is very professional, and for us, much cheaper than Continental. Our flights have been on time, and we have always been treated well. The seats as on most planes though, could be roomier.

I have to agree with villianwdw about the 737's though. There have been several major stories on TV about the problem with the rudders. I am not a great flier, but I manage. However, I also do my research. A good site I use is www.airsafe.com . You can look up incidences and accidents by airplane type, airline, etc. It's very informative, and gives you a feeling for what is safer. (I'm also not thrilled with md80's in which there were several incidences just in July).

I think you should be satisfied with Delta.

 

[CarolA]

One of the things you will learn here, is that everyone has at LEAST one airline they don't like. Personally, I have those I like and those I don't. However, basically all of the major airlines are the same. I don't really worry about the safety of the plane. I think you have a MUCH better chance of being killed in a car accident on the way to the airport! (And I know that has to be true for Boston!)

I find that reading up on the airplanes etc... just makes people nervous and there is not much you can do. The airlines can and will change planes on you (except for some like SW that only have one type of plane!) So even though you are all geared up for a widebody, you may wind up on something smaller!

Have a good trip!

 

[KimandBrian]

Thanks for all the responses. Delta looks like it should be a fine airline.

I do have one more question.. do they serve more than peanuts and a drink?

 

[CaliforniaDreaming]

Janet, Boston's Delta 737's are "Delta Express" B737-200's. They are older aircraft, and are opperated under Delta's "no-frill service to Florida". MetroJet by US Airways also opperates the same aircraft, with a "no-frill service to Florida". The 737's actually aren't that bad, but I will only fly the 737-300 and 737-400; though I prefer the 757's. American also has the 737-800's, around the same size as the 737-400's, and those 738's are good planes! I don't care for the MD-80's, the cabins are so narrow, and I find the seats to be narrow as well (atleast when you compare the Delta MD-88 to the B767-200, boy were those MD-88's seats tight when I got on that thing!). The new Airbus aircraft (319,320,321,330) that US Airways just got are great! I love them!

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

I guess if you have a panic disorder then the 737's might be a problem. However, if they were in bad shape they would never leave the ground. They do walk the plane before they take off and if there is anything askew they don't fly. I also have panic disorders about other things, and find that frequently I can work myself into a frenzy over nothing. I have had to learn not to obsess and to not find things to worry about. I would not worry about what appears to be an out of shape aircraft and have faith that they are in perfect running order (at least as far as the human eye and technology can see), anything can happen, but, with most major airlines, they make sure that it is fine before it flys.
BTW, I love MD 88s. They are fun.

 

[Emme]

We flew Delta Express 737 from NJ to Orlando and it was the worst! We actually rented a car and drove back to NJ. I refused to get back on. It was definately an older plane (still had ashtrays) and it just wasn't my cup of tea. My seatbelt actually didn't work. I informed the stewerdess (how the heck do you spell that??) and they took off anyway. I called Delta and they refunded some of our money. But again that is just my personal experience with them. I can definately understand the panic disorder thing, My DH and I were actually praying out loud on that trip!

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Most airplanes still have ashtrays. I have yet to fly on one, even the new airbusses, that don't have them.

 

[ducklite]

Be sure to check to se if it's Delta or Delta Express. If Delta Express there will be no meal, even if you are on a long flight at a meal time. You are welcome to bring along your own food.

Anne

 

[skeezixspud]

... not about Delta, but Continental. If tight spaces bother you, stay away from Continental Express. They use Embraers, and those things are like giant flying ink pens; they have a 1/2 configuration and are so narrow that they only have overheads on one side. I noticed that most of the men on my flight could not stand up without hitting their heads on the cabin ceiling.

 

[cindala]

Forgot to mention that we fly Delta, not Delta Express. Tried Express once, and don't like the 737's, and that is all they use.

Started using Delta, which uses larger planes, and has some sort of food service on board. We like this much better.