Et tu Delta?

[R&RsMom]

We‘ve been changed twice by Delta for October trip. First change was to our benefit: nonstop arriving MCO 11:35 p.m. changed to one arriving 8:15 p.m. Second change, last weekend, changed us back to the 11:35 p.m. arrival, but also changed our 8:15 a.m. return flight to 6:00 a.m. We were able up change that to a 2:45 p.m. return. Worst part is that our 7 seats were all pretty close together; best we could do was to get 3 together and then 4 together.

 

[davper]

Sure sounds like us. We had flights down from MHT on SW but they cancelled the n/s flight so we changed to Delta out of BOS. Today I was notified that the n/s was cancelled and we were put on a flight with a layover too. I was able to get onto an earlier n/s. They also changed our return to an hour later and changed the seats. We have 2 carseats and they took away a window seat. There was a 2 hour phone wait to change it too since they wouldn´t let me do it online.

I wish planning wasn´t so stressful, this is supposed to be a vacation.

Ugh! Flying mid-sept from MHT to MCO on n/s southwest flight. Other than my return flight, last april, being pushed back 2 hours, never had any issue with SW. Keeping my fingers crossed.

 

[hedberg1661]

This happened to me as well. Southwest changed my flight to something with a stop from a non-stop when there was a non-stop option that more closely matched what I had in the first place. I was able to switch but man it's a real pain to have to keep going back in to alter these plans.

I pretty much only fly Delta and Southwest. Delta has changed flights on me as well however, nothing nearly this drastic. Unfortunately for me, Delta doesn't have a non-stop to MCO out of Pittsburgh so I tend to go with SW just for the non-stop.

Side note: on my most recent trip a few weeks ago I booked Delta First Class down and Southwest back. Wow was that a difference in product.

 

[Gatrcruzer]

You have my sympathies. We recently flew Delta on a few flights and the changes were continuous over the course of 3 months - it was frustrating because in some cases we had paid extra to get a flight during a particular timeframe and wound up needing to fly at a cheaper timeframe. There does seem to be an increase in this occurring during covid times. That said, I will always choose Delta over other US airlines based on personal experience. Traveling right now is definitely more interesting than it used to be.

 

[Sakiki]

An airframe is the mechanical structure of a plane, so poster maybe referring to issues of putting aircraft back in service after sitting idle or increased demands on maintenance without adequate staff.

Exactly that. An airframe is designed to handle very specific stresses when in flight and on the ground, and the plan is that more of the stress will be experienced while in the air (the aircraft only earns while it’s airborne). Some of these airframes have been sitting at storage airfields for a good many months, possibly well over a year, and they have to be coaxed back into life. They’re not designed to sit with no fluid systems running; seals and gaskets can potentially dry out/shrink, for example. The maintenance regime for putting a semi-mothballed airframe back into service is very strict - and rightfully so. It’s not as simple as putting your car up on blocks for a year and then putting it back on the road…

 

[StageTek]

Fingers crossed that my Delta red-eye from LAX to MCO won't change - again. Since I booked they moved it 90 minutes back - from 9:55PM to 11:30PM - which isn't an issue. But last year they dropped the red-eye completely which destroys my plan to get a full day in the parks on arrival day.

 

[keishashadow]

I think there's a lot going into it...
* Lack of employees
* More people travelling than what the airlines expected after last year
* Possible issues with airframes

I don't think airlines change flight times/cancel simply to annoy passengers. They've been doing that for YEARS. It's just the amount of changes (seems to) have drastically increased recently.

I had my last Saturday flight cancelled at 11pm on Thursday. Ugh. Wound up driving 11hrs to MYR after shuffling dates around

spirit changed my fall trip 3 times (each way so 6 changes total, one over 8 hours. Every excuse but the dog ate the plane. Ridiculous

allegiant who cancelled flights for this trip we’re at least very transparent when I asked why. In all likelihood said either an issue of not having enough staff or theprice of fuel for the specific flights wasn’t profitable based on sales

at least they refunded, handed out vouchers & a TBD extra offer is supposed to be issued soon on their behalf

 

[AJA55]

So far for my October trip:

Going Alaska: Changed twice for my friend coming early that morning. Now she has no way to meet up with me on that day. So, she is flying in the day before.

Coming back on American: Changed us five hours later. Friend would not make it to her connecting flight to get home. So they changed her back to a morning, wanted me to pay 200 extra and didn't change me to fly back with her.

sigh..........I'm sure they are not done yet.