Opinions on Delta?

[aagee]

Delta is the only airline that offers a non-stop flight in our area. I have only flown Delta 1 or 2 times since they bought Northwest. I loved Northwest, but I've had a few issues since Delta took over. and i've read some things that worry me about using Delta. So, anyone want to give me their opinion? I can't decide if the non-stop flight is worth it. If I do a connecting flight, I would probably use another airline.

thanks!

 

[sam_gordon]

I use Delta and I've had issues on 4/5 of our previous trips.

Most of those involving a "missing" piece of luggage. I think we've had one trip out of the past five where a piece of luggage didn't go missing, either on the way TO vacation or on the way hoome.

Our last trip (a couple weeks ago), our first flight had a mechanical issue which delayed our departure over an hour. That made us miss our connecting flight, but Delta had us booked on the next flight (which I could tell via Delta's mobile ap before the original flight actually left).

All that being said, I like Delta and always try to fly them. Missed luggage & mechanical issues can and will happen on any airline.

My only concern based on what you posted was if your trip is 4+ months away, you can expect flight changes. That COULD (no guarantee) result in you losing the non-stop. At that point, Delta would probably be willing to refund your money, but then you have NO airfare.

 

[DebbieB]

Delta is the only airline that offers a non-stop flight in our area. I have only flown Delta 1 or 2 times since they bought Northwest. I loved Northwest, but I've had a few issues since Delta took over. and i've read some things that worry me about using Delta. So, anyone want to give me their opinion? I can't decide if the non-stop flight is worth it. If I do a connecting flight, I would probably use another airline.

thanks!

I fly Delta frequently. I like their inflight service, you usually get a choice of a snack (peanuts, cookies, pretzels). Some of their planes have in flight TV, if I'm flying to California I look for one of those when I book. They do make frequent changes. I booked a trip to Disneyland (Orange Co) for September back in February, they changed my connection from Atlanta to Minneapolis, which also meant I wasn't getting the plane with TV's. We decided to extend our trip a day so my new flight is through Atlanta and has the TV's.

If you can get a non-stop, it is definitely worth it. Most of the issues I've had with luggage involved connections.

 

[aagee]

that's part of what i'm worried about, them changing the flight. The non-stop is almost $100 more per ticket. the main reason i would like a non-stop is this will be our first flight with a 2 year old, so i'd rather just do one flight.

we aren't going until Nov 29

 

[kathie859]

Delta is the only airline that offers a non-stop flight in our area. I have only flown Delta 1 or 2 times since they bought Northwest. I loved Northwest, but I've had a few issues since Delta took over. and i've read some things that worry me about using Delta. So, anyone want to give me their opinion? I can't decide if the non-stop flight is worth it. If I do a connecting flight, I would probably use another airline.

thanks!

That's so funny--when I had a complaint in March about a Delta rep giving bad information--the local people I spoke to blamed it on the Delta-Northwest merge and the lack of good service by Northwest employees

Anyhow, I just checked my Delta Skymiles account and out of 18 Delta flights so far this year, I missed one connection in Atlanta and this is when I had the issue with the phone rep giving me bad re-booking info but I was taken care of by a CSR in the airport and got home just fine. During a problem with a late flight and a missed connection 2 weeks ago in Salt Lake City, my luggage took a little detour that I didn't but my luggage was delivered the next morning in <12 hours.

I really think Delta is no better or worse than other airlines and, in general, I enjoy flying with them.

 

[vacationclub]

that's part of what i'm worried about, them changing the flight. The non-stop is almost $100 more per ticket. the main reason i would like a non-stop is this will be our first flight with a 2 year old, so i'd rather just do one flight.

we aren't going until Nov 29

Yea, we fell for that trap with Delta too. A few years ago they listed a great non-stop option to MCO so we purchased. Then, after some time passed, they conveniently dropped the non-stop altogether (months before the flight), and forced us to a much less convenient departure time, with a tight layover in Atlanta that we almost missed because of the problem of not having enough ramps available for Delta planes. The last time I did Delta (for business that someone else booked for me) I had the same delay as the plane just sat after it landed waiting for a gate at ATL.

Delta seems to change their flights a bit, so that would be my concern for you. Secondary concern would be if that happens, what do you get as a replacement flight, and how tight is the possible layover.

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

That's so funny--when I had a complaint in March about a Delta rep giving bad information--the local people I spoke to blamed it on the Delta-Northwest merge and the lack of good service by Northwest employees

Anyhow, I just checked my Delta Skymiles account and out of 18 Delta flights so far this year, I missed one connection in Atlanta and this is when I had the issue with the phone rep giving me bad re-booking info but I was taken care of by a CSR in the airport and got home just fine. During a problem with a late flight and a missed connection 2 weeks ago in Salt Lake City, my luggage took a little detour that I didn't but my luggage was delivered the next morning in <12 hours.

I really think Delta is no better or worse than other airlines and, in general, I enjoy flying with them.

I think there are some disgruntled NW employees who can be a PIA. I had one a few weeks ago tell me "you can't do a same day confirmed change" on an award ticker. Rather then fight with her I walked to the kiosk and did it. I then heard her say "well Northwest wouldn't let you do that". I bit my tougne and did not remind her that she had not worked for them in a few years

Delta is honestly no better or worse then 99% of the airlines out there (the exception being Spirit. Delta, and everyone else, exceed Spirit)

 

[buffettgirl]

we've had no problem flying Delta from BOS to MCO non-stop many times.

The only Delta trouble we ever have (well, dh) is when he flies out of Chicago to NY to BOS. They ALWAYS lose his luggage. He would love to just do carry on but normally he has too much stuff. But since it's only work clothing on his return trip it's not a big deal. For some reason his suitcase never ever makes that connecting flight. He's mentioned it every time he takes this flight and they always assure him it won't happen again. And it always does. They've started giving him credits every time it happens, which makes me happy as our flights to MCO this year are nearly free.

 

[Brian Noble]

I fly with Delta and their partners at least once a month. I haven't had a piece of luggage misdirected in several years, though the last time it happened my bag was two days late joining me in Sweden. (And, IIRC, that was KLM's fault.)

If Delta is the only non-stop flight, and you have a two year old, book the nonstop. If for some reason they cancel the nonstop between now and then, you can have them put you on your choice of flights or take a refund and book with someone else. So, worst case, you *might* be on a connecting flight. But, if you don't book with them, you *will* be on a connecting flight *for sure*. Even though it costs a little more, this seems like a no-brainer to me.

 

[bdklein]

If Delta is the only non-stop flight, and you have a two year old, book the nonstop. . Even though it costs a little more, this seems like a no-brainer to me.

Ditto. No decision to make.

 

[sue_gowin]

We fly Delta for 99% of our flights mainly because of the price and non-stop flights. I have never ever had a problem with them in the years I've used them. I might just be lucky, but I do like their service. Everything has always been smooth sailing with them!

 

[Tara]

Mostly I think the flight changes thing is way overblown on these boards. Yes, schedules change, but usually only by very small amounts. I would book the nonstop on Delta and not worry about it.

(I like Delta just fine...they're like any other big company...some things are great, some are not so great. One nice thing from my perspective is that they have wifi on a lot of their flights. United, which I also fly a lot, doesn't.)

 

[buffettgirl]

Mostly I think the flight changes thing is way overblown on these boards. Yes, schedules change, but usually only by very small amounts. I would book the nonstop on Delta and not worry about it.

(I like Delta just fine...they're like any other big company...some things are great, some are not so great. One nice thing from my perspective is that they have wifi on a lot of their flights. United, which I also fly a lot, doesn't.)

Well, yes and no. I have two different Delta trips coming up and both trips had minor schedule changes. One trip had a connecting flight time change by 3 minutes and the 2nd trip had a return flight time change by 30 minutes (later).

So both did have changes and that's 2 more times than I've ever had in the past, but neither change effects me at all.

 

[aagee]

thanks for the help!