What has your experience with Delta been?

[disneygrandma]

The past few trips we've used SW and have not had any problems. However, on our Oct trip, the flight times aren't really what we're looking for. Delta has some that would work better, and I like the idea of assigned seats. Our kids and grandkids, 9 in total, will be flying while my husband and I will be driving.

Then we started hearing from some people that said that they've had lots of delays with Delta due to mechanical issues. Some people were saying that Delta is trying to complete cost wise with lower priced carriers, and because of this has let some of their maintenance slip. That would not be good!

So I was wondering what other people's experiences have been? Are delays common with Delta? Have you had issues with Delta? Or has your experience been good?

Please let me know. I really need to decide on an airline. The prices are going up skyhigh!

Thanks!

 

[Day-Day]

I've had very good experiences with Delta. Flown several times in the past year with no issues.

 

[JustCallMeMommy]

I fly with Delta most of the time. I haven't had any major delays (knock on wood). We almost always go through Atlanta.

 

[disneygrandma]

When I look on the Delta website, I'm offered "Main Cabin", Comfort" and "First Class" to choose from, however when I look at the seats, there is a "Preferred" section. My guess is that this is an "add on" to the Main cabin prices. Is there a way to see how much they will charge for those seats to help me decide between Main Cabin and Comfort? Is there a noticeable difference between the Main cabin seats and the Comfort seats? Please help me decide what to do! Whatever info I can get will greatly help. Thanks!

The news had something about charges being added to Economy prices, but Economy isn't an option on the flights I'm looking at.

 

[schoen]

You need status with the airline if you want the preferred seats. Main is just regular coach, but you can change your ticket (for a hefty fee) and choose your seat (free). Comfort just gives you more legroom and free alcohol.

 

[OKW Lover]

I fly Delta regularly. Like all airlines, there can be good days and bad days. Overall though I'm happy with my choice.

 

[maxiesmom]

The comfort seats have a little more leg room. I fly Delta fairly often, and have no problem with them. Sometimes they have good deals on First Class seats, so keep your eyes open for them.

 

[Yellowjj]

Best US airline hands down IMHO.

 

[disneygrandma]

Thanks so much for all the feed back. Yes, I did see some 1st class seats that were priced well, except the flights left too early in the morning, or got home too late at night for our group. Now if it was just me, I think I might try and make it work!

I'm just still unclear on the whole seat issue. So I pay for 9 seats in the main cabin. Then am I immediately allowed to go in and select the seats? Or do I have to wait? Will I be charged more for certain seats that I select?

 

[schoen]

You will be able to select them immediately. You will only have to pay more if you upgrade. You can only upgrade to Delta Comfort or First class though. The preferred seats will not be availible for you to select. As long as you purchase main cabin (NOT economy) you will be able to select any availible seat. Typically there are seats from the middle of the plane to the back availible. They reserve the front for fliers with status, and Delta Comfort.

 

[scdak]

Been flying Delta for years at least 10 times a year, I have never had bad customer service, I have had to stay overnight ONE time in Detroit in all those years and that was because the crew timed out and couldn't fly more hours that night, we were actually onboard and had to get back off - and even that experience was awesome - walked off the plane, went to the special service gate as directed/handed a voucher for a free hotel room for the night/new boarding pass for the flight the next day and at the hotel we were just handed the key to our rooms - we had to do NOTHING but get off and on the shuttle bus. Have I been delayed - sure a number of times (low % considering how often I fly) and its only truly been Delta's fault a few times, the rest of the time has been the respective airport due to sheer volume of delayed flights from other areas due to weather mainly. I can't say enough about Delta, I am limited in my choice of airlines that fly to the small airport where I travel every month but even with my choices, I only pick Delta!

 

[disneygrandma]

Thanks so much for clearing up the seat questions I had, and all the feedback concerning everyone's experience flying with Delta. I think we'll go ahead and give them a try, at least on one way of our trip. Just wish the prices would be better!

Thanks again!

 

[karly05]

This is only my one single experience and could have been just dumb luck, but...

Last week, I flew Delta for the first time. I flew to/from MCO, connecting in ATL, and everything was great. Planes all on time, people nice. No equipment changes, no seat changes. One leg of my flight (ATL to home) had a time change after I booked it but still well before my trip, but it didn't mess up my connection.

I know there's no guarantee to be problem/delay free, but I would definitely fly them again.

 

[Jestocost]

Better than United. Worse than a day at the beach.

 

[DebbieB]

Thanks so much for all the feed back. Yes, I did see some 1st class seats that were priced well, except the flights left too early in the morning, or got home too late at night for our group. Now if it was just me, I think I might try and make it work!

I'm just still unclear on the whole seat issue. So I pay for 9 seats in the main cabin. Then am I immediately allowed to go in and select the seats? Or do I have to wait? Will I be charged more for certain seats that I select?

You can view the seat map before you buy. Check to be sure there are 9 empty seats available on the map.

I flew Delta a lot back when I was traveling for work. I liked them more than USAirways (now American).

 

[Kiren]

I'm happy I popped into this thread. DH and I are flying Delta in May for our Disneymoon only because they were cheaper with better flight times than West Jet. Hopefully they become my favorite US airline!

 

[loves to dive]

Since we fly out of Atlanta, which should be named Atlanta/Delta instead of whatever they've changed it to recently, we almost always fly Delta. If you use any other airline, you are in the furthest away terminal they have. When we fly international, 80% of the time it's Delta since they tend to have more direct flights, the other 20% of the it's American, which we aren't crazy about.

 

[dreiwhit]

I've never had a problem with Delta. They also seem to have more legroom than American (the other carrier I fly.)

One time my flight departure was delayed due to crew rest requirements. This was back in 2009, when a lot of flooding was occurring, so it messed up many crew schedules. Anyway, this delay caused me to miss my connecting flight.

After I got to Atlanta, I went to the Delta customer service phone bank to call them, and they had already booked me on another flight. I think they created a special flight for us, since the MD-80 only had about a dozen people on it. Good job Delta.

 

[ashnicole]

I'm happy to read the good reviews of Delta. I'm flying with them soon and have never flown with them.
Another poster said something about being able to pick seats immediately. I have a question about that. I was able to choose one flight's seats immediately but it says I have to wait for check in to select the seats on my return flight. I would usually be fine with this, but since disney handles check in for us, I'm getting a little nervous.

 

[JBeaty0507]

We fly with Delta quite a bit since our regional airport flies almost exclusively through Atlanta. We've never had a major issue. Our flights for May through them have changed times a bit, but we had the option to change our flights if the new times didn't work out for us. In Main Cabin you should be able to choose normal coach seats, no problem. They've added a Basic Economy option where they just assign you seats, but we always like to choose our seats. Hope y'all have a great flight!