DELTA AIR LINES, INC. Delta's operation stabilized over the past week, with significantly fewer disruptions to our flight schedule, most of which were attributed to winter weather.
As impacts from the omicron variant lessen, less than 1% of our scheduled flights were canceled Wednesday across Delta's mainline and Delta Connection operations. As of noon Thursday, just three mainline and no Delta Connection cancellations were processed for the day's schedule.
Over the past week, about 60% of all cancellations systemwide were due to weather. One-third were attributed mainly to the effects of omicron. Over that same period, our mainline completion rate has been 99%, and 94% for Delta Connection. We are once again leading our competitors in completion reliability for the month of January.
"The stabilization that we're seeing right now is really a testament to the resilience of the Delta people," said E.V.P. and Chief Customer Experience Officer Allison Ausband. "At a time when we were anticipating the highest levels of demand that we've seen in two years, we were also challenged by omicron and the complexity of winter weather systems in many areas of the country. But our people persevered, backed up their colleagues as they focused on their health and getting well, and stayed focused on taking care of all of our customers to get them to their destination safely and comfortably."
Even as omicron effects on our Delta family begin to slowly subside, another winter weather system is expected to cause disruptions through the MLK holiday weekend, potentially impacting our Atlanta (ATL), Minneapolis-St. Paul (MSP) and northeast hubs with ice and snow.
We continue to provide transparent customer updates, including a message from Ausband, and the announcement of extended e-credit availability.
As always, Delta people are working on the front lines of our operation at airports, onboard and behind the scenes at the airline's Operations and Customer Center to help our customers get where they need to be as safely and quickly as possible, no matter the circumstances. We are already working around the clock to position equipment, adjust scheduling and take other proactive measures to ensure our customers get where they need to go.
Delta will also issue weather waivers if necessary, allowing customers to easily move their travel to before or after a weather event.
When challenges to flight operations do present themselves and cancellations become necessary - a last resort when all options for a safe and reliable flight have been exhausted - Delta maintains a philosophy of making changes that will impact the fewest customers with the shortest delays.
Whenever possible, Delta teams strive to cancel flights far enough in advance to notify customers before arriving at the airport. We automatically rebook customers with canceled flights on the next best available itinerary to their final destination.
Customers are strongly encouraged to download and use the Fly Delta app or visit delta.com to check their flight status and manage their rebooking for convenient self-service options. Delta will also send updates on itinerary changes directly to a mobile device or by email if contact information is provided during booking or added later via My Trips online. Be sure to check security wait times before arriving at the airport and allow extra time if you plan to check a bag.
UPDATE: Jan. 6, 2022, 2:45 p.m. ESTAs severe winter weather continues to hamper U.S. flight operations, including at a number of Delta's largest hubs, a new weather waiver is now in effect for the Northeastern U.S.
The waiver impacts three Delta hubs in Boston (BOS) and New York City (JFK, LGA) and 12 Delta-served markets, including the three Washington-area airports (BWI, DCA and IAD).
The challenges this winter weather will bring to these major markets, plus the continued impact from the omicron variant, are expected to drive approximately 200 daily cancellations Thursday and Friday between Delta and Delta Connection out of more than 4,000 daily departures across our system.
We apologize to customers for the disruption to their travel plans. As always, Delta people are working on the front lines of our operation at airports, on board and behind the scenes at the airline's Operations and Customer Center to help our customers get where they need to be as safely and quickly as possible, no matter the circumstances. When challenges to flight operations do present themselves and cancellations - a last resort when all options for a safe and reliable flight have been exhausted - become necessary, Delta maintains a philosophy of making changes that will impact the fewest customers with the shortest delays.
Whenever possible, Delta teams strive to cancel flights far enough in advance so customers are notified whenever possible before arriving at the airport. We automatically rebook customers with canceled flights on the next best available itinerary to their final destination.
For convenient self-service options, customers are strongly encouraged to download and use the Fly Delta app or visit delta.com to check their flight status and manage their rebooking. Updates can also be sent directly to a mobile device or by email if this option is selected during booking or added later via My Trips online. Be sure to check security wait times before arriving at the airport, and allow extra time if you plan to check a bag.
UPDATE: Jan. 3, 2022, 2:15 p.m. ESTThe impact of winter weather, affecting a significant portion of the country and including two major Delta hubs, and the omicron variant continued to hamper Delta's operation on Monday, with the airline expecting to cancel roughly 500 flights for the day. About 200 cancellations per day are expected into Tuesday and Wednesday.
These numbers reflect the total between both Delta mainline and Delta Connection operated flights out of more than 4,000 daily departures across our system.
Whenever possible, Delta teams strive to cancel flights far enough in advance so customers are notified whenever possible before arriving at the airport. We automatically rebook customers with canceled flights on the next best available itinerary to their final destination.
For convenient self-service options, customers are strongly encouraged to download and use the Fly Delta app or visit delta.com to check their flight status and manage their rebooking. Updates can also be sent directly to a mobile device or by email if this option is selected during booking or added later via My Trips online. Be sure to check security wait times before arriving at the airport, and allow extra time if you plan to check a bag.
With weather waivers in play for Seattle, Minneapolis-St. Paul and the Mid-Atlantic region, we also recommend customers whose travel includes these cities consider moving their travel to before or after the winter weather event, which can also help avoid unnecessary waiting at airports. These changes can be made via delta.com or the Fly Delta app.To avoid phone wait times with Delta Reservations, all customers should either manage their trip via online platforms or call back when their flight is within 72 hours of scheduled departure.
We apologize to customers for the impact all of this is having on their travel plans. Delta people are continuing to work together around the clock to reroute and substitute aircraft and crews to get customers where they need to be as quickly and safely as possible. When that's not possible, Delta Reservations specialists are coordinating with our Operations and Customer Care Center to get those impacted on the next available flight.
UPDATE: Dec. 30, 2021, noon ESTFor Dec. 30, Delta expects to cancel approximately 250 of 4,179 scheduled mainline and Delta Connection flights.
For the upcoming weekend, Delta projects daily cancels between 200-300 (including both Delta mainline and Delta Connection operated flights) out of more than 4,000 total daily departures as teams across our system continue to do all possible to mitigate constraints from increasing winter weather and the omicron variant.
Delta teams are working to enact cancels far enough in advance so customers are notified whenever possible before arriving at the airport. We automatically rebook customers with canceled flights on the next best available itinerary to their final destination.
Customers are strongly encouraged to download and use the Fly Delta app or visit delta.com to check their flight status and manage their rebooking. Updates can also be sent directly to a mobile device or by email if this option is selected during booking or added later via My Trips online.
With weather waivers in play for Chicago, Detroit, Salt Lake City, Seattle and the Central & Southern Rocky Mountain region, we also recommend customers whose travel includes these cities consider moving their travel to before or after the winter weather event, which can also help avoid unnecessary waiting at airports. These changes can be made via delta.com or the Fly Delta app.
To avoid phone wait times with Delta Reservations, all customers should either manage their trip via online platforms or call back when their flight is within 72 hours of scheduled departure.
We apologize to customers for the impact all of this is having on their travel plans. Delta people are continuing to work together around the clock to reroute and substitute aircraft and crews to get customers where they need to be as quickly and safely as possible. When that's not possible, Delta Reservations specialists are coordinating with our Operations and Customer Care Center to get those impacted on the next available flight.
UPDATE: Dec. 29, 2021, 12:45 p.m. ESTWinter weather and the omicron variant are continuing to hamper operations, with Delta expecting to cancel approximately 250 of 4,158 scheduled mainline and Delta Connection flights on Wednesday.
Today, Delta also issued waivers ahead of expected winter weather impact at our Salt Lake City, Detroit and Seattle hubs in the coming days.
We apologize to customers for the delay in their travel plans. Delta people are continuing to work together around the clock to reroute and substitute aircraft and crews to get customers where they need to be as quickly and safely as possible. When that's not possible, Delta Reservations specialists are coordinating with our Operations and Customer Care Center to get those impacted on the next available flight.
Customers are encouraged to check their flight status and manage their rebooking on Delta.com or the Fly Delta app. Updates can also be sent directly to a mobile device or by email.
UPDATE: Dec. 28, 2021, 3 p.m. ESTWinter weather and conditions in the Pacific Northwest, Midwest and the omicron variant are continuing to hamper operations, with Delta expecting to cancel upwards of 250 of 4,133 scheduled mainline and Delta Connection flights on Tuesday.
We apologize to customers for the delay in their travel plans. Delta people are continuing to work together around the clock to reroute and substitute aircraft and crews to get customers where they need to be as quickly and safely as possible. When that's not possible, Delta Reservations specialists are coordinating with our Operations and Customer Care Center to get those impacted on the next available flight.
Customers are encouraged to check their flight status and manage their rebooking on Delta.com or the Fly Delta app. Updates can also be sent directly to a mobile device or by email.
UPDATE: Dec. 27, 2021, 12:30 p.m. ESTWinter weather, particularly at Delta's hubs in Minneapolis-St. Paul (MSP), Seattle (SEA), Salt Lake City (SLC), other areas of the U.S. as well as the omicron variant continue to hamper Delta's operation Monday. Delta expects that upwards of 200 of 4,166 scheduled mainline and Delta Connection flights will cancel today.
Delta canceled 374 of 4,155 scheduled mainline and connection flights Sunday, due to the same factors.
We apologize to customers for the delay in their travel plans. Delta people are continuing to work together around the clock to reroute and substitute aircraft and crews to get customers where they need to be as quickly and safely as possible. When that's not possible, Delta Reservations specialists are coordinating with our Operations and Customer Care Center to get those impacted on the next available flight.
"Canceling a flight is always Delta's last resort. The result is not only difficult for customers, but for our people who want nothing more than to take care of them - especially over the holidays. We sincerely apologize to everyone impacted," said E.V.P. and Chief of Operations John Laughter. "From teams in our Operations and Customer Center reworking our schedule to our front-line team members engaging with customers on the ground, in the air and over the phone, I'm proud of Delta people working around the clock to save as many flights as possible while proactively rebooking impacted customers - all due to a perfect storm that includes relentless weather systems coupled with the omicron variant surge."
Customers are encouraged to check their flight status and manage their rebooking on Delta.com or the Fly Delta app. Updates can also be sent directly to a mobile device or by email.
UPDATE: Dec. 26, 2021, 1 p.m. ESTWinter weather in portions of the U.S. and the omicron variant continued to impact Delta's holiday weekend flight schedule. Of the 4,155 total mainline and connection flights scheduled Sunday, the airline had canceled 161, with around 40 more cancellations forecasted for the day, fewer cancelations than predicted less than a day ago.
Delta expects that around 40 flights may be canceled Monday.
We apologize to customers for the delay in their holiday travel plans. Delta people are continuing to work together around the clock to reroute and substitute aircraft and crews to get customers where they need to be as quickly and safely as possible. When that's not possible, Delta Reservations specialists are coordinating with our Operations and Customer Care Center to get those impacted on the next available flight.
The circumstances of weather and the omicron variant forced Delta to cancel a total of 375 mainline and connection flights Saturday, Christmas Day. The airline canceled 212 total flights on Friday, Christmas Eve.
Customers are encouraged to check their flight status and manage their rebooking on Delta.com or the Fly Delta app. Updates can also be sent directly to a mobile device or by email.
Dec. 25, 2021, 4 p.m. ESTWinter weather in portions of the U.S. and the omicron variant continued to impact Delta's holiday weekend flight schedule Saturday, Christmas Day. The airline canceled 368 mainline and connection flights of the day's schedule that included approximately 3,000 scheduled flights after exhausting all options and resources to prevent those cancelations.
We apologize to customers for the delay in their holiday travel plans. Delta people are working together around the clock to reroute and substitute aircraft and crews to get customers where they need to be as quickly and safely as possible. When that's not possible, Delta Reservations specialists coordinated with our Operations and Customer Care Center to get those impacted on the next available flight.
Delta expects more than 300 of its flights will be canceled on Sunday, Dec. 26.
Customers are encouraged to check their flight status and manage their rebooking on Delta.com or the Fly Delta app. Updates can also be sent directly to a mobile device or by email.
Editor's note: This update, originally published at 3 p.m. EST, was updated at 4 p.m. to reflect revised information regarding the number of cancelations.
Dec. 24, 2021, 11 a.m. ESTAs winter weather impacts the northwest and northeast U.S. the omicron variant continues to surge, Delta teams exhausted all options and resources before canceling around 158 flights in Friday's nearly 3,100-flight schedule.
We apologize to our customers for the delay in their holiday travel plans. Delta people are working together around the clock to reroute and substitute aircraft and crews to get customers where they need to be as quickly and as safely as possible. When that's not possible, Delta Reservations specialists coordinate with our Operations and Customer Center to get those impacted on the next available flight.
A combination of issues, including but not limited to inclement weather in some areas of the country and the impact of the omicron variant, are driving cancellations and potential delays. Upwards of 150 cancels per day are expected both Saturday and Sunday.
Customers are encouraged to check their flight status and manage their rebooking via Delta.com or the Fly Delta mobile app. Updates can also be sent directly to a mobile device or by email.
- Weather
- Winter Weather
- flight cancellations
- COVID-19
- COVID-19 Omicron Variant
Attachments
- Original Link
- Original Document
- Permalink
Disclaimer
Delta Air Lines Inc. published this content on 13 January 2022 and is solely responsible for the information contained therein. Distributed by Public, unedited and unaltered, on 13 January 2022 21:40:05 UTC.
