Breaking: Delta Air Lines confirms no furloughs for flight attendants
This post contains references to products from one or more of our advertisers. We may receive compensation when you click on links to those products. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. For an explanation of our Advertising Policy, visit this page.
Some rare good news from the airline industry came late Friday: Delta Air Lines says that thanks to voluntary leave and early retirements, it will not have to furlough any additional flight attendants this year, reports View from the Wing.
Sign up for the free daily TPG newsletter for more airline news!
“With the overwhelming response of flight attendants choosing to participate in our creative staffing options — and based on our current network schedule — we are positioned well to be able to successfully manage through our flight attendant overstaffing situation,” Delta spokesperson Amanda Eatman told TPG. “We’re grateful for the continued rallying spirit of Delta people during the pandemic.”
17,000 Delta Air Lines employees took early retirement or buyouts.
Back in July, Delta CEO Ed Bastian said the airline was doing everything it could to avoid layoffs. And that effort appears to have been successful so far — at least when it comes to flight attendants. In August, Delta said it would have to furlough as many as 2,500 pilots and would downgrade three flight attendant bases as part of a downsizing.
Related: Delta sending Airbus A350s to Los Angeles, will close Cincinnati pilot base
The news on flight attendants is a better sign.
Delta flight attendants have taken to social media to express their appreciation. One employee tweeted, “Thank you Delta for doing everything to avoid furloughs for flight attendants like me.”
TPG’s Ned Russell reports Delta is only planning on flying half its 2019 schedule by the end of 2020.
Related: Delta operates final MD-88, MD-90 flights amid tough times for airlines
Both American Airlines and United Airlines have announced they would layoff tens of thousands of employees ahead of the expiration of the CARES Act. That’s the bailout Congress passed to help airlines survive during the severe downturn due to coronavirus. Funding to continue paying salaries expires on September 30. Industry lobbyists and unions are pushing Congress to extend the payroll protection program through March 31, 2021.
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has warned the industry won’t fully recover until 2024.
Related: Delta Air Lines will shrink its European footprint after coronavirus
Additional reporting by Ned Russell.
Featured image by Clint Henderson/The Points Guy.
Sign-up Successful!
Welcome to The Points Guy!
WELCOME OFFER: 80,000 Points
TPG'S BONUS VALUATION*: $1,600
CARD HIGHLIGHTS: 2X points on all travel and dining, points transferrable to over a dozen travel partners
*Bonus value is an estimated value calculated by TPG and not the card issuer. View our latest valuations here.
- Earn 80,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $1,000 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.
- 2X points on travel and dining at restaurants worldwide, eligible delivery services, takeout and dining out & 1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases.
- Get 25% more value when you redeem for airfare, hotels, car rentals and cruises through Chase Ultimate Rewards. For example, 80,000 points are worth $1,000 toward travel.
- Get unlimited deliveries with a $0 delivery fee and reduced service fees on orders over $12 for a minimum of one year on qualifying food purchases with DashPass, DoorDash's subscription service. Activate by 12/31/21.
- Earn 5X points on Lyft rides through March 2022. That’s 3X points in addition to the 2X points you already earn on travel.
Editorial Disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airlines or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.
Disclaimer: The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser. Responses have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by the bank advertiser. It is not the bank advertiser’s responsibility to ensure all posts and/or questions are answered.