Delta will test all of its staff for coronavirus in effort to improve safety
Delta Air Lines will begin rolling out COVID-19 tests for all of its staff in the coming weeks as it looks further raise confidence in travel among flyers.
In the latest of what the Atlanta-based carrier calls "layers of protection" from the coronavirus, CEO Ed Bastian told staff in a memo on Thursday that companywide testing will begin during the week of June 15. Tests will initially be available at Delta's Minneapolis/St. Paul (MSP) hub before expanding to its hubs in Atlanta (ATL), Detroit (DTW) and the New York area.
"As the economy begins to recover and travel demand rises, we know that ongoing COVID testing is going to be another critical component in your safety," he said. "A full testing protocol... will be essential as we protect your health and begin the return to normal operations."
Sign up for the free daily TPG newsletter for more airline news!
The COVID-19 testing for staff comes on top of the added cleaning and other procedures already in place at Delta. The airline disinfects its aircraft before every flight, staff and travelers are required to wear masks onboard. Delta also is capping the number of people that can sit in first class cabins at 50% and economy cabins at 60% through the end of September.
Delta counted nearly 90,000 employees around the world prior at the time the coronavirus pandemic began to spread to the U.S.
News of the employee coronavirus testing comes a day after Delta unveiled plans to create a new global cleanliness division. The department is charged with developing and executing everything related to keeping planes and facilities clean and safe.
"Nothing is more important than the health and safety of our colleagues and our customers," Mike Medeiros, Delta's new head of global cleanliness, said in a statement.
Related: Which US airlines are blocking middle seats, requiring masks?
The latest coronavirus safety initiatives come as Delta and other airlines see an uptick in travel. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) screened a new post-COVID peak of 441,255 people on Sunday, June 7. However, the number remains just around 17% of those screened on the same day a year ago.
Concerns around exposure to COVID-19 remain even as travelers trickle back onto planes. While every airline has doubled down on aircraft cleanliness, some like Alaska Airlines and United Airlines are rolling out health questionnaires for each passenger before they fly. Travelers may have to postpone their trips if their answers suggest possible infection.
However, most in the airline industry doubt that travel will return to "normal" -- or what it was like prior to the pandemic -- until there is a vaccine, or at least an effective treatment for the virus.
Related: Delta CEO raises prospect of 'immunity passports' for air travel
For now, Delta has already adding back some of the flights it cut this summer. While schedules are only relatively final through July, the airline will fly about 23% of what it flew in the U.S. domestic market a year ago in June and nearly 40% in July, according to Cirium schedule data.
The carrier has already returned around 46 jets to service and plans to bring another 74 out of storage next month to support its expanded schedule.
Despite this increase in demand, Bastian told the Business Travel Network earlier in June that Delta will keep its artificial seating caps in place until it sees greater "consumer confidence" in flying.
Related: American and Delta reactivate 300 planes as summer travel plans get a boost
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 5X | New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Valuable dining and food-related credits
- Flexible rewards with airline and hotel transfer partners
- Multiple travel and purchase protections
- No foreign transaction fees
- Access to Amex Offers for additional savings (enrollment required)
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- Pay It® lets you tap in the American Express® App to quickly pay for small purchase amounts throughout the month and still earn rewards the way you usually do. Plan It® gives you the option to split up big purchases into equal monthly payments with a fixed fee. You’ll know upfront exactly how much you’ll pay.
- Updated! $120 Dining Credit: Earn up to a total of $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the Gold Card at Grubhub (including Seamless), Buffalo Wild Wings, Five Guys, The Cheesecake Factory, and Wonder. This can be an annual savings of up to $120. Enrollment required.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants after you pay for eligible purchases with the American Express® Gold Card. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: Earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin’ locations. Enrollment required.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Enjoy up to $120 in Uber Cash annually with your Gold Card. Just add your Card to your Uber account and you'll get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
- New! As an American Express® Gold Card Member, you can enjoy complimentary Hertz Five Star® Status. Enjoy benefits like skipping the counter at select locations, adding an additional driver at no additional cost*, and vehicle upgrades**. Benefit enrollment and Hertz Gold+ registration are required. *Additional drivers must meet standard rental qualifications and must be a spouse or domestic partner to qualify as complimentary. Other additional drivers subject to fees. **Benefits are subject to availability and vary by location. Additional Hertz program Terms and Conditions including age restrictions apply.
- Take advantage of a $100 credit towards eligible charges* at over 1,300 upscale hotels worldwide when you book The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App **. *Eligible charges vary by property. **The Hotel Collection requires a two-night minimum stay.
- Book your travel through the Amex Travel App with added peace of mind – backed by American Express® service and support. Only for American Express® Card Members.
- Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.