Delta says it will cut 100 flights per day as staffing shortages hit summer travel
Delta Air Lines is bracing for a challenging start to the summer travel season.
The airline said this week that it's dealing with a staffing shortage which is affecting its ability to recover from interruptions to regular operations, such as storms and air traffic control-imposed delays. Those shortages are expected to impact the upcoming Memorial Day weekend travel period.
In a memo to staff on Wednesday, shared with TPG by several Delta employees on the condition of anonymity, the airline said it planned to "proactively [thin] the schedule over Memorial Day and through the balance of June."
Additionally, the airline said in a press release on Thursday that it would cut about 100 daily departures from its schedule from July 1 through Aug. 7.
"This will build additional resilience in our system and improve operational reliability for our customers and employees; we'll continue to proactively adjust select flights in the coming weeks," the company said in the release.
The airline also issued a travel waiver in anticipation of thunderstorms forecasted across the Southeast and Northeast over Memorial Day weekend. A representative for Delta said the cuts over the holiday weekend were "tactical" with the expectation of disruptions caused by the storms. Most cancelations should be announced at least 24 hours in advance to give passengers time to make alternative plans, the spokesperson said.
In the memo, which was signed by Allison Ausband, Delta's chief customer experience officer, and John Laughter, Delta's chief operations officer, the airline also said it would cut aircraft operational hours in August, but specified that "no market exits are planned."
"More than any time in our history, however, the various factors currently impacting our operation - from weather and air traffic control, vendor staffing to higher-than-planned unscheduled absences in some work groups (some due to COVID) – are resulting in an operation that isn't consistently up to the standards Delta has set for the industry in recent years," the memo said. "Our recent performance clearly shows these factors go beyond the assumptions of our plan and we will take action to address this imbalance."
"When pilot resources become limited, the impact to the operation is greater," Ausband and Laughter added. "Many pilots are stepping in to fly overtime in an effort to offset these challenges but we need to take additional steps to support you and our customers."
Related: 7 tips to avoid getting stranded by airlines when things go wrong
From May 1 to May 25, Delta canceled 1,358 mainline flights — roughly 2% of its schedule — and delayed 12,143, or 17% of its schedule; the average delay time was 52 minutes, according to data from FlightAware.
The airline's worst day of cancelations this month came on Saturday, May 21, as thunderstorms near its Detroit hub led the airline to cancel 280 flights, or 11%, with 25% delayed. The following Monday, only 2% of flights were canceled but a jarring 37% were delayed.
As a point of comparison, United Airlines has canceled 2% and delayed 22% of flights in the same period, while American Airlines has canceled 1% and delayed 21% of its mainline flights. Southwest Airlines, which, like American, is based in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, has canceled 1% and delayed 25% of its flights.
Passengers whose flights are affected by any cuts will be notified directly as long as contact information was provided when booking.
In the memo, Ausband and Laughter noted a point of perspective.
"We've never rebuilt an airline before, so we'll continue to assess, adjust and improve how we fly and how we support all of you entering this final stage of rebuilding," they said.
If you plan to travel during the busy holiday weekend, regardless of airline, be sure to check your schedule frequently, and be prepared to deal with any disruptions.
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 3X | Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Delta SkyClub access when flying Delta
- Annual companion ticket for travel on Delta (upon renewal)
- Ability to earn MQDs through spending
- Various statement credits for eligible purchases
Cons
- Steep annual fee of $650
- Other Delta cobranded cards offer superior earning categories
- Earn 100,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $6,000 or more in purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership and an additional 25,000 bonus miles after you make an additional $3,000 in purchases on the Card within your first 6 months, starting from the date that your account is opened. Offer Ends 04/01/2026.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members receive 15 Visits per Medallion® Year to the Delta Sky Club® when flying Delta and can unlock an unlimited number of Visits after spending $75,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Plus, you’ll receive four One-Time Guest Passes each Medallion Year so you can share the experience with family and friends when traveling Delta together.
- Enjoy complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. and select international locations (as set forth on the Centurion Lounge Website), Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. (see the Centurion Lounge Website for more information on Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge availability), and Escape Lounges when flying on a Delta flight booked with the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card. § To access Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 90 minutes of their departing flight (including layovers). To access The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 3 hours of their departing flight. Effective July 8, 2026, during a layover, Card Members must arrive within 5 hours of the connecting flight.
- Receive $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars with MQD Headstart each Medallion Qualification Year and earn $1 MQD for each $10 in purchases on your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card with MQD Boost to get closer to Status next Medallion Year.
- Enjoy a Companion Certificate on a Delta First, Delta Comfort, or Delta Main round-trip flight to select destinations each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Certificate requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of between $22 and $250 (for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. Delta Basic experiences are not eligible for this benefit.
- $240 Resy Credit: When you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card for eligible purchases with U.S. Resy restaurants, you can earn up to $20 each month in statement credits. Enrollment required.
- $120 Rideshare Credit: Earn up to $10 back in statement credits each month after you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card to pay for U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers. Enrollment required.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- With your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, receive upgrade priority over others with the same Medallion tier, product and fare experience purchased, and Million Miler milestone when you fly with Delta.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees. Enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad.
- $650 Annual Fee.
- Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees