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.
| 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.