Pack Your Own Pretzels: Delta Cutting Service On Hundreds Of Short-Haul Flights

If you have a quick hop planned on a Delta flight later this month, you might want to grab a snack at the terminal before you board. Delta Air Lines has announced a major shift in its onboard service policy, eliminating complimentary food and beverage service on roughly 450 daily short-haul flights.

Starting May 19, 2026, the "Biscoff and coffee" ritual is disappearing for passengers on routes under 350 miles. Here is everything you need to know about the change and how it affects your next trip.

1. The New Distance Rule

Delta is moving away from its previous tiered "Express Service" model in favor of a strictly distance-based cutoff.

Flights 0–349 Miles: No beverage or snack service will be offered in the Main Cabin or Delta Comfort+.

Flights 350 Miles and Above: Passengers will receive full beverage and snack service (an upgrade for some routes that previously only had limited "Express" options).

The Exception: Delta First Class passengers are unaffected and will continue to receive full service on all routes, regardless of distance.

Note: Water is still available upon request for all passengers, even on the shortest flights, though it will not be proactively served via the cart.

2. Why the Change?

According to official statements from Delta, the move is designed to prioritize consistency and safety.

Operational Consistency: Previously, flights between 251 and 350 miles used an "Express Service" that often confused passengers and was difficult for flight attendants to execute uniformly.

Safety & Turbulence: On very short routes, the window for service is incredibly tight. By removing the carts, Delta minimizes the time flight attendants spend in the aisles, reducing the risk of injury during unexpected turbulence.

Rising Costs: Industry analysts also point to record-high fuel prices in 2026 as a primary driver for cost-cutting measures across the U.S. airline industry.

3. Major Affected Routes

Many of Delta's busiest "shuttle" and hub-connector routes fall under the new 350-mile threshold. If you are flying these city pairs after May 19, expect a quiet cabin:

New York (JFK/LGA) to Boston (BOS)

Atlanta (ATL) to Charlotte (CLT)

Los Angeles (LAX) to San Francisco (SFO)

Chicago (ORD) to Detroit (DTW)

Minneapolis (MSP) to Milwaukee (MKE)

4. How to Prepare

While the loss of a free soda might seem minor, it’s a significant shift for a carrier that has long marketed itself as a "premium" domestic airline.

Check the Delta App: You can search for your specific flight menu via the Delta website or app to see exactly what will be served.

Visit the Sky Club: If you have access, fill up on snacks and drinks before boarding.

Pre-order Options: On some mid-range flights, Delta is encouraging passengers to use the app to pre-order snack boxes at discounted rates ($5–$12).

This change brings Delta closer to the service models of competitors like United, which has a similar 300-mile service minimum. As the "frills" continue to shrink in economy, the value of that First Class upgrade just got a little bit higher.

Delta Launches 13 New International Nonstop Routes: See All Flights Now

Airlines are actively seeking out warmer weather escapes during the cold, miserable winter. Delta Air Lines particularly stands out, as it has just started 13 new and returning routes to the Caribbean, Central America, and Mexico. All began in time for Christmas getaways.

For obvious reasons, most airlines reduce flights on Christmas Day. Delta is no exception. However, these additional routes play an important role in its international flights increasing week-over-week. OAG data shows it has 14% more international flights on Christmas Day than on the previous Thursday, rising to 26% for short-haul non-US services.

Delta Has Just Started These 13 Routes

The SkyTeam carrier's international network has been examined using OAG data. This involved comparing all its routes available between January 1, 2024, to December 18, 2025, with what is on offer from December 19 to 28, 2025. This analysis identified the following 13 additions, all of which started on the same day. They include two destinations in US territories.

As usual with such things, most of the routes—nine of the 13—have seen Delta's frames before. With some exceptions, most ended in 2020 due to the myriad consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic, including border closures.

The four routes that are brand-new to Delta's map are thus arguably more interesting. Of these, one—Atlanta to St. Vincent—has never had any scheduled flights by any airline, which isn't surprising. Moreover, Detroit to Liberia was last served by Northwest in 2002. Delta faces other carriers on the remaining two new airport pairs.

Start Date Route Delta's Operations (December 25-31*) Served By Delta Before?**

December 20 Atlanta-Grenada Daily 737-800 Yes: until 2020

December 20 Atlanta-St. Vincent Daily 737-800 No

December 20 Austin-Cancun Daily A320 Yes: a few flights in 2011

December 20 Austin-Los Cabos Daily E175 (SkyWest) No

December 20 Boston-St Thomas Daily 757-200 Yes: most recently in 2022

December 20 Detroit-Grand Cayman Weekly 737-800 Yes: until 2020

December 20 Detroit-Liberia Weekly 737-900ER No

December 20 Indianapolis-Cancun Weekly A320 Yes: until 2020

December 20 Kansas City-Cancun Weekly 737-900ER Yes: until 2020

December 20 Minneapolis-Nassau Weekly A321 Yes: until 2020

December 20
Nashville-Cancun Weekly 737-800 Yes: until 2020

December 20 New York JFK-Grand Cayman Weekly 737-900ER Yes: most recently in 2016

December 20 Raleigh/Durham-San Juan Weekly 737-900ER No

* They may vary at other times ** Since 1990

Atlanta's 1st Flight To St. Vincent

At 1,766 nautical miles (3,271 km) each way, St. Vincent becomes Delta's third-longest Caribbean route from Atlanta. Only Barbados and Grenada (which relaunched on December 20) cover more distance. It is Delta's first time in St. Vincent.

According to booking data, fewer than 3,000 people flew between Atlanta, Delta's top fortress hub, and the Caribbean island in the 12 months to October 2025. The market was absolutely tiny. It was the seventh-largest unserved Caribbean destination from the Georgia hub. Of course, it'll be easy to increase demand from nonstop flights and, hopefully, strong promotions.

Given the lack of local market, the daily frequency from the get-go is unusually bullish, especially when most of the 13 route additions are only served weekly. It is not helped by the route running daily through April 12, and weekly thereafter.

It will, of course, rely massively on connections across the US. However, half of the US traffic is to Greater New York City and Miami, which already have nonstop flights (but not on Delta). Like any very strong hub, it'll capture passengers flying from many dozens of airports and beyond, including multiple airports serving Greater NYC.

Only One Addition Is On A Regional Jet

Everyone knows that Austn has seen huge growth by Delta recently. The ever-popular Mexican beach destination of Los Cabos has now joined its map. Along with Cancun flights, which began on the same day, it is the first time Delta has had regular international service from Austin.

It is the third operator to Los Cabos. Between December 25 and 31, it coexists with American (six weekly 737-800) and Southwest (five weekly 737-700). Delta's daily frequency, albeit on an E175, will help with competitiveness and market share.

https://simpleflying.com/author/jamespearson/

Delta Expands Trans-Atlantic Network By Resuming Flights To Tel Aviv From Atlanta

Flights will resume from Atlanta beginning on April 15, 2026, operating three times a week on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays.

Delta announced it is resuming its flights from Atlanta to Tel Aviv in an effort to expand its trans-Atlantic network.

The airline is restoring the nonstop service from other key U.S. hubs to Israel as well, including Boston and New York.

Flights will resume from Atlanta beginning on April 15, 2026, operating three times a week on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays. Daily service from Boston begins on October 24, 2026.

Both flights will feature Delta One, Delta Premium Select, Delta Comfort, and Delta Main products.

"I want to thank Delta for resuming nonstop service between Atlanta and Tel Aviv, providing a direct connection between the State of Georgia and one of our strongest allies," said Georgia Governor Brian Kemp in a release. "This flight is important to so many in our state, further strengthening the cultural and economic ties between Georgia and Israel.”

Delta recently resumed flights to Tel Aviv from New York-JFK on September 1, 2025. A second daily frequency between New York-JFK and Tel Aviv will be available from November 30, 2025 until January 19, 2026, to meet winter travel demands.

Travelore News: US Imposes New Flight Restrictions On Mexico, Affecting Delta And Aeromexico Partnership

On Saturday, the Trump administration imposed new restrictions on flights from Mexico, threatening to end a partnership between Delta Air Lines and Aeromexico.

FILE - Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy speaks during a news conference to provide a status update on Newark Liberty International Airport at the Department of Transportation in Washington, Wednesday, May 28, 2025. (AP Photo/Rod Lamkey, Jr.)

The new restriction comes in response to limits the Mexican government placed on passenger and cargo flights into Mexico City several years ago.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said Mexico’s actions force airlines to move out of the main Benito Juarez International Airport to the new Felipe Angeles International Airport.

Duffy said that the more than 30 miles away move violated a trade agreement between the two countries and gave domestic airlines an unfair advantage.

"Joe Biden and Pete Buttigieg deliberately allowed Mexico to break our bilateral aviation agreement,” Duffy said, referring to the former president and his transportation secretary. “That ends today. Let these actions serve as a warning to any country who thinks it can take advantage of the U.S., our carriers, and our market. America First means fighting for the fundamental principle of fairness.

Under the new requirements, all Mexican passenger and cargo charter airlines will be required to submit their schedules to the Transportation Department and receive government approval of their flights.

It is not clear how Duffy’s restrictions might affect the broader trade war with Mexico and tariff negotiations.

Mexico President Claudia Sheinbaum has not responded to the new restrictions.
Since 2016, the Transportation Department has been trying to end the partnership between Delta and Aeromexico. The two airlines have pushed bask arguing that it is unfair to punish them for the Mexican government’s actions and ending their partnership would jeopardize nearly two dozen routes and $800 million in economic benefits for both countries that come from tourism and jobs.
“The U.S. Department of Transportation’s tentative proposal to terminate its approval of the strategic and pro-competitive partnership between Delta and Aeromexico would cause significant harm to consumers traveling between the U.S. and Mexico, as well as U.S. jobs, communities, and transborder competition," Delta said in a statement.

Aeromexico has not yet responded to the new requirements, however, they stated that they are reviewing the order and plan to present a joint response with Delta in the coming days.

by ANISSA REYES

Travelore News: Delta Air Lines Quietly Pulls Back On Free Earbuds Distribution

A long-standing inflight perk is being scaled back, and it could signal a shift in how airlines manage amenity distribution.

Lukas Wunderlich via Getty Images

Since 1978, Delta Air Lines passengers have grown accustomed to receiving complimentary earbuds onboard, an amenity introduced with the airline’s original three-class cabin service: First, Medallion and Economy. For many travelers, these simple headphones have become a small but expected part of the Delta flying experience, helping passengers access the airline’s extensive in-flight entertainment system with ease.
But starting May 15, 2025, that experience is got a quiet yet significant update.

No more earbud handouts during boarding

According to an internal memo obtained by Gate Access, Delta Air Lines is rolling back the automatic distribution of complimentary earbuds for passengers in Comfort+ and Main Cabin. Moving forward, only Business and First Class travelers will receive earbuds without needing to ask.

Flight attendants have been instructed to discontinue the practice of walking the aisle and offering earbuds during boarding. Additionally, the customary audio announcement that previously informed passengers of the availability of earbuds will be removed entirely.

This move marks the first major change to Delta’s earbud policy in nearly five decades.

Why is Delta making this change?

Delta has attributed the shift to "challenges with global sourcing networks." In other words, supply chain constraints have prompted the airline to take steps to conserve inventory.

While Delta emphasizes that the change is temporary, the memo suggests that it’s part of a broader effort to manage resources amid ongoing logistics issues. Notably, the policy adjustment won’t affect all routes. Delta will continue to distribute earbuds across most transoceanic flights, regardless of cabin class. However, the memo does leave room for further updates, indicating that the policy may evolve depending on how the situation unfolds.

How to get earbuds on Delta flights now

If you’re flying in Comfort+ or Main Cabin and still want to enjoy Delta’s seatback entertainment options, you can still request a pair of earbuds—just don’t expect them to be proactively offered. Passengers are advised to wait until they’re fully seated before making the request, in order to avoid slowing down the boarding process.

This subtle change could easily be missed if you’re not paying attention, which is likely by design. By shifting to a request-based model, Delta avoids creating a high-profile disruption while still achieving its operational goals.

Why this shift might actually make sense

From a logistical and sustainability perspective, this move has merit.

In-flight earbuds are often treated as disposable. Many passengers tuck them away in bags, forget about them in seatback pockets, or toss them after minimal use. This waste adds up, both in cost and environmental impact. By only distributing earbuds on request, Delta may be able to significantly cut down on unnecessary consumption and improve inventory management.

There’s also a behavioral component to consider. The expectation of "free stuff" on flights, whether it's earbuds, snacks, or small toiletry kits, has long been a part of airline culture. But as carriers shift focus to streamlining operations and reducing waste, reconditioning traveler expectations could become an industry-wide trend.

Still, this type of change requires thoughtful execution.

Managing perception is key

One of the more delicate aspects of Delta’s decision is its choice not to make a public announcement. Instead, it’s quietly updating onboard procedures and letting travelers find out the new policy in real time.

While this avoids drawing headlines or sparking backlash, it can also create confusion. Frequent flyers who’ve come to expect earbuds without having to ask may feel overlooked or, worse, unfairly singled out when their rowmate receives a pair and they don’t.

Airlines walk a fine line between efficiency and passenger satisfaction, and seemingly minor adjustments, like not receiving something as simple as earbuds, can feel jarring when not properly communicated.

That said, this shift isn’t about cutting costs at the expense of the customer. It’s about smarter distribution. And for travelers who genuinely value in-flight entertainment, the solution is still simple: just ask.

Final takeaway

Delta’s decision to move from automatic to on-request earbud distribution signals a subtle but important shift in airline amenity strategy. While the change is framed as temporary and driven by supply challenges, it also reflects a broader trend in how airlines are rethinking what "free" means at 30,000 feet.

Whether this model becomes the norm across more airlines remains to be seen, but passengers would be wise to pack their own headphones, just in case. As travel rebounds and carriers look to trim inefficiencies, expect more low-key adjustments like this to quietly reshape the in-flight experience.

For now, the earbuds are still there, just not in your hand unless you ask.


https://www.yahoo.com/author/gate-access/

Delta Air Lines Is Adding Another New Caribbean Route, With Nonstop Flights To Punta Cana

The beaches. The all-inclusive resorts. The beach bars. The Brugal. Punta Cana is the crown jewel of the Caribbean’s most-visited country, and it’s getting another new route from Delta Air Lines next summer.

Beginning May 10, Delta will be kicking off a new nonstop flight between Detroit and Punta Cana

The new route will run seasonally, with service every Saturday on a Boeing 737-900 aircraft.

It’s part of a growing Caribbean network out of Detroit, including the just-relaunched service between Detroit and Nassau in The Bahamas.

You can book the nonstop flight between Delta and Punta Cana for about $724 roundtrip, according to Google Flights.

Delta Passengers Sue Airline For Refusing Refunds After Massive Computer Outage

Delta Airlines (DAL.N), opens new tab was sued by passengers who complained that the carrier refused to offer full refunds after delaying or canceling their flights in the wake of last month's massive computer outage.

The proposed class action was made public on Wednesday in Atlanta federal court, after the July 19 outage disrupted airlines, banks, hospitals and emergency lines.

Passengers accused Delta of breach of contract for failing to provide automatic refunds, and providing partial refunds only if they signed waivers against pursuing further legal claims.

They also said Delta should compensate them for the cost and inconvenience of rebooking with other airlines, hotels and food, and from being separated from their luggage.

One of the four plaintiffs, John Brennan of Florida, said he and his wife missed a $10,000 anniversary cruise after being stranded in Atlanta on a layover, but Delta offered just $219.45 in compensation.

The lawsuit said the airline's "unfair, unlawful, and unconscionable practices resulted in Delta unjustly enriching itself at the expense of its customers."

Delta declined to comment on the lawsuit, but has said passengers whose travel was disrupted can request and receive refunds, and seek compensation for incidental costs, opens new tab.

Delta's passengers remained stranded, waiting in lines for days trying to get to their destinations," Joseph Sauder, a lawyer for the plaintiffs, said in an email. "When our clients sought refunds, Delta again failed to deliver."

The outage stemmed from a flawed software update from the cybersecurity company CrowdStrike (CRWD.O), opens new tab that crashed more than 8 million computers worldwide and affected many Microsoft (MSFT.O), opens new tab customers.

Disruptions subsided the next day for many U.S. carriers but persisted at Delta, leading to more than 6,000 cancellations.

CrowdStrike, Microsoft and Delta have since argued publicly over who is to blame and should pay the bills.

Delta Chief Executive Ed Bastian estimated on July 31 that the outage cost his Atlanta-based carrier about $500 million.

Passengers filed a separate class action against CrowdStrike on Monday, also seeking damages.

The Austin, Texas-based company has said it was neither grossly negligent nor at fault for Delta's problems.

The case is Bajra et al v Delta Air Lines, U.S. District Court, Northern District of Georgia, No. 24-03477.

Reporting by Jonathan Stempel in New York; Editing by Aurora Ellis, Reuters

These Are The Airlines Returning To Israel - And Those That Are Not

Many airlines froze their routes to Israel because of the war with Hamas, but are now finding their way back to the Holy Land.

More and more airlines that have frozen their routes to and from Israel are bringing their activities out from hibernation in the last month, and announcing to the Israeli passenger - we are here.

Many airlines announced the return of operations to Israel - here is what to expect and who you can fly with.

Airlines that fly to Israel currently, and where they fly:

El Al (including Sun Dor): Amsterdam, Athens, Budapest, Boston, Bucharest, Bangkok, Berlin, Barcelona, ​​Dubai, Vienna, Venice, Warsaw, Geneva, Tbilisi, Johannesburg, London, Los Angeles, Lisbon, Larnaca, Madrid, Moscow, Miami, Milan, Munich, Marseille, New York, Sofia, Thessaloniki, Phuket, Prague, Paris, Frankfurt, Zurich, Chisinau, Krakow, Rome

Israir: Athens, Budapest, Bucharest, Batumi, Dubai, Varna, Tbilisi, Larnaca, Sofia, Prague, Chisinau.

Arkia: Athens, Budapest, Bucharest, Grenoble Batumi, Belgrade, Barcelona, ​​Grenoble, Larnaca, Milan, PragueFrom February: Sri Lanka, Amsterdam

Aegean Airlines: Athens

An El Al flight landed in Melbourne, Australia for the first time in April 2020. (credit: Walla)

Uzbekistan Airlines: Tashkent

Austrian Airlines: Vienna

Air France: Paris

Ethiopian Airlines: Addis Ababa

Etihad Airways: Abu Dhabi

High Sky: Chisinau

Hainan Airlines: Shenzhen

TAROM: Bucharest

Fly (TUS): Larnaca

Lot: Warsaw

Lufthansa: Munich and Frankfurt

Swiss: Zurich

Fly Dubai: Dubai

Airlines that announced that they are returning to fly to Israel in February:

Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL) from 2.8 to Baku

View of a ''Wizz Air'' flight, a Hungarian low-cost airline, taking off from Ben-Gurion Airport. September 03, 2014. (credit: MOSHE SHAI/FLASH90)

Air Seychelles: from 2.6 to Seychelles

Air Europa: from 2.22 to Madrid

Emirates: from 2.1 to Dubai

Blue Bird: from 2.1 to Athens

Georgian Airways: From 2.17 to Tbilisi

Transavia: from 2.1 to Paris

Smart Wings: from 2.1 to Prague

Airlines returning to fly to Israel in March

Iberia: from 3.1 to Madrid

EasyJet: from 3.1

Air India: from 3.1 to Mumbai

Eurowings: from 3.21 to Dusseldorf

American Airlines: from 3.21 to New York

Brussels Airlines: from 3.1 to Brussels

Gulf Air: from 3.30 to Manama, Bahrain

Wizz Air: from 3.1 to Budapest, Bucharest, Sofia, London, Krakow, Rome

United Airlines: from 3.2 to New York
KLM: from 3.1 to Amsterdam

Pegasus Airlines: from 3.1 to various destinations in Turkey

Finnair: from 3.30 to Helsinki

Cathay Pacific: from 3.28 to Hong Kong

Royal Air from Morocco: from 3.1 to Marrakesh

ITA: from 3.1 to Rome

Airlines returning to Israel in April

Air Baltic: from 4.1 to Riga

Air Canada: from 4.8 to Toronto

Emirates: from 4.1 to Dubai

Bulgaria Air: from 4.8 to Sofia

British Airways: from 4.1 to London

Delta Airlines: from 4.1 to New York

Virgin Atlantic: from 4.1 to London

Cyprus Airways: from 4.2 to Larnaca

Other extreme delays in returning to Israel

Air Malta, Air Serbia, and Norwegian Air will not return to Israel until further notice.

TAP, Turkish Airlines, and Royal Jordanian will not return to Israel until at least January 2025.

Korean Air: from 4.30 to Seoul

Vueling: from 3.2 to Barcelona

By WALLA! TOURISM

Wheelchair Users Excited By New Delta Airplane Seat Design

A new airplane seat concept that allows wheelchair users to stay in their own chair throughout a flight was revealed this week by a subsidiary of US airline Delta, a move welcomed as a “huge step” by potential customers.

“Unbelievably excited,” is how power wheelchair user and avid traveler Cory Lee described his reaction after a working prototype of the design was demonstrated by Delta Flight Products (DFP) at the Aircraft Interiors Expo (AIX) in Hamburg, Germany, a symposium spotlighting airplane cabin innovations.

DFP’s concept seamlessly converts to and from a traditional airplane seat. The built-in seat folds up to allow a wheelchair to be docked into place. The seat would be installed into pre-existing aircraft seat track systems, so would not involve any structural change to the airplane.

When the seat’s in wheelchair mode, flyers are still able to use the tray table – the center console that houses the tray table rises to the appropriate height when the seat conversion takes place.

Rick Salanitri, DFP president, told CNN Travel at AIX that the goal is to make the conversion seamless.

Though still only a prototype, the design is already generating significant buzz among wheelchair users who could be among potential customers. It’s hoped that the concept could enter commercial use within 18 months if it passes testing and is adopted by airlines.

“For decades, people with disabilities have been fighting for more accessible air travel, and this feels like a huge step (or a giant roll) toward real inclusivity,” Lee told CNN Travel via email.

Lee’s visited 43 countries and counting, documenting his adventures on his blog. He loves exploring the world, but said at present air travel is “tremendously difficult” for him.

As airlines can’t typically accommodate powered chairs, Lee usually has to use a non-electric, airport-owned one, which he can’t control himself. This, he said, leads to a “scary” loss of independence.

This discomfort continues when he boards a plane and must be lifted by staff into an aisle wheelchair, and then again onto an airplane seat.

“During those transfers, I’ve nearly been dropped on several occasions,” said Lee.

Once on board, Lee spends the whole journey concerned that his personal wheelchair may be damaged during flight (“It has been damaged so badly that I couldn’t even drive it out of the airport on two different occasions,” he explained.)

Lee’s experiences are not unique. Air travel is infamously inaccessible, with disability activists vocal about the dehumanizing and dangerous air experience for wheelchair users.

To produce this new seat design, DFP partnered with UK-based consortium Air4All. Air4All comprises aviation design company PriestmanGoode, advocacy group Flying Disabled, aerospace company SWS Certification and wheelchair design company Sunrise Medical.

Flying Disabled’s Christopher Wood kickstarted the consortium a few years ago. His two adult children are wheelchair users who love to travel, and Wood’s seen firsthand the issues they encounter on airplanes.

“I did research to try and create a solution,” Wood tells CNN Travel at AIX. First, he looked into working with nonprofits. Eventually he concluded he needed to go directly to an aviation company. He approached Priestman Goode and Air4All was formed.

“I found like minded people,” said Wood.

Somewhere along the line, DFP – described by Salanitri as “a product development company inside of the airline” – and Priestman Goode started talking about the concept.

“We thought the idea had some merit,” said Salanitri. DFP bookmarked the idea, and then revisited it when they were approached by Delta Air Lines customer service team to see if they could develop “some sort of carrier that they could put customer wheelchairs in.”

That was an “aha” moment, said Salanitri.

‘Well, we came across this other idea here,’” he recalled saying.

That was around 18 months ago, and the product’s been in development ever since.

DFP said it brought in a disability focus group to weigh in every step of the way. One of the key pieces of feedback, said product innovation manager Tyler Anderson-Lennert, was the height of the center console, which now elevates when the seat is in wheelchair mode.

“This has been done with some serious backing from the community to give their feedback,” added Flying Disabled’s Wood, who said it was important that this wasn’t an airline “lecturing to the community,” but rather a collaborative, instructive process.

By Francesca Street, CNN

Delta Asks DOJ To Put Unruly Passengers On No-Fly List

Any person convicted of a disruption on board a flight should be added to the national “no fly” list, Delta Air Lines told the U.S. Department of Justice.

In a letter to the Justice Department Attorney General Merrick Garland dated Thursday, Delta CEO Ed Bastian said there should be “zero tolerance” for any behavior that affects flight safety. Bastian noted that while such incidents of bad behavior represent a small fraction of overall flights on Delta, the rate of incidents on the airline has increased nearly 100% since 2019. “This action will help prevent future incidents and serve as a strong symbol of the consequences of not complying with crew member instructions on commercial aircraft,” Bastian wrote in the letter furnished to The Associated Press by Delta Air Lines.

Delta has, along with its industry partner Airlines for America, been pushing since last year for heightened reporting, investigation and prosecution of those who interfere with on-board safety. The airlines, based in Atlanta, said it has put nearly 1,900 people on Delta’s “no-fly” list for refusing to comply with masking requirements and submitted more than 900 banned names to the Transportation Security Administration to pursue civil penalties.

A spokesperson with TSA, which enforces the FBI “no fly” list of potential terrorist threats, referred a reporter to the FBI since that agency maintains the database. Both the FBI and the Justice Department declined to comment. The Federal Aviation Administration cited 4.9 reported unruly incidents per 10,000 flights the week ending Jan. 23, according to its website.

In December, the TSA announced a new partnership with the FAA that would call for unruly airline passengers facing additional consequences for bad behavior under a new partnership. Under the alliance, the FAA will share information of passengers facing fines for unruly behavior with the TSA, which may remove the passenger from its pre-check screening eligibility, a privilege reserved for low-risk travelers.

Travelore News: Delta Extending Expiring Travel Vouchers From Pandemic

Delta Air Lines said Wednesday it will extend through 2023 the window for customers to rebook credits earned when they purchased but then canceled flights during the pandemic.

Before the announcement, Delta flight credits were set to expire at the end of 2022. The new date will also apply to all tickets bought in 2022. Customers will be able to use the credits throughout 2024 if the trip is booked by Dec. 31, 2023, the airline said.

The move was not immediately matched by American Airlines or United Airlines, where credits are set to expire March 31 and Dec. 31, respectively.

Passengers are entitled to refunds under federal law if the airline cancels their flight. But if the passenger cancels, airlines generally provide only some form of credit or voucher, typically with a one-year expiration.

Refunds have become a major source of airline consumer complaints to the U.S. Transportation Department. Congress is considering legislation that would require airlines to cover lodging, meals and other costs that consumers incur when airlines cancel their flight.

Airlines Return To Old Ways; Southwest Drops Boarding Change

As Americans slowly return to flying, airlines are dropping some of the changes they made early in the pandemic.

Southwest Airlines has gone back to boarding passengers in lots of 30. During the pandemic, it restricted boarding to 10 passengers at a time to create more space between them.

Airline spokeswoman Brandy King said that the change went into effect on March 15. She said that when Southwest started boarding in smaller groups last May, face masks weren’t as common, and people were just getting accustomed to social distancing in public places.

Southwest and several other airlines that once blocked middle seats now sell out flights if they can. The last holdout is Delta Air Lines, which has extended empty middle seats through April 30.

A search of Delta flights in May showed middle seats for sale. A Delta spokesman said the airline hasn’t decided whether to extend the middle-seat ban, and if it does, passengers in middle seats can be moved to window and aisle seats.

Many airlines are also bringing back snacks and drinks after halting service last year to limit contact between flight attendants and passengers. Some, but not all, have resumed selling alcohol —Southwest is still dry; other airlines vary service by flight length and whether passengers are in first-class.

Tuesday marked the 13th straight day that more than 1 million passengers went through U.S. airport checkpoints, according to the Transportation Security Administration. Traffic is still down about half from the same period in 2019, however.

Delta's 'COVID-Free' Flights To Europe Allow Passengers To Skip Quarantine

Delta Air Lines has established the first quarantine-free travel corridors between the U.S. and Europe as airlines continue to turn to testing as a way to safely reopen travel routes that have been cut amid the pandemic. Delta's three-week pilot testing program allows U.S. travelers flying for essential reasons -- such as work, health or education -- to fly from Atlanta to Amsterdam and Rome without having to quarantine when they arrive. The airline worked with advisers from the Mayo Clinic to establish a protocol that involves multiple tests: a PCR test five days before travel, a negative rapid test at the Atlanta airport prior to boarding, and a second PCR test upon landing in Europe.

"By implementing a testing protocol in the U.S. for these COVID-free flights we're able to make sure that these customers who are traveling are negative and they don't pose a risk to society and their destination city," Delta's senior vice president of alliances and international, Perry Cantarutti, told ABC News. Passengers boarded Delta's first quarantine-free flight from Atlanta to Amsterdam on Tuesday, and the first flight to Rome is set to take off this weekend. International travel among U.S. carriers is still down around 70% compared to last year, according to Airlines for America as many countries' borders remain closed to U.S. citizens. Transatlantic flights are some of the most lucrative routes and airlines have been pressuring governments for months to come to a global agreement on pre-flight testing protocols that could replace restrictive quarantine measures and boost passenger confidence. "There is a lot of demand out there," Cantarutti said. "People want to travel and we think that being able to avoid quarantine is an enabler that will bring more people to the market." United Airlines said they saw passenger loads double after the airline established a testing protocol within the U.S. that allowed passengers traveling from San Francisco to Hawaii to bypass quarantine restrictions.

Air travel isn't projected to return to pre-pandemic levels until 2024 -- even with the record-breaking development of the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines. "The good news is we have the vaccine on the horizon," Cantarutti said. "But we will have passengers who some have the vaccine, some who maybe have immunity from having had COVID, others who have been through testing. We're going to need to be able to accommodate all of those kinds of travelers in order to reopen international travel." The International Air Transport Association designed a mobile app they hope can serve as a digital health passport where travelers can store verified test or vaccination results. They unveiled design elements of their 'Travel Pass' on Wednesday. “Testing is the immediate solution to safely reopen borders and reconnect people," IATA CEO Alexandre de Juniac said in a release. "And eventually this is likely to transition to vaccination requirements. In either case, a secure system to manage COVID-19 testing or vaccination information is critical." Source: https://abcnews.go.com/

Delta Has Banned Over 460 Anti-Maskers

Washington (CNN Business)In a new memo, Delta Air Lines says it has banned more than 400 people from flying for not following the airline's mask policy.

"As of this week, we've added over 460 people to our no-fly list for refusing to comply with our mask requirement," Delta CEO Ed Bastian said in a message to employees. In August, the airline said it had banned roughly 270 passengers since the outset of the pandemic. Delta (DAL) began requiring that passengers wear masks on flights on May 4. All major airlines now mandate that passengers wear masks in the absence of any new regulations from the federal government. Airlines in June agreed to ban passengers from future flights for refusing to wear masks. But the airlines are not sharing information with one another about the passengers they have banned. So, for example, a passenger banned on Delta can still book a flight on American (AAL) and vice versa. The airlines have defended the get-tough policy as important to protect the health and safety of both passengers and crew members. Earlier this month, the CDC said in new guidance that travel "increases your chances of getting and spreading" coronavirus. "CDC strongly recommends appropriate masks be worn by all passengers and by all personnel operating the conveyance while on public conveyances," the guidance said. Source: https://www.cnn.com/2020/10/25/business/delta-mask-ban/index.html

The Airline Industry Is Ditching Change Fees Because It’s Desperate For People To Fly

American Airlines and Delta Air Lines both said they would permanently eliminate fees associated with changing or canceling a flight. The news comes less than a day after United Airlines first announced a permanent end to its change fee policy.

All three carriers have been waiving change fees since March 2020, when the novel coronavirus pandemic first disrupted global air travel. With demand dried up, the airlines are seeking to make flying look safe, stress-free, and, most of all, cheap. And that means eliminating many of the fees and surcharges associated with air travel.

“We’ve said before that we need to approach flexibility differently than this industry has in the past, and today’s announcement builds on that promise to ensure we’re offering industry-leading flexibility, space and care to our customers,” said Delta CEO Ed Bastian in a statement.

“When we hear from customers about where we can improve, getting rid of this fee is often the top request,” said United CEO Scott Kirby.

“By eliminating change fees, giving customers an opportunity to get where they want to go faster with free same-day standby on earlier flights and providing access to upgrades and seats for all fare types,” American Airlines Chief Revenue Officer Vasu Raja said, “we’re giving customers the freedom to make their own choices when traveling with American.”

The new policy only applies to travel within the US. Airlines have traditionally relied on change fees, which can be as high as $200 a person, to rake in billions of dollars every year. United took in $625 million in change fees in 2019, while Delta earned $615 million. Industrywide, change fees brought in $2.8 billion in 2019.

But the COVID-19 crisis has brought the industry to the edge of financial ruin. The major airlines were hit with historic losses this past quarter. Collectively, the Big Three — United, Delta, and American — lost a staggering $10 billion during the second quarter of 2020. JetBlue lost $320 million, Southwest $915 million, and budget carriers Spirit and Alaska lost $144 million and $214 million, respectively.

The pressure is now on the smaller and midtier carriers to make a similar move. Those airlines aren’t hoarding as much cash and most likely can’t afford to give up revenue as the major carriers. A spokesperson for Southwest noted that the airline has never charged an extra fee for travel changes, while spokespersons for Spirit, JetBlue, and Alaska airlines did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

By Andrew J. Hawkins

Source: https://www.theverge.com/2020/8/31/21409152/united-delta-airlines-change-fee-eliminate-covid?ck_subscriber_id=958964026

Delta Has Banned Nearly 250 Passengers For Refusing To Wear Masks

(CNN) — Delta Airlines' mask policy is not a suggestion, it's mandatory. Passengers refusing to abide by the rule to keep masks on at all times (save eating or drinking) don't get to fly with Delta. It's just that simple.

As of August 27, Delta said it has banned roughly 240 people from flying with the carrier.

"Although rare, we continue to put passengers who refuse to follow the required face-covering rules on our no-fly list," says Delta CEO Ed Bastian in an internal memo to employees shared with CNN.

The memo celebrates the opening of Delta's new Salt Lake City hub and included references to the airline's current state of affairs, its continued growth and the considerable impact that Covid-19 has had on managing the health and safety of staff and passengers.

"Systemwide, we continue to identify opportunities to speed up our airport projects and position Delta to lead in the recovery with world-class facilities that will help us transform the customer experience," writes Bastian.

Masked skies

From compulsory mask rules to keeping middle seats empty and the reduction or elimination of food and drink service, struggling airlines are doing what they can to reduce the spread of coronavirus while trying to stay in business.

And make no mistake: Many, like Delta, couldn't be more serious about following through with their pledges in the time of Covid-19.

Delta Airlines continues to provide service for passengers, provided they wear a mask on board the aircraft.

David McNew/Getty Images

Since the advent of the policy, which Delta began implementing in June, the number of passengers on the no-fly list has more than doubled in less than a month. Bastian told CNN on August 7, "We've had well over 100 people that have refused to keep their mask on during the flight."

The federal government has not implemented mask-wearing regulations, unlike the enforceable requirements around wearing seatbelts and not smoking on planes. This leaves it up to airlines to police passenger behavior, which has resulted in stringent new policies.

Passengers who decide to break the mask-wearing rules face consequences -- like banning those passengers from future flights.

In the employee memo, Bastian said: "As we all work toward the recovery, it's vital that we continue to stay focused on the drive to provide the safest, cleanest airports, aircraft and workspaces possible."

Source: https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/delta-airlines-no-fly-list-tops-240/index.html

Delta’s New $59 Subscription Gets You Booze And Early Access To Overhead Bins. But Is It Worth It?

(Washington Post illustration; iStock)

By Hannah Sampson

Air travelers who stress over finding a place to stow their carry-on bag have a new option: pay an annual fee to board flights early — and hope it will be enough to avoid the critical mass of fellow travelers and their luggage.

Delta introduced a “new travel benefits bundle” called SkyMiles Select on Wednesday that costs $59 for a year. Its benefits — the subject of hot debate on frequent-flier forums — include priority boarding, eight drink vouchers and “a limited-edition bag tag.”

“Board sooner and find the perfect overhead bin space with Main Cabin 1 boarding,” the airline says on its website. Despite that hook, the airline is not explicitly guaranteeing travelers will always find bin space.

“Customers have told us they want more ways to access benefits when traveling with Delta, and we know priority boarding is a valuable benefit as it gives customers more time to get settled before their flight,” Delta spokesman Anthony Black said in an email. “We’ll look to expand the types of benefits they can access based on feedback from this test.”

The boarding position is hardly elite: According to Delta’s website, Main Cabin 1 boards fourth from last, after four other groups (not including military, travelers who need extra help, or people with car seats and strollers). One segment who could benefit: those who book the cheapest tickets, known as “Basic Economy,” which boards last. If they buy the bundle, they get to board earlier.

[Checking a bag vs. carrying on is the great debate of airline travel]

“There is some value here,” says Kyle Potter, editor in chief of the travel website Thrifty Traveler, who wrote about the new benefits. “Not a ton.”

Most beer, wine and spirits cost $9, so eight drink vouchers are worth more than the $59 fee. But, Potter points out, Delta credit card holders already board in the same group, and those with certain levels of frequent-flier status board earlier. Those travelers aren’t the target market for this offer, he said.

“They’re going after kind of the Average Joes and Average Janes out there who fly twice, maybe three times a year,” Potter says. “And this could give them a reason to keep going back to Delta for those two or three flights a year because they want to use those benefits.”

Delta isn’t the only airline to offer subscriptions; United sells them for its Economy Plus category and baggage, among other things. And other airlines sell early access to the plane: JetBlue’s “Even More Space” seats come with early boarding, and on Southwest, travelers can pay $15 to $25 each way to nab a boarding position before most of the rest of the plane. Both airlines highlight access to overhead bins as a perk. Delta itself sells a priority boarding add-on for $15 each way.

In messages on FlyerTalk, an online travel site, some fliers sounded intrigued by the offer. Others were not so impressed.

“I guess it’s best of the rest,” one user said about the boarding group. “But calling it priority is a stretch, even on a good day.”

Another commenter worried about what the new subscription could mean for the future of bin struggles: “If this proves popular, we might start seeing some flights that run out of overhead space in the middle of Main Cabin 1 boarding!”

Source: https://www.washingtonpost.com/travel/2019/10/18/deltas-new-subscription-gets-you-booze-early-access-overhead-bins-is-it-worth-it/