Complaints about the major airlines are plentiful. What's a little unusual about Delta is how angry some of its best customers are -- those who've reached stratospheric in the SkyMiles program, for example. These are the 100,000-mile flyers that every airline swears it will do anything to retain. Delta certainly has an odd way of showing it.
We'd say the comments below pretty well sum it up.
Angela of Sunninghill GA (08/30/08) I am absolutely disgusted with the shocking service from Delta. The flight was cancelled but no passengers were called. I arrived at the airport at 3pm to check in only to be told the flight is cancelled but we can wait and see if we can get onto a flight on another airline. I was one of the first passengers there. I stood waiting around for two hours at Delta ticket office along with the other 4 people I had booked tickets for waiting for feedback on alternate flights. We were then told that business class passengers get priority. This is absolute discrimination. We have several meetings set up on Sunday and Monday that cannot be moved. We were sent from pillar to post to try arrange our own tickets with both SAA and Air France.
The staff were not trained on how to handle the situation and nobody could actually give us proper advice. We were given several different stories only to be told eventually at about 7pm they would put us on first class on Emirates but could not provide meals. We were all happy with this as it was imperative that we got to Atlanta. Eventually after running around, they told us that the Emirates check in on the system was closed and sorry they missed the check in. I have just arrived back at home at 10pm since arriving at the airport at 3pm. I even called Delta USA who informed me the flight is rescheduled for tomorrow, Saturday 30th, however at the airport they told us we are flying on Sunday morning and must be at the airport at 4:30am. It seemed none of the staff could guarantee this either.
I fly on a lot of different airlines and have never had the misfortune of encountering such useless, untrained, unknowledgeable staff with a bad attitude who displayed absolute ignorance and acted as though they were doing us favours. They had one staff member sitting at the ticketing office with about 300 irate passengers who could not be helped. I want an upgrade on the next flight as part of the compensation and should my hotel and car hire charge me for the delay, I will be instituting a claim against Delta.
This is a group of us traveling together. We have arranged au-pairs for our children at home and have several meetings as well as hotels, cars and inter-state flights booked. As we all own our own businesses, we cannot re-arrange or extend the trip. Apparently the next scheduled flight is only on sunday which means we miss all of our sunday and monday meetings.
We were absolutely discriminated against as we were one of the first lot of passengers there and yet were overlooked for alternate flights as we were flying economy and not business class despite the fact the airline was informed that we had meetings set up.
Susan of Stafford VA (08/30/08) My 18 year old daughter was flying for the first time across country from Maine to California by herself. Her flight from Portland Maine was delayed by 2 1/2 hours reason unknown, no storms reported on 8/29/08. Once arrival at JFK 2 1/2 hours later then the booked, Delta told her she missed her connecting flight and there would be no flights out of the airport until 8:40 in the morning for her. Delta did not offer any accommodation's to her. No vouchers offered.
This is a kid who is not old enough or experienced enough to leave the terminal in that big city to get a hotel by herself which they wont do for 18 years olds anyway. My hysterical daughter stuck at JFK Delta terminal calls me and when I call delta they put me on hold off and on for almost an hour with nothing accomplished but sorry we cant help you. The Lady Kara G. at the JFK airport when I asked to talk to her she said I can't talk I am working and handed the phone back to my daughter. Really? So moral of story don't fly on delta your daughter might end up stranded unsafe in NY and Delta doesn't care.
Possible robbery, injury, or death in NY will let you know tomorrow morning.
Meri of Fredericksbury VA (08/26/08) It was my parents 50th wedding anniversary we had booked our flights from Regan National to Sioux Falls SD. We showed up at the airport for our 6:00 flight only to find out at the gate that our flight would be delayed and we would not make the connecting flight. Not only would we not make the connecting flight they could not FIND another flight into Sioux Falls for all 4 of us. They found 2 seats but we would have to change carriers in Minn.
So we left my husband and son behind and my daughter and I went. Only to find out once we got to Minnesota, my daughter did not have a ticket, and all the flight were over booked to Sioux Falls. So after talking to the lady at the gate she was able to get my daughter and me on a flight at 9:00 at night.
We were unable to attend the anniversary and missed the family picture. If I would have known it was going to be such a headache I wouldn't have left home. It took us 15 hours to get to our destination. Then we were promised vouchers, since they couldn't get us to our destination. The lady at the gate told us to go onto Delta's website and get our vouchers. Which by the way were not there? We should have received them from her, but we were so frustrated about the whole situation id didn't cross our minds.
This would have been the first time my parents have seen us all together since we left for Okinawa Japan 10 years ago. Being in the Military and kids in school it hard to get everyone in one place at one time. This would have been it.
Michelle of Vancouver OTHER (08/25/08) My mother and daughter flew from Vancouver BC to Atlanta then transferred to Orlando on the 14th of July 2008. The flights were late to begin with. The reserved seats they had were changed on all flights and my daughter is a minor. The service was horrible. The flight smelled like urine, then my mothers wallet was stolen. All the cash and her id and my daughters and credits cards were gone.
On the 15th of July the airport lost and found for Delta Airlines called my house and said they had my mothers wallet but no cash in it. They would not send it until my mother confirmed what was in the wallet. They would not call the hotel were she was staying. We spent the next week calling everyday and leaving messages with no returned calls. When I finally did get someone they said that nobody had called us and that they did not have the wallet. WE spoke to every department that we could think of even the head office and nothing. finally about 2 weeks ago we got a phone call from the lost and found again saying that they have the wallet and will send it UPS to us right away.
They put a totally different address than ours, and we ended up having to drive to the airport plant of UPS to pick it up. When we opened the package it was not even our wallet, The wallet belonged to a gentlemen in Toronto. He rec'd my mothers wallet. After all that Delta Airlines told UPS to charge my mothers credit card for the whole thing. If they thought for a minute, the wallet was stolen the card was reported stolen how could a payment go through. I spoke with executives asst. today and they said they will not return our money from the flight but they will give us vouchers, why would we EVER want to flight with such a horrible airline again.
the stress it has put on the whole family, My mother especially, it has gotten to her nerves way to much, she has been on edge since this all happened. We had to put the bank account on hold because all her id and cards are gone, now payments are trying to come out of our account for the house and they wont go through with it being on hold. With out her ID she can not open another bank account to make payments. Everything my mother needed was in that wallet and without it everything had to be put on hold. My daughter birth certificate, S.I.N # and care card were in there as well
Crystal of Toledo OH (08/18/08) I think this will be useful for your website. Being a flight attendant I deal with these people complaining everyday. After reviewing this site I just have a few tips to make life easier. First, recommended check in is 90 minutes prior to departure. There is a reason for this. We need to know how many bags and people will be on that aircraft. So the fact that you get to the aiport 30-45 min prior to departure is no ones fault but your own.
Second, when planning your trip or vacation ALWAYS plan for mishaps. Traveling the day before you have an obligation is clearly not a good idea. The airline can not control weather or maintenence issues. If the airplane can not be fixed it can not be fixed. Yelling at gate agents or crew will not get the problem fixed and will probably get you arrested. Mother Nature is also a problem. Always bring extra money in case you have to pay for a hotel for whatever city you may be stuck in. The airlines do NOT have to cover your hotel when there is weather in the airport vicinity.
Third, always come to the airport with your cell phone charged. Sitting on the tarmac for hours is never planned. When crews time out (which means their duty day is complete) they CAN NOT fly anymore. This is a FAA regulation, not a rule to anger passengers. You shouldn't want a pilot who has been on an aircraft for 14 hours anyways.
Last but not least, know your rights. When it comes to rebooking, cancellations, or whatever the case may be. It is your responsibility to know how long you have to rebook your flight or change or cancel your flight. It is surely all in writing on the website. I hope this helps everyone in your future travels.
Geraldine of Akron OH (08/14/08) i fell at tampa fla airport boarding and delta staff saw me getting up noone ask if i was okay or came over to see if i was okay other passengers help me up and i went to the boarding desk and the clerk just said you didn,t have to fall to get over here. some kind of customer service
i had to return to work on tue. 08/13/08 with a injury hand
John of Quantico VA (08/11/08) Repeated Mechanical problems caused continuous delays amouning to over 34 hours total for the trip, resulting in three missed days of work/training, a visit to the emergency room, and 4-day late arriving luggage that is completely destroyed. Outbound Flights: June 29th, 2008 - DL 6171 delayed almost an hour, no reason given. June 29th, 2008 - DL 126 - JFK - Madrid, on Board Delay 2+ hours, total delay due to mechanical issues and need of replacement part: 8+ hours including in the terminal with no food or drink. - Resulted in a missed day of Military Training.
Return Flights: July 13th, 2008 - DL 73 - Istanbul, Turkey - JFK - DCA - On board over 2 hours, then waiting in airport over 2 additional hours, then waiting to get into a hotel for 2 hours. No food, no explanation other than a mechanical issue, no way to contact family at home to arrange for alternate airport arrival schedule, promises of meals, transportation, next available flights, etc. Only dinner in a hotel restaurant miles from either the city or the airport and a phone call telling me I was about to miss my bus to the airport for a flight I had not been told about and barely was able to catch (After sprinting through the airport, pushing my way to the front of the passport and security line, I arrived at the gate as they were closing the airplane doors)
July 14th, 2008 -DL 8295 - (New flight, now with a connection in Paris instead of direct to JFK) - Istanbul - Paris - Boston - DCA - Delayed on-board almost 1 hour. July 14th, 2008 - DL 8604 Paris - Bostong On-Board delay almost 2 hours due to mechanical issues, arrived at scheduled departure time for my connecting flight, waited at baggage claim after inquiring three times, two different Delta agents, if I had to wait for my checked luggage and if they could track it and ensure it came on my flight (They refused to check until all the luggage had cleared and then just told me I should assume it went forward to DCA).
July 14th, 2008 - DL 5675 - Boston - DCA (New flight since the mechanical delays in Paris cost me my connection time, and my lost luggage cost me an earlier flight) While I waited, I had to beg for a $7 meal voucher, which the ticket agent grudgingly gave me after I pleaded my case. Aircraft delayed almost 1 hour for no explained reason. I wait an additional hour for my luggage, as the luggage agents refuse to check on my bags until all the baggage has cleared the system. July 17th, 10:00pm, I receive my luggage, one bag (previously used 1 time) is totally destroyed, almost beyond recognition.
After repeated communication with Delta Customer Service, both via telephone and email, I receive notification of a $100 travel voucher that was issued July 1st, in a preemptive response to the June 29th, 2008 - DL 126 debacle and told continuously that Delta's consistent policy that ensures that Delta is equitable to everyone who travels with us, does not allow for ANY compensation with regard to my return flights (July 13th - 14th 2008), and while my baggage claim is being looked into, there is nothing we can add to what has already been stated... we have no basis on which to grant (any request I might have)... (this is) our final review. Any additional correspondence will be kept on file.
June 30th - Missed 1 day of Military training due to airlines mechanical issues and spent the time in the airport with no food and limited beverages (only the water fountain). July 14th - Missed 1 day of work due to flight cancellation due to airlines mechanical issues and spent over 6 hours in the airport or in line with no food and limited beverages (only the water fountain) and no way to contact meeting party in the states. July 15th, 2008 - Missed additional 1 day of work due to flight cancellation due to airlines mechanical issues and spent the previous evening having flights delayed and cancelled and agents refusing to provide assistance, and ignoring pleas for information concerning baggage.
July 17th, 2008 - Received nearly destroyed luggage (Suitcase was recently purchased for 70EUR and now is unusable). July 19th, 2008 - Visit to the emergency room for treatment for sinus infection, pink eye, severe cold, and general exhaustion, all a result of the return travel string of incidents.
Kathleen of Satellite Beach, Fl FL (08/10/08) I am a Delta Platinum flyer. I was flying from London Heathrow to JFK in New York on Delta Ft 4 on August 1. We experienced 3 mechanical delays, 1 weather delay, 1 diversion, 3 crew changes (who were not available any time soon), and two refuels. Elapsed time to New York was 24 hours. For the first 20 hours we were not allowed off the plane. Indeed the flight crew told us we would be thrown in jail if we attempted to get off the plane because we were not citizens (having not cleared customs). We spent 4 hours on the tarmac at Heathrow and 7 in Boston.
When they finally let us off the plane in Boston there was no one from Delta to advice us. 2.5 hours later someone showed up but the had no idea when we would be leaving. They also told us if we ended the trip in Boston we were on our own. When we got to NY at 3:30 am we waited in line for an hour to get 400 Delta dollars and a chit for a scary hotel.
I was supposed to stay in NY for a day after I arrived to visit with family, however that trip was aborted. I had a separate ticket to get me from NY to my destination (cost $489). I was also exhausted for the entire week and found myself getting edgy in confined areas. When I wrote to Delta about the lack of fairness in the amount we were compensated: they replied that they had to respectfully decline my request. I have gone out of my way for years to fly Delta and I thought my request was really fair.
I was cheated out of a trip to NY due to problems of Delta's making - 3 m3chanical failures. I'll do my best to avoid Delta in the future.
Dan of Cincinnati OH (08/06/08) For an upcoming business trip I booked a direct flight to Atlanta, GA. On 7/16/07 I purchased a Delta ticket at a cost of $1,088.80. My trip had to be postponed and on 8/1/08 I cancelled the flight with a telephone call to Delta Customer Service. It was my understanding from after my conversation with the representative that I had 1 year from the date of that cancellation to use or lose the ticket.
On 7/23/08 I called to have the ticket reissued. I was informed that I was mistaken and my ticket was 1 week expired and the $1,088.80 lost. At the telephone representative's suggestion, I emailed Customer Service. I received seemingly automated responses in which I was thanked for my email and told there is nothing they can do. They did however, pat themselves on the back with the statement, The airline industry is very competitive, and the support of our customers is important to the lasting success of our company. Our goal is to consistently provide a quality product, and we are sorry we did not meet your expectations.
Its a wonder they are in financial distress. Although it may have been my misunderstanding, one would expect something more especially for a frequent flyer who exclusively uses Delta for all business and personal air travel. Unfortunately, in Cincinnati, we have virtually no choice in airlines, Delta pretty much holds a monopoly at CVG. away. I do question if Delta is guilty of an anti-trust law.
$1,088.80 lost to my company.
Antonina of Deer Park NY (07/31/08) Delta Flight# 161 Milan to New York canceled without notice-
scheduled date July 28, 2008
They changed our departing day to July 29,2009
Air France-Flight# AF 2415 from Milan to France- CDG : 7:15 AM.
Staid at the France airport until 7:50 PM.
Air France-Flight# AF 004 left from France to New York from 9:00 PM. and arrived to New York local time 10:30 PM. Once arrived, they lost one of our luggage. Delivered July 30 at 11:45 PM. with missing items.
Morgan of Wichita KS (07/31/08) My husband, my six month old and, I were flying from CHS to ICT. It is only a 4 hour trip with one connection in Atlanta. My husband absolutely had to be at work the next day. Knowing that there were flight delays in Atlanta the Delta plane flying from CHS rolled out onto the runway and sat there for an hour. They wouldn't let us get off. Finally, we flew into Atlanta but we has missed our connection. Then started the absolute worse experience of my entire life.
I stood in a Delta customer service line for almost an hour with a screaming six month old just to be told that we needed to go get a hotel for the night but we couldn't get our luggage that had all of our baby's things in it. They also told us that even though they made us wait an hour on the runway that we had to pay for the hotel because it was weather related. They booked us on a connection at 7:30 a.m. They gave us a voucher for a hotel with cribs because our baby's bassinet had been checked. We ran as fast as we could to the hotel shuttle but could not get on because there were hundreds of people trying to get on and they kept shoving us out of the way. I started to break down in tears because at this point it was 11:10p.m.
We were suppose to arrive in ICT at 10:30p.m. A sweet airport employee finally took pity on us, let us skip in line, and then help us hail a cab big enough for my baby's car seat. After an expensive ride, we arrived at the (crappy) hotel. We gave them our voucher and they said they would send a crib up to our room. At 12:45 my husband called the front desk and we were informed that they had three cribs for the entire hotel and they were all being used. We barely slept trying to keep the baby from rolling off the bed. We were emotionally and physically drained. We both broke down in tears after putting the baby to bed.
I have never been treated so badly in my life. It really was like nobody at Delta cared at all that we were traveling with an infant. He is six months old! He doesn't need to be shuffled around Atlanta at 12:00 at night. We caught the 4:30 shuttle because the clerk warned us that tons of people would be on the later ones. So we avoided another $15 cab ride. We made our connection and finally arrived in Wichita at around 10:45a.m.
Delta refuses to pay any of our expenses. I will never, EVER fly Delta again. I fly twice a year and I always flew Delta but if this is the way they treat their customers then they can take the Biscoff and shove it! I'd rather pay $150 more for a Continental ticket than speak to one more of Delta's Indian costumer service representatives.
Around 9:00 p.m. the day we arrived in Wichita our luggage was finally returned to us but one bag and it's contents were damaged. The results of that are still pending. We incurred more than $150 worth of extra expensive between extra food, the hotel, and the cab ride, and an extra day of long term parking fees. My husband is in the military and although he informed his supervisor of Delta's screw up, he came dangerously close to being considered MIA. He was given a letter of counsel which stays on his record for the next six months.
Emelita of Long Beach NY (07/29/08) First my flight was delayed for 4 hrs. and we were on the tarmac for 2 hours. This was on the flight to DC. Then the flight to JFK was cancelled 2X and I was booked for the flight the NEXT AM! And the only way I knew was through a message on my cell phone!! I finally was able to get a standby seat but of course my bag never got to NY. Now it is 2 days later and I still have not gotten my bag and they cannot or will not tell me when it will be delivered.
The call center the baggage cpmplaints are routed to are not much help and the person I talked to was talking to had an attitude problem and was not at all sympathetic!! I am so mad and frustrated and I will never fly Delta again!
I have to go to JFK to pick up my bag because God only knows when Delta will get around to delivering it. And the clerk at the baggage counter promised they would delver it as soon as they got it which was 2 days ago.
Kevin of Massapequa NY (07/28/08) My wife and I booked a round trip flight from NY JFK to Antigua (ANU) since February 2008 for a 1 week vacation as part of a package with Sandals. We had our seats selected and confirmed online and arrived at the airport within the required time frame you recommend on their website. While waiting on line we kept getting bumped by check-in attendants calling people ahead of us, they came in after we did. We became alarmed when 8am reached and we were still not attended to. We had been waiting in queue for over an hour. We got the attention of one of your attendants to say that our flight was leaving at 8:40am and all she could muster was a nonchalant you're going to miss your flight.
Naturally, we started complaining to no one in general because we noticed that many of your custermers were having issues of their own, further delaying our check in. Finally we were called to a check in desk and were told that we were not going to be allowed on the flight. This was 8:10 am. Forty minutes before our flight would leave. the attendant confirmed by calling the gate and though I couldn't hear what was being whispered I knew that something was not right. We simply refused to take no for an answer after which the lead person/manager came over to help us but did not do so with any sense of urgency. Instead, she proceeded to speak with the people next to us who i assure you did not have a greater deal of urgency than us. She did not address us with any courtesy, neither did she anounce who she was. I took offence to her condecending tone and body language.
Needless to say it made us more unhappy when she would not give us suscint answers. Miss Natasha Marcella I believe was her name. My wife and I have unfortunately lost 3 days of our vacation not to mention added cost in booking a last minute alternate flight because we couldn't get a flight until Wednesday and this is not a direct flight. I preferred to cut my losses and book the next flight out. A drop in the bucket my voice may seem but I assure you that I will do my best to avoid their services and labor at convincing others I know to follow suit. Something must be done to audit associates and their work moral.
I hope we would receive a courtesy email response, if atleast to get the satisfaction that someone sypathized with us or atleast read this email. Dissatisfied customer, lost 3 days of a 7 day pre-paid vacation with Sandals resort. Paid an addition $1,244 for new flights plus taxi fares etc.
Barry of New York NY (07/28/08) This is the last time I am going with DELTA. I went from a 7 hour simple flight day to a 21 hour frastration. Both of my flights got delayed for hours. The first flight delay I had to stand on line for 3 hours to get information and a new connection. My second flight got delayed for 2 hours and that still wasn't enough time to get my baggage to the plane? When I can't think of anything worse, my baggage got lost somewhere. This shows the importance of [their] customer and their baggage. I couldn't make my business appointment with my business plans(which is in the baggage) this morning and I have lost out on a $2 million business contract all because of DELTA.
I also notice that my flight wasn't the only flight being delayed. So are every other DELTA flights. And where are those survey at the end of the flight? They only hand those in when the flight is on schedule. But they never hand those out when [their] flight is delayed for hours. Why? So [they] don't have to hear about customer's complaints and frastrations? That is just so wrong. DELTA is poorly managed and don't put customer first. This is the end of my jorney with this lousy airline. I will be posting this same complaint email to all the web forums out there who are doing the same on DELTA.
a full day of frastration and lost of my baggage.
Steve of Royal Palm Beach FL (07/28/08) I had a nonstop flight from Boston to West Palm Beach leaving at 7:00 AM. We actually left on time. About 15 minutes into the flight we returned to Boston. The pilot informed us there was no oil pressure in both engines. Later I overheard the pilot speaking on his radio on the breezway that the caps were not put back on when the the oil was changed, and therefore it leaked-out. Delta then had a new plane pulled-out for us to fly and would be leaving at 8:50 AM. Well that's not too bad.
Then that flight got cancelled, for no apparent reason. Everyone scurried and waited for hours to get new flights. The staff kept us un-iformed and were rude. I ended-up taking a flight to Lagurdia at 10:30. Then had to be bused to the main terminal. I then had to take a flight that didn't leave NY until 4:10. This flight only took me to Ft. Lauderdale. My wife had to drive to Ft.L and pick me up. Delta was rude. They made no attempt to get us on another airline. I couldn't stay another day in Boston as they offered. etc. I finally got home at 8:00 PM, when I should have been home at 9:30 AM.
I was emotionally and physically exhausted. But also the fear and of knowing that because Delta hires idiots to change the oil. We could have been killed, all because of stupidity, compounded with Delta's rudeness, and no effort to accomodate it's passengers in any fashion.
Virginia of Bethesda MD (07/22/08) On Sunday, July 13, our 2:45 PM flight from Atlanta to Washington/BWI was first delayed for 2 hours, then boarded and sat on the tarmac for more than 4 hours, then we were told to get off and wait at the gate for another 2 hours, and then were told that the flight was cancelled -- not because of any problems with the plane but because Delta could not locate another flight crew in their headquarters hub of Atlanta.
Within 15 minutes of telling us this, Delta boarded the same plane and flew it to New York city! Now after 11 PM, we had to wait in huge, huge lines to reschedule our flight, with the earliest flight available not until Tuesday. Delta provided no information at all to those waiting in line, and had minimal staff for rescheduling. They even closed down one line we had been waiting in.
At 2 PM we had to try to find a hotel in fully booked Atlanta. We were totally stranded in Atlanta. ---How is it possible that Delta in its Atlanta headquarters was not able to have some extra pilots and staff available? Have they fired too many of them to maintain a stable operation? How is it possible that Delta could not have set some priorities for its flights, by letting the Washington-bound passengers return to fly on the plane they had spent all that time on?!
We incurred many extra costs, lost work time and commitments, and incredible emotional and physical stress. Two full days in limbo.
Alonso of Bogota OTHER (07/18/08) I was on the same Delta flight 31 (07/13/08) as Karen of Rockport ME (07/16/08) and suffered the same ordeal as her, except that I did wait for the La Guardia flight. Therein lied further Delta surprises for us. First, the bus left us at the the wrong terminal in LaGuardia, so the whole gang had to take an extra shuttle to make it to the Maritime terminal where the Logan flights leave from. Additionally, we had been told that there would be a 10:30 AM flight, only that when we got there it was cancelled. So all in all we had to endure THREE cancellations. We did finally make it on an 11:30 flight. Total time, thanks to Delta, from my hotel in NY to my hotel in Boston was 24 hours.
I was also witness to the incompetence and rudeness of the Delta employees at JFK throughout the whole situation. For instance, when I told a Delta representative that our baggage was left unattended in the baggage claim area, he responded that that was my problem, not his or Delta's. Outrageous (and ironic too, with the PA system constantly reminding us of not leaving bags unattended).
$190 for no-show at hotel in Boston. Missed one day of a conference.
Karen of Rockport ME (07/16/08) I arrived for a flight to Boston on July 13 only to be told that I was late because the time on my printed ticket was wrong. After some effort, I was told to go to the gate for the slightly earlier flight which I did. Arriving there I was denied boarding and then rescheduled for the 4:26 flight. After boarding that plane, we sat for a while waiting for the broken (dead the pilot said) tug to be removed and the plane pushed back from the gate. We taxied toward the runway. The pilot announced that there was a change of runways which would cause a delay.
Four hours later, we were told that we had been 70th for take off but something changed and we might be moved up. As we were on an active taxiway we were confined to our seats for the entire wait. We were informed that we would have to go back to the gate as there was not enough fuel to fly. We then sat on the plane waiting , we were told, for a 'gate agent' to come to tell us our options. Next we disembarked and we told to see the gate agent.
NO such person was in the gate area. We were told by the personnel there that it was the tower's fault and they were going to refuel the plane and we were definatly' still scheduled. After some time we were then told the flight was cancelled and we had to go to the ticketing area for new reservations. It was now about 11:30 PM. The food concessions were closed. There were 5 people in the ticketing area. Three chewed gum and were rude and unhelpful when passengers asked questions, saying not my job, I don't know, lady One woman worked to get people tickets or boarding passes. Another person worked a little, taking one passenger then disappeared for ten minutes; Came back and took another, disappearing again. This went on until about 2 AM.
The three gum chewers continued to be rude and did nothing but sit around joking. After having been told the luggage could not be retrieved for six hours, someone went to the luggage area and found the luggage from our flight sitting in the luggage retrieval area. After getting boarding passes for the 6:30 flight on Monday morning, we proceeded to that gate. After the first two zones were boarded, there was an odd delay and then an announcement that the flight would be delayed as they had no pilot. Followed shortly afterwards with an announcement that the flight was cancelled and they would try to find us alternative reservations maybe out of La Guardia.
My husband and I decided to opt out, take the AirTrain to a rental car agency and drive the 9 hours home. We had at that point spent 54 hours traveling , 18 hours of which were in JFK , 5 hours inside an airplane where we had been given two small bottle of water and one small bag of peanuts. All of this might just be a saga of modern day travel but for the abuse of being kept in confinement and treated abusively by arrogant, nasty employees who clearly have no regard for their clients.
I watched agents tell people You are on the wrong line, go to that line When the person said I've been in line for an hour, the answer was 'Nothing I can do about that, you need to go to that line. I watched a woman try to get information on how to get to another airport for a Delta flight and was told What am I supposed to do about that? A Spanish speaking group had to use someone standing on line to translate How many bags are you checking? and Have the bags been in your possession..? etc.
Extra cost about $ 300.00 for car rental, gas and tolls and risking our lives driving in a fatigued state. I will never fly Delta nor go through JFK Airport again. I will tell anyone who will listen that they are the worst company I have ever dealt with.
Patricka of Paterson NJ (07/15/08) On the 31 of may 2008 I was suppose to leave the united states on Delta airline to arrive at Miami to get on to air Jamaica to visit my country. On arriving at the airport at 5 in the morning to catch my flight I went up to the check in desk handed them my passport and in reply she told me that Miss Williams I am sorry to inform you but you wont be able to travel today because your passport expires in 3months and it needs to be six months prior to my traveling time.
she then inform me that I need to go to my consulate for an extension. that day was a Saturday so I had to wait the whole weekend. went to my consulate for the extension where he then inform me that I didn't need one. We then called the airline and they put me on a flight and promised to pay all expenses because it was there mistake. But they did not fulfill there promise. So once again I didn't get to take my flight home.
The physical damage that took place was that I missed my aunt's wedding on the 31st of May and I also missed my cousin graduation.
Dr of Oxford OTHER (07/15/08) My wife and I were booked to fly on 10th July, 2008 on Delta flight DL4316 from Pittsburgh to London Heathrow, with a stop-over at New York JFK to change to Flight DL1. The time allowed for the stop-over was fifty minutes; i.e. arrival at JFK 2005; departure, 2055. When we checked in at Pittsburgh, the flight was advertised as 'on time'. Hoever, a delay occurred, due to controls over JFK. The flight eventaully arrived at JFK well after the departure time for DL1.
We notified the flight attendant on DL 4316 fo the approaching problem. She told us there was a BA flight later in the evening that we might catch. However, when we reported to the Delta desk at JFK, we were told that that was not a possibility. The best they could do was to book us in on DL3 to Heathrow departing at 08.50 a.m. on the following day, 11th July. We ahve found the daytime west-east trans=Atlantic flight to involve unacceptable jetlag, and avoid it. We had no alterantiv, however,e but to accept this arrangement.
However, we are pensioners and did not wish to sit up all night in the airport. We asked for accommodation. This entailed stayoing at the Ramada Inn at JFK overnight, at a cost of US$150 and having a modest supper there for US$60. The Delta airlines representaives were courteous, but insisted that the airline bore no financial repsonsibility for the missed connection. My view has been that the issuing of a scheduled ticket is a form of contract and it is the moral responsibility of the airline to honor it. I therefore ask for re-imbursement of US$210, TOGTHER WITH A NOTIONAL SUM FOR THE CONSIDERABLE INCONVENIENCE INCURRED BY MY WIFE AND MYSELF.
US$210 IN ACCOMMODD]ATION AND SUBSISTENCE; LOSS FO SLEEP ETC., DUE TO EXACERBATED JET LAG ON ARRIVEAL.
Kenneth of Pierceton IN (07/14/08) I was on Delta flight 176 7/13/08 last night and experienced a difficult thing and a first for me. We were already delayed several times getting into Atlanta which is simply part of flying now, but when we reached Atlanta we were trapped in our plane for over an hour waiting for a gate. I don't know what happens at that point but the air conditioning no longer worked and it was rather hot to say the least.OK I can live with that but 10 to 15 minutes into the wait a young man probably between 7 and 10 years of age was in a difficult possition as he approached the bath room(we haven't moved in 10 minutes) he was told to return to his seat. Not but 5 minutes later an adult approached and used the restroom with no problem. several minutes later a lady with 2 small children were denied the use of the restroom, now the young man behind me is crying along with several others. You thiink that maybe one could use a little common sense on this. They are having a problem and it created another for the passengers.
OK it gets better now we finally get off the plain in a mad dash for the restrooms. I find a guy THOMAS W. Heidorf to be exact and tell him the story, I'm not mad at this point but concerned, Thomas on the other hand was not concerned as his responce was with laughter as he thought it was very funny. OK now I ask what was so funny about young children suffering and he said to deal with it there was nothing that could be done and laughed again with his buddy. I asked for his name as I knewq at this point I was going to tell some one about this it just was wrong as wrong could be and there was no concern at all for their customers. I took his name and went on my way to go sit down and wait, keep in mind that no names or loud voices or anything have occurred nor did they ever, but all the sudden a tap on my shoulder and here is Thomas w. Heidorf again asking for my ticket as if he were going to help me but what happens, yes he did, He ripped my ticket up and tells me that I will be arrested if any thing else happens.
I think for a moment and simple said sir am I going to be able to get on my plain or am I waiting for nothing, if so I would gladly get a rentle car and drive home in the morning. This really angered Thomas I think because I would not get mad enough for him to do anything. I found a seat and waited as I looked in my pocket I relized that I had given him the boarding pass that allowed me to get to Atlanta in the first place and while talking to others like Sharon and John that I met our gate was changed so I walked with them to that gate and never seen Mr. Heidorf again and my boarding pass that I still had worked.
We were 4 hours late getting home but it sure was good to get there. I've never seen anything like this but I will tell everyone about it that I can and This will not happen to again as I will never give them this oppurtunity again. I hope that Thomas W. Heidorf and Delta airlines would have the manners to call and work this out but I'm sure Me and the others that gave me their names and numbers that watched the whole thing are just customers that delta doesn't need anyways thankyou for having a place to worn others.
Nothing my bag was actually there when I arrived.
Robin of Harker Heights TX (07/14/08) I brought 4 tickets for my sister and three young chijldren to fly from LaGuardia NY to Austin TX. Well when my family landed in ATL after being delayed for an hour they found out there flight was cancelled. We spoke to several customer service representatives that told us there was nothing they could do but give us another flight on Tuesday. That would have been great if it wasn't Sunday, and two of the children are special needs. My family and I tried to explain this to the delta reps who in return told us after 5 hours we can get you on a flight for Monday, just three of the passengers can go on Monday and the 4th passenger could fly on Tuesday.
I found that to be very disturbing because the passenger they suggest come in by himself on Tuesday is my 9 year old son who is on e of my special needs children. I told the attendant that that is impossible and she said well somehow your reservation was split and your 9 year old son is not on the same reservation as the rest of your family members. I asked how could this be when they all flew from NY together on the same reservation. I was given an I don't know I then asked to speak with someone who could answer my questions and I was told that there was no one there that could answer my questions.
I am amazed at the lack of professionalism from an airline carrier that has been in business this long. Needless to say my family is stuck in Atlanta GA on a Sunday and will not be able to leave until Tuesday. My two special needs children have to stay in an airport for 48 hours because of lack of standards and professionalism.
My sister is a diabetic and was not able to get to her insulin so she became ill. And no one at the Delta counters were willing to assist us in getting access to her bags
Jonathan of Atlanta GA (07/14/08) I went to the airport at 10:00 this morning for a noon flight. I fly twice a month generally and Delta is by far the most consistently worse when flying out of Atlanta. Today, after a flight cancellation and three flight delays, I left to go home. I have been on hold with delta's re-booking agent 30 minutes before leaving the airport, and I am still on hold an hour later at home while I am writing this message.
I spent 10 hours at the airport today,2 hours of which was on hold not including this call. I stood for three and half hours in a line that spanned across 16 gates for which there were only three delta re-booking agents serving five plane-loads worth of people. I am missing a conference that other people flew in for and I was supposed to speak at. It is one thing to have delays. That is inevitable. Handling it such a manner is incredibly unprofessional. That was the last time I fly Delta
Ed of Dallas TX (07/12/08) I recently reserved a round trip flight from Dallas to San Salvador, El Salvador The flight coming in was fine, the one coming back turned into a nightmare. I arrived at the San Salvador airport approximately one hour before departure time. There had been torrential rains the night before and so there were some delays on the way to the airport. When I arrived at the check-in counter I was told by the rep the counter closes one hour before departure.
After explaining my situation and I was told by the represetantive that a supervisor would only be available only until after the flight had departed and there was nothing I could do excpet change my departure date and pay an exhorbitant $283 fee. I again explained there was still plenty of time to board the flight especially since I had one carry on luggage and I am frequent Delta customer. Additionally I had offered my seat seat up on a different flight with Delta and accomodated an overbooked flight. ( Needless to say like many on this board the voucher I was given was never honored and my letter to their customer care department about the matter was not even acknowledged!) All these things did not matter, no one budged. I was going to be prevented from boarding the flight and was going to have to pay the fee.
The supervisor appeared after the flight had left and I promised her I would not use Delta again. Luckily I had time to travel back to Dallas using first class tourbuses from El Salvador through Mexico. Apart from the obvious (a very long ride) the ride was very comfortable with fully reclinable seats and I made it back in 2 1/2 days. I travelled though Guatemala and Mexico and not one cent was paid in bribes. To top it off the customer service I experienced was beyond anything Delta could promise. My total cost coming back was $200. I will be writing a letter to Deltas customer care team only as a formality really. I will file a complaint with the BBB and if this matter is ignored once again, I will be contacting media outlets here and in El Salvador to expose this unethical practice.
$200 dollars paid 2 1/2 days on buses prevented from boarding my flight and required to pay an extortive fee.
Tran of Greenville SC (07/12/08) My mother in law, baby and I were taking the 3:00PM flight to Las Vegas from GSP (Greenville-Spartanburg, SC) airport on 06/28/2008. To save check-in time, I did check in via internet and couldnt print my boarding pass due to my printer was broken. When we arrived at the airport around 2:30 PM and were like a 4 minutes short of check in our luggage.
The lady at the DELTA baggage check in counter (her name is Carolyn) wouldn't check it in as it was too late, according to her to check in the bag. I almost saw her eyes gleam with delight. She was purposely hold us back by giving us a 15 minutes lecture about get to the airport early. At that time I had no time to argue with her. I told her that I dont want to check in the bags anymore so that I could catch my flight. She turned around with cold face and told us that I couldnt go to the gate because I only had 15 minutes left before departure time. I couldnt re-schedule my flight and had to purchased 2 new tickets. If Carolyn was willing to help us, I wouldn't lose my $750. DELTA customer service is VERY bad. I would never flight with Delta again
Horst of Belmont MA (07/08/08) Before boarding flight 5038, delayed by 30 minutes, we were told that the on-board toilet does not work and we should use the terminal restroom. On board we found that the air conditioning system worked only through equipment on the ground. The pilot announced a weather related hold time at RDU of 60 min. which required to move the aircraft from the gate to the Tarmac. There we found that the on-board A/C did not work and we were sitting in a closed plane with outside temperatures of around 95 Fahrenheit. Note, there are past legal precedents with a negative outcome for airlines.
After 90 min from scheduled departure we took off, circled due to thunderstorms at BOS and finally landed at 20:00 at White Plains/ Westchester Regional Airport for refueling, where we were let off the plane. At 21:00 we re-boarded to be told of minor problems that would be fixed with a promise to deliver us to BOS. At 22:00 the pilot informed us that all fixes were complete, however the Copilot had timed out, thus the flight was cancelled, and we left the plane again. The COMAIR crew did not make any attempt to assist us in planning what to do next: they dumped us into the unknown without further instructions. ( It appeared that they took off quickly after they dumped us, presumably for RDU their home base).
White Plains airport is small and not served by DELTA. The local manager was about to close the airport and was ill equipped to assist about 50 passengers. He informed us that there were no hotel rooms close by, that his call for a bus remained unanswered and that the airport would be closed to all people in due time. A few rental car companies were still open, but were about to close also. We joined with a couple, rented a car and left 23:00 for BOS, where we dropped the rental, and picked up our cars, at 03:00 in the morning It should be noted that several mothers with children together with other passengers were completely stranded at White Plains.
According to the airport manager, there were no flights to BOS, and the COMAIR crew did not indicate that they would send a plane soon or the next day to assist the stranded passengers. The manager spoke of substantial detours to reach BOS, presumably to be paid by the stranded passengers who had nothing in their possession but their boarding passes. So far the facts.
While I reserve the right to seek future legal action, citing a malicious break of contract to deliver us to our destination I request from the leadership of DELTA/COMAIR a formal explanation and apology for two facts, the knowingly faulty equipment being used and the reckless dumping of passengers into an airport where there were no DELTA nor other services. Also, I formally request reimbursement of my rental car expenses.
Had to rent a car, arrived early in the morning at destination, and slept only 2 hours before an important, decision making meeting. Requested refund of rental car cost, road tolls and gas used.
John of Pleasantville NY (07/06/08) I was not aware of the $100 EACH WAY surcharge until getting to the ticket counter (after the round trip ticket was paid in full). I had actually checked out a cheaper American flight but they informed me of charge. After making the reservation with Delta and being informed of the cost, no mention was ever made of the extra $100 each way. I wrote a complaint to Delta whos boilerplate response was that it was standard operating policy to decline waiver of this fee.
Although I informed Delta at time of purchase of the minor and they took down all contact information about who would meet her at the dest airport, no mention was ever made of an additional charge upping the ticket price by over 60%. Nothing on the itenerary even mentioned this charge. Delta took no responsibility for their poor communication and SOPs. I will always look to alternative airlines and not fly Delta in my future travels.
$200
Tolga of Istanbul OTHER (07/04/08) We missed our plane in LAX on 30 June 2008 while we were waiting for check in. Although we came to airport 75 minutes prior to our flight, we could not complete our check in since there were two desk operating and there was a long que. Although we have applied to the operating desks by-passing the cue, we were declined and forced to be waited in the que in a very rude manner.
Within the working two check in desks, they serve people min 20 min. Finally we reached the operating desks but they refused complete our check in sice we have 40 min left. We were only given a choice to buy tickets for the next day which costed us usd 450 (our total ticket fee was usd 596). We pay usd 150 for the ticket fare and usd 300 penalty. We were penalized unfairly. Also we had to pay a no-show fee to the Hotel which we made rezervation in Seattle. We had another flight to europe following date this caused us too much stress.
550$, stress to cath the connecting flight, sleppless night
Tolga of Istanbul OTHER (07/04/08) We missed our plane on 30 June 2008 while we were waiting for check in. Although we came to airport 75 minutes prior to our flight, we could not complete our check in since there were two desk operating and there was a long que. Although we have applied to the operating desks by-passing the cue, we were declined and forced to be waited in the que in a very rude manner. Within the working two check in desks, they serve people min 20 min.
Finally we reached the operating desks but they refused complete our check in sice we have 40 min left. We were only given a choice to buy tickets for the next day which costed us usd 450 (our total ticket fee was usd 596). We pay usd 150 for the ticket fare and usd 300 penalty. We were penalized unfairly. Also we had to pay a no-show fee to the Hotel which we made rezervation in Seattle. We had another flight to europe following date this caused us too much stress.
550$, stress to cath the connecting flight, sleppless night
Vishal of Cincinati OH (06/29/08) i have a connecting flight from cincinnati to newark at 4:40 pm 28 jun. i have main flight from newark to delhi at 8:30 pm. My flight delat from cincinanti to newark is delyaed from 4:40 pm to 7:15pm, due to which i was not able to board my flight from newark to delhi. Now delta airlines in not even compensating me for a day. My next flight is after one day. I want delta should provide me accomodation and food.
Chris of Chino CA (06/25/08) Purchased roundtrip tickets LAX to MZT, Mexico. On the return flight Delta employees shut the check-in counter early to ensure that two employees on standby would be ensured seats on the 50 passenger plane to back LAX. after tracking down a Delta employee he wasn't able to board wife and myself with over an hour before the flights scheduled depature. The employee and his Supervisor (Jesus Cardenas) were also unable to reschedule a flight within the next two days and were going to charge for the flight back to LAX and make me pay penalty. The were not willing to pay anything, I ended up buying two tickets from Alaska Air to come back home for $720.
I paid an extra $720 to fly back home. After paying Delta $943 for roundtrip tickets, which we only used half of. I wouldn't want anything except my money back from Delta for the flight I was not given the chance to take, due to their employees lack of customer service.
Olga of Canton OH (06/12/08) Last year I was traveling from Moscow to Cleveland on July 26th 2007. I am a student and also a teaching assistant at the international program at the University. I was supposed to be there on July 26th. My adventure started in Moscow when it took Delta representatives almost a half hour to search my baggage. In my bag, I had a bottle of honey and some medicine prescribed by a doctor. They took these bottles for the expertise and I had to wait. Everybody behind me in a line got on the plane. When they finally let me go to check in my baggage, a delta representative told me that it was too late ad I could not get on a plane because it was leaving in 20 minutes! I panicked and started crying, I didnt know what to do. I asked the representatives of Delta to help me, but they footballed me around from one person to another.
Finally, they told me that there was a ticket available for the next days flight for almost twice as much as I had paid for my own ticket. I didnt have that sum of money, I started crying again and bagging for help. Finally, they told me that I had to pay $200 for next days flight in addition to $900 that I had already paid for the flight I couldnt get on! It was the only option I could choose from, so I paid! Because I didnt have a place to stay in Moscow (I am a student and cannot afford paying for a hotel in Moscow), I had to spend a night in the airport. Next day I finally got on the plain. I had a connecting flight from N.Y. Kennedy to Cleveland. When I arrived at the Kennedy airport in New York, my connecting flight to Cleveland was cancelled until the next day because of the weather conditions. As it was not their fault Delta didnt provide a hotel, and I had to spend another night in the airport!
Next day I had to go to Newark to catch my connecting flight to Cleveland. In Newark I found out that my flight was cancelled again because of some technical problems and they reregistered me for a flight to Atlanta so that I could catch a connecting flight to Cleveland from Atlanta. I got on board for my flight to Atlanta. When I arrived to Atlanta, my flight was late. I ran as fast as I could with a heavy hand-bag to catch the flight to Cleveland. There were several people running with me, but it was late anyway, the plane had already taken off. It was 10:00 pm. I was exhausted, dirty, stressed, and hysterical. I started crying again, because it was beyond my physical and moral capacities.
When I came to a Deltas representative, they rescheduled my flight to Akron (instead of Cleveland) for the following day and finally game me a room in a hotel. This time I spent a night in a hotel. As most of the rooms were already taken, they gave me a smoking room, and I dont smoke. It was absolutely terrible! I couldnt sleep normally and was suffocating with coughing all night. Next day I finally got on a plane and came to Akron. It was July 29th. I had missed a very important meeting on July 27th. On July 30th I was supposed to start teaching.
During that trip from Moscow to Akron I lost around 10 pounds. My stomach was messed up because of eating fast food. I was stressed and depressed. More than that, I got sick with bronchitis. I couldnt work and study effectively. It took me more than two months to get back to my normal condition. But because I lost almost half of the semester being sick and depressed, I could not catch up on. I was supposed to graduate in December, but I could not finish my exit work on time, so I had to ask for the extension. I only defended my thesis in May, 2008. I WILL NEVER FLY with Delta again!
$200 that I had to pay in Moscow so that Delta could put me on the next-day flight. I still have soumach problems and pain in the back.
Andrew of San Francisco CA (06/04/08) I planned a last minute trip to Halifax to attend a friends 40th birthday party through Expedia.com. The airline ticket I purchased would have had me arriving into Halifax at 9pm time and I had someone picking me up to take me to the party. I was going San Francisco-Cincinnati-Detroit-Halifax The first leg of my trip was Delta flight 1854 San Francisco to Cincinnati was on time. Unfortunately, the next leg of the trip Cincinnati to Detroit on Delta flight 1854 was not on time. When I arrived at the gate I was told the flight was delayed.
I waited about 20 minutes and then went back to find out if it was going to be able to make my final connecting flight from Detroit to Halifax. At this time I was told that I was rebooked to go from Detroit to Halifax the following day, as I would not be in time to catch the next leg of my flight, Delta flight 6874. I told the customer service rep that this wouldnt work, that I needed to be in Halifax tonight or not at all. At this point they printed a ticket out for a 9pm flight back to San Francisco, obviously this didnt make me happy but I was told there were no other options into Halifax for that night so my options were non-existent. The ticket I was given said check in required so I went to the desk and they told me to just to return 1 hour before the flight.
So, now I had 5 hours to spend in the airport, I had left San Francisco at 630am, it made for a very long day for me, especially since I never did get to my destination. During my many hours at the airport a representative from Delta airlines called me and inquired as to why my ticket showed be going back to San Francisco. I explained to her the details and she apologized to me and confirmed with me that I was indeed on the 9pm back to San Francisco. At 8pm, 1 hour and 10 minutes before the flight to San Francisco was to leave, I went back to the gate and was told there was a problem, that I was not in fact booked on this flight and I had to go back to customer service to have it straightened out. I was at customer service about 30 minutes and they finally printed me out a ticket for the flight.
At this point I went back to the gate and tried to board the plane. I was in line and was called and told to come to the counter for an important message. The service desk that had just issued me the ticket was on the line to let me know that if I take this flight Delta has fulfilled their end of the deal. It goes without saying that after spending over 6 hours at the airport and making countless trips to the customer service desk, boarding gates and making calls to Delta that to wait until it was almost 9pm AND the flight was leaving AND there were NO other options for me, to JUST then being told that I was going to be screwed over was just the most appalling customer service I have ever experienced.
I actually feel I dealt with the delays and all pretty well, even after wasting the better part of a day of my life in Cincinnati airport and never getting to where I wanted to go. But at the eleventh hour for Delta to get around to telling me they were going to wash their hands of this whole flight if I wanted to go back homeI cannot and WILL NOT get over. I also had a hotel that was non-refundable that I spent $345.78 on that I am requesting you refund to me for your lack of fulfilling your obligation to get me to Halifax.
I was NOT looking for a free roundtrip ride to Cincinnati airport, I was paying $1500 to get to Halifax and back. I am also including the reservation from the Sheraton 4 Points hotel in Halifax that I paid for but was unable to use.
Jane of Evansville IN (06/03/08) I am writing again concerning our flight from St. Louis to Cancun, MX. We arrived a day early as to make our flight May 30, 2008. Upon arriving we checked in at the ticket desk, grabbed a breakfast snack and went to the security check in. Due to the fact that my husband has two artificial hips he was pulled to the side so he could personaly be checked. This took sometime for someone to come from the line so he could be patted down and again scanned with the hand held scanner. Due to his problem he is unable to walk very fast.
Our flight was at 7:25 am and we arrived at approximatley 7:20 with our boarding passes in our hand to board flight #0944. The boarding clerk looked at us with a discussed look and told us we were to late to board the plane (WHICH WAS STILL SITTING AT THE GATE AND THE BOARDING DOOR WAS STILL OPEN). (IS THERE NOT A PORCEDURE THAT A LAST CALL IS MADE IF SOMEONE HAS NOT BOARDED? WE HEARD SEVERAL BUT OUR NAME WAS NOT CALLED) She made a phone, call, I'm thinking maybe to the plane and went over and slammed the door and made another call to the ticket desk to let someone know that we would be up to make different arrangements for a different flight.
We went back up to the ticket desk, but there were no other flights going out that day to make connections to Cancun. The only thing they had for the next day was seats in first class which cost us $520.00 extra in addtion to what we had already paid Bookit.com for tickets. After paying for our tickets we had to call the hotel and see if they would have a room for us againg for another night, which they did and so they came back over to the airport and picked us up. This cost us another $44.88 for the room and another $8.00 for parking. (WE HAD TO SPEND AND ADDITIONAL $749.88) because of not only the slowness of the security department but the rudeness of the boarding clerk, and the fact that our flight was still sitting at the gate, not moving.
We are both retired and money is something we do not take lightly. We would appreciate compensation in the amount extra money we had to put out. The fact that ourcomplaint was put on the web, This is just not satisfactory. It would be greatly appreciated if we were compensated for the 2 first class tickets we had to pay for, our 1 night additional stay and parking for our automobile for an additional night and for the cost of $137.00 for the dinner cruise we missed because of arriving a day late, which was the day of the cruise.
The total amount is $749.88. As you responded to us by e-mail on May 13, 2009, you don't have to post this again, just a response from one of your staff about what your company will do about this problem. I, also, be sending a letter to the Better Busness Burea in Atlanta, as this seem to be the only way we were able to get a response from the booking department in Florida.
Yelena of Santa Clara CA (06/02/08) While using Delta I had the worst experience Ive ever had using any airline before. My 80-years old father and I were travelling from San Francisco To Budapest on May 2 . We departed on Flight 1 from SFO to JFK in time but arrived to New York 1 hour later due to weather conditions and from there our troubles began.
When we landed we still had 30 minutes to get to the connecting flight to BUD but we could get out of the plane only in 15 min., so we rushed to the connecting Gate to catch Flight 98 to Budapest. We reached it exactly at 7:15 but the plane already took-off. It didnt wait even a minute thought the flight attendants on our plane to JFK assured us that it would wait. Ok.
We ran to the transfer desk, people there were very, very slow, but finally we got stand-by tickets to Amsterdam and then transfer to BUD by Malev. Again we arrived to Amsterdam more than 1 hour late. And here the most outrageous happened. When we landed flight attendants announced that the passengers who go to BUD will be met by the representative at the exit door and will be taken by the cart to Malev gate.
When we exited the airplane, a very polite guy said the cart had left already (not waiting for all passengers to exit, and you remember I was with 80 years old) and recommended us to walk to Malev , assuring us the plain is waiting for us. Do you know how huge the Amsterdam airport is? It took us 15 minutes of very fast walking, almost running to reach Malev just to hear that the airplane had left already.
I wont write anymore how much time, effort and energy it took us to go back to Delta gate and then back to Transfer Desk and then to Malev gate. My father and I were exhausted, and almost fainting when we finally got on a plane to our final destination. It was not surprise; we didnt get our luggage after all. After several telephone calls from Budapest and US to Delta, finally we got our luggage on the next day in the evening.
To add more, the local plane from SFO to JFK and JFK to SFO was very uncomfortable. I got sick after the flight back home to SFO. In the future Ill try to avoid flying Delta as much as possible.
Emotional stress. had to purchase clothes before the luggage arrived.
Ileana of Satu-Mare OTHER (05/17/08) I was fliying by flight 098 from New York to Budapest on 16th May with my husband and all began wrong. I had to go and put my carry on far from my seat, being heart-sick I needed my medicine because others passengers occupied the carry on stall with bigger baggage and lap tops,the restroom was a bit uncomfortable and the toilet paper run out quickly, moreover the food was little. I m sorry ,this was my second flight by Delta ,the first was on 30th April but that one was pleasant.
[They] shouldn't let people with more than 1 bagagge on planes and as a rule they would have use only the bagagge-stall above their seats.Then [they] shouldn t let drunk people on planes because they disturb others with rude behaving arguing with the other passengers.One of these kind of man yelled to me ,not to put above him my bagagge, I didn t call for the flight attendant because I hate arguing with drunkers.
I haven t got any damages, only we had to endure the Hungarian drunk passengers but next time I will surely think of [not] to fly by [Delta] planes.
Danny of Edinburg TX (05/17/08) I and my wife and daughter took a flight from Santiago, Chile to Atlanta Georgia - flight DL 146 on May the 12th. My wife was seating by the window in seat 22G and my daughter in 22F by the aisle. I was seating by myself in 22E, which was also by the aisle across from my daughter. Which she is married and has three children and currently in marriage counseling. There was one male stewart's while serving food was flirting with my daughter and wife, later he returned to them and knelling in the floor at my daughter's seat and continued to talk and flirt. He did not know that I was the father and husband seating to his right side. Naturally, my anger continued to grow as they talked. I did make a little scene by moving him to one side and saying excuse me with a anger tone. I went to the restroom and I asked the stewardess. I thought that would solve the problem.
Shortly again, he came by and told her to meet him in 10 minutes. Knowing that I was in the economy section and thinking I was asleep. He met with my daughter later again in the first class kitchen where I or her was not even supposed to be allowed. I could not believe his defiance. After several hours, an Anglo stewards came and broke it up. She must of realized that I was upset when I also ask her what was his name. I do not excuse my daughter for her actions, but his actions was definitely unprofessional. I can't believe that Delta airlines would allow such actions of one of their employees on company time. I was extremely hurt by these actions while being on [this] airline.
Extreme family complications!
Hyewon of New York NY (05/14/08) I flew from JFK to LAX using Delta 605 on May 12, 2008. Even though my flight was supposed to leave JFK at 11:30, it took off at 1:30. Delaying is not new with Delta, so Ill just live with it. But what was not acceptable happened later on the plane. It was not just a bad service I am complaining about. It is my basic customers right and dignity that was violated when I was humiliated by the purserette of Delta 605. As everyone ever used Deltas domestic flights knows, their planes are really small. For this reason, there are only three restrooms on the planeone at the front, two at the back. Since first and business seats are located at front, almost 150 passengers in couch seats have to share these two bathrooms at the back. Not surprising there is always a long line. Since I am terribly airsick, it is always challenging to me to wait in line at the back of the flight. On Delta 605, I felt quite sick, so I had to use the bathroom immediately. So, I concluded that it should be better for me to use the bathroom at the front, which usually has shorter line. The bathroom was occupied, so I had to wait. Yes, in the first/business seat area.
But, about one second later, a flight attendant named Heather, who I believe to be the purserette given her red uniform, and who looked very upset with me for some reason, stood up and asked what I was doing there. I told her that I am waiting to use the bathroom. You cant stay here. Go back and wait behind the curtain,? she said with an offensive voice pointing her finger at me. I felt pretty insulted, but I did what I was told because I didnt want to bother other innocent passengers by confronting her. But, when a person from a business seat approached the restroom and stood there to wait for her turn, Ms. Heather did not told her that there is another person ahead of her as I expected. So, I stepped down and approached the front to let her know that I am in line. However, right at the moment I put my foot into the business seat area, she stood up again and told me with an even higher and more offensive voice Stay behind the curtain!?
I am not sure if Delta has policies that ban their couch seat passengers from stepping into first/business seat area even when they need to use the bathroom, or from using bathrooms before all first/business passengers finish their business with it. Even though there are some rules like this, which will be quite unacceptable, the purserette of Delta 605 didnt even bother to explain these policies to me in order to help me understand why I should not stay there to wait and use the restroom. Also, she didnt even bother saying please?, would you?, or any words and expressions that indicates that she was politely asking me to step back. She even refused to give me her name when I asked. I had to get her name by staring at her name tag.
It has been quite okay with me that Delta never leaves the airport on time or has never enough blankets or no pillows because I am quite used to it. If its the way they treat their passengers violating their right to be treated as respectable passengers when they are with a very offensive, condescending, and humiliating mannersI cant believe Delta will ever provide proper and needed services to any passenger it has. Does Deltas service discriminate people according to the colors of their skin, their ages, and seats they are sitting on? I guess that must be my last flight with Delta ever.
Kristin of Navarre FL (05/01/08) I had a puppy shipped as cargo from a reputable breeder that had a bad experience in the past about shipping a puppy with Delta. She was aprenhesive on using Delta because a puppy didn't connect the next flight in past experience. I too had the same problem. Only I tracked the flight have cell phone number/texting updated information. I get to the airport waiting on my puppy. I get a phone call 5 mins after flight landed and they did NOT get my puppy to the connecting flight. They took the puppy to the Pet Room NOT THE CONNECTING FLIGHT.....resulting in my puppy going to some country bumkin kennel subcontracted by Delta. DO NOT SHIP ANIMALS WITH DELTA!
I am requesting at least a 100% refund, plus the time, inconvenience, and gas spent. I will NOT except anything less. They had better hope my healthy puppy does NOT get sick or there will be a lawsuit.
Donnie of Brooklyn NY (04/29/08) My connecting flight was canceled around 5:30 on a Sunday evening. I was then shuffled around to a half dozen different gates over a 5 hour period asked to wait to see if I could get a flight. The flights weren't even going to my desintation- but 90 minutes out of my way. Yes flights are cancelled due to weather- but why are these passengers treated like lepers...no vouchers, no reimbursement. Hopefully I will get on a flight tomarrow, but no guarentees. Everything is overbooked.
I lost a day of work. I was in a plce probably worse than hell and airline,,,waiting at gates for 5 hours- and running to new gates (being told I could possibly get on that flight.) I am a fifty year old man. I feel wiped out after running around to gates in the airport all evening. RUDE Delta agents. i wish I could take a 24 hour train I paid for a direct flight- I didn't get that direct flight I eventually got a series of connecting flights.
Sharman of Tallahassee FL (04/14/08) I was scheduled to leave from LAX airport on Delta flight 74 to Atlanta at 8:45 AM, April 5, 2008.
I waited in line at baggage check-in
90 minutes prior to boarding. Their sign stated to be there 45 minutes ahead,
so I was there well ahead of schedule. Unfortunately, the only guy at baggage check-in moved at a snail's pace. I only had 4 people in front of me, so I was sure it would be fine.
By the time he got to me,he said he would have to take me inside. He had my ticket in his hand and disappeared behind a counter. About 15 or 20 minutes later he reappeared, led me to a phone, handed it to me, and said it was too late to get on my flight
as he walked away!
I then hung on the phone for another 10 minutes before someone finally came on.
When I booked another flight, I was told I would be charged an additional $549.00. They had me over a barrel.
My original flight was still on the ground!
After realizing I wouldn't be conned into a $100 voucher, finally, a lead agent at the Delta counter told me I would be reimbursed. But now Delta is refusing. I have attempted emailing Delta's customer service several times and always get a negative reply. To make matters worse, they left my baggage in Atlanta where I connected to another flight.There has got to be a way to be reimbursed for their errors and ineptness. If you can offer any help,
I would greatly appreciate it.
They charged me an additional $549. to get a flight home, when it was clearly their fault that I did not make my flight (I was there 90 min. before boarding!)
I had to call for a ride and stay an additional day in Los Angeles which cost me a fortune. Then they left my baggage in Atlanta where I caught a connecting flight.
Cheryl of Midlothian VA (04/02/08) It is no wonder there are so many complaints about the airline industry in general, my recent flights with DELTA were awful. I have never had a worse experience. Especially when we were to leave PUJ on 3/29 flight 242. My husband and I stood in line for over 3 hours, our plane was boarding and still no one took care of booking us on the flight (there were only two agents, and both were asleep on the job). If not for some very angry passengers, raising a ruckus, and us cutting through security, we would still be in PUJ. It is my understanding that there were families that had to grease some hands to get taken care of.
Not only were there problems at PUJ, when we reached Atlanta we sat on the tarmac for about two hours until a gate became available. We couldn't wait for our luggage to deplane since the bag belts were broken, we therefore just left them in Atlanta. We ran for our plane, and they closed the doors behind us. Our luggage was delivered to our home yesterday. I understand there is a problem with all the airlines, but the Delta agents were the worst. All the other Airline (i.e. American, Continental, ect.) passengers at PUJ, were booked on their planes without a hitch. Running for a plane is one thing, but running for two planes (I am a severe asthmatic) is unheard of.
Dan of Bay St Louis, MS (03/23/08) I stopped flying Delta about 3 yrs ago because of the poor customer service. Yesterday, I had a flight cancelled and was placed on a Delta flight from Raleigh to Gulfport/Biloxi. I can tell you nothing has changed. The flight attendants were rude, the flight was late leaving the gate, the toilet did not work and they lost my bag. I arrived at 10 pm and was told my bag would be delivered by 10 am the next morning. I was then told it would be delivered by 3:00 m and then told it would be delivered within 12 hrs. of when it was picked up by the courier service, which was 4:00 pm.
I finally called a woman named Lona, who described her lofty title as Baggage Floor Mgr and was told that Delta can hold a bag as long as they want and only have to deliver it within 12 hrs of when it is picked up by the courier. She then hung up on me. I have never seen ANY business as hostile toward its customers as Delta. I believe part of the reason is that the folks in the South have historically felt some type of regional loyalty to it. I am the exact type of customer most airlines want--I fly about once every three weeks, always first class and many international flights. Last year Delta probably lost about 150k in revenues just from me alone. I urge the flying public to speak with your pocket books and don't fly Delta.
Amber of Bend OR (02/24/08) Was given Delta Transportation Credit Vouchers after being on an over-booked flight and charging me an extra $55 for a piece of luggage that was lost and found and put on the flight after the initial baggage cutoff. I have tried to use the travel vouchers on many occasions, but each time I go to the airport to use them, the flights are $300+ more than their advertised fairs, and the vouchers are only worth $200. When I asked if I could book on line and then apply the vouchers, they said yes, but when I showed up a few hours later at the ticket counter, they refused to credit me the vouchers. I talked to three customer service reps and they offered no solution to vouchers. So, I'm actually the original $55 and the two trips to the airport, and I'm stuck with useless vouchers I will never use.
Ann of Cutchogue NY (02/20/08) My family and I were flying in and out of Portland, Maine, on our way to visit family. We left from JFK early on a Saturday morning. We were the only ones at the counter. The agent there even commented to us about it being so early and not crowded. When we arrived at Portland, we were missing one of our bags. We were told it would be on the next flight, and we could wait until it arrived or they would deliver it to us. We opted for the delivery. We were told we would have the bag by 5:00 pm then it was 9:00 am the next day. Then it was noon. The bag did arrive a bit after noon. We had to buy some items--toothbrushses, etc. This is not our fault and a minor inconvenience, although an annoyance. On the return trip we were at the airport 2 hours early and decided to have some lunch; this took us longer than expected, as did going through security. We were almost through, when we heard an announcement of our names and that we had 30 SECONDS to get to the gate. The board still showed the plane had not even landed yet!
As we arrived we saw the walk way door closed. They would not let us board. I understand the rules, and this was sort of our own fault. The complaint is our treatment after, by the representative at the desk. He was the most rude, surly person I have come across in a long time. He told us there were no more flights out that night, and it was our own fault, and proceeded to belittle us in front of our child! We never lost our temper, at least I didn't as I sent my husband to check the other airlines. My husband was quite upset at the way he spoke to us. The rep tried to talk us into taking a flight to Cleveland, and then we could maybe get a flight in the morning, or maybe take a bus to Boston and get a flight. Of course the flight he was talking about was an hour and ten minutes away when we were at least 3 hours by bus from the flight! We finally decided to pay for 3 more airfares on another airline. While we were waiting on that line, he walked over to the agent and said in his best stage whisper, "See, I just gave you some more business, these idiots missed their flight with us." UNBELIEVABLE ! I WILL NEVER FLY DELTA AGAIN!
Donna of Cleveland OH (02/13/08) I was coming home on Sunday 2/10/08 from Tobago (TAB) in the southern Caribbean. Delta now has a direct flight to and from Atlanta (ATL). I had a connecting flight to Cleveland, where the temperature was well below freezing. I had a cat with me and our flight was flight #220 on Delta Airlines, Tobago to Atlanta. I made arrangements with Delta to take my cat in the cabin with me, got all the necessary paperwork and shots. The vet only had a large cage, though, so I rebooked Brick to travel in cargo (Delta rep. on the phone just said Okay! It's all set! never advising me of any temperature restrictions). Tobago is an amazing and beautiful country, but access to goods is sometimes hard to come by, so I had to take what the vet there could sell me.
There were so many things wrong with flight 220, including a few security issues such as unattended luggage that security personnel just ignored. In my correspondence since Sunday with Delta no one has asked me about that. The pilot even apologized twice to the entire flight for the bad customer service, saying it was the worst he had ever witnessed. Because of the inept ground crew, we left almost 3 hours late. But what happened to me personally is the counter crew in Tobago would NOT accept my cat as baggage, even though the arrival temp would have been above the minimum requirement of 45 degrees in Atlanta. What he (the counter manager in charge) said was that he couldn't accept the cat because it was 40 degrees in Atlanta. That was the current temp. at 6:30-7am EST, not the arrival temp, which was 63 degrees when we got to ATL. According to the Delta web site the forecasted arrival temp. is what is supposed to be used to determine whether or not a pet can be checked in cargo. The counter manager in Tobago would not help me solve the problem of getting my cat to Cleveland.
I asked if I could buy a small cage (no, he didn't have any) so I asked if I could send her by pet baggage to ATL, then buy an under-the-seat cage (knowing that ATL is the Delta hub and so cages would be available). My goal was to get Brick home safely to Cleveland. When we landed in ATL, I talked to both the pilot of the flight as well as the on-board crew. They were horrified, as was the Delta reservationist who rebooked our flight to Cleveland (we'd missed our connection). In retrospect, I wish I had talked to the pilot when I boarded, but by then my cat had been picked up by a friend who is staying through this week. Since then, I've been dealing with customer service and they just don't seem to understand. Customer service in ATL on Sunday wasn't helpful. The response to an email that I sent yesterday was to offer me $250 in flight vouchers, to regain my confidence in Delta. The vouchers are not good for cargo (should I be able to find someone to take the cat to the airport) and a ticket at the last minute to Tobago is much more than that. I'm willing to go back down there to retrieve her this weekend: It's a once-a-week flight: Sat. ATL to TAB and Sunday TAB to ATL After this weekend, I'm not sure who will be around to feed my cat. She is is resourceful, but I would like her to have a be home in in Cleveland where she belongs.
It's the cost of airfare to and from Tobago from Cleveland. Cat may need new paperwork, so there could be vet costs. Renting a car in Tobago to get to the vet. I don't think I can put a price tag on the emotional cost that I've suffered since Sunday. I am a wreck.
Aleen of Campbell CA (02/08/08) We recently flew on 5 different airline when we went on a trip to Alaska. Delta was the only airline that we had problems with - and the problems with Delta were very upsetting. I felt attacked.
As a Summery: First they charged $50 for being one lbs over on one of our three bags (there were three of us so we could have had 6 bags.) We were not given a change to take anything out to make the bag lighter - it would have been very easy for us to do. It was over - we understood that but why couldn't they help us quickly take care of the problem. No scales to check beforehand like some airlines.
Second, when ask why the check-in machine gave us each different boarding passes (one received one boarding pass, another two boarding passes and the third was given one boarding pass and two confirmations) we were incorrectly told that we would be on different flights for the second part of our trip. This was very upsetting and we latter found this information was totally incorrect.
Third, When I ask why we would be on different flights, one Delta Employee asked who had booked our flight. When I told her Expedia she actually started almost yelling, Don't blame me for a problem that Expedia made, if you are willing to book through Expedia then you'll have to live with the problems. She actually kept bad mouthing Expedia until I finally just left. I'm sure a lot of their business comes from on-line bookers and I don't think it is a good company policy to be talking about them in such a rotten manner. Our trip was very complex and I don't know that we could have done it any other way.
Fourth, Both of the employees who were checking in our baggage were rude - very rude - totally unhelpful. They yelled at us, but we did not yell at them. It was not a busy morning, very few in line, so no reason for them to be in a hurry and rude.
Fifth, when we got to our first city in Alaska we wanted to check to see if our baggage was still with us, so we were ask for our baggage tickets and found that neither person checking our bags in SLC had given us any baggage ticket. Only our daughter had been given one. Thankfully our baggage made it, if not we would have had no way to find our baggage. We fly a lot and I've never had such a stupid experience with airline employees. Bad News.
Ricardo of Pocono Pines PA (12/11/07) On March 20th 2007, my friend and I bid and won a trip to Italy including airfare and hotel to Rome and Florence, and paid for it. Because of my friend having a bout with cancer at the time, we elected to postpone the trip until Sept 10th, 2007. Once in Rome we decided to forego the air trip to Florence because we could take the train for less than the trips to and from the airport for the flight to Florence alone. About 9 AM in the morning on the day before we were scheduled to return, we had the desk clerk from our hotel call the airline and reconfirm the trip. Delta was provided our names, the dates and flights, our current hotel name and room, as well as the hotels phone number; we were never notified of any problem. The next morning, while checking in at the Alitalia ticket counter at the airport in Florence to return to Rome and connect to our flight to the US (JFK), we were informed by the clerk on the Alitalia desk that Delta had canceled the rest of our itinerary.
I was then given a phone number in Rome, called the number from a public phone at the airport in Florence and spoke to an agent from Delta--using whatever Euros coins I had left. I was rather desperate and scared. Instead of being in any way helpful or even sympathetic, the Delta agent became totally belligerent and started screaming at me repeatedly that it was obvious that they had canceled the rest of our itinerary since we had changed our reservation. I calmly tried to reason with this man and replied to him that this matter obviously had not been so obvious to us, that we had never changed anything, that we had simply elected not to use one segment of our itinerary, and that had we known that such action represented any actual change we would obviously not have done so since we were now stranded in Florence. I also told him we had reconfirmed the morning before; he then simply just hung up on me. No rules relating to the fact that not using a specific segment of the itinerary would invalidate the rest of it (Contract of Carriage) were ever communicated to us, the passengers, in any way, at any time. I had paid Delta for my transportation and elected not to use a small portion of such but to go by train instead. I fail to see how this was detrimental to Delta in any way.
We were then in danger of missing both the flight from Florence to Rome and then the connection in Rome to NY; furthermore we no longer had any place to stay anywhere in Italy. Such tickets as well as the airport commission cost us 1,346.34 Euros (or $1,992.58 plus the currency exchange commission) for us to buy once more our way back home. I was lucky that my credit card took the charge since otherwise we would have remained stranded in Florence indefinitely. The State of Pennsylvania Attorney General Office has informed us that Delta will not negotiate any settlement, and they cannot proceed with any legal action against Delta Airlines because under Pennsylvania's Consumer Protection Law, the Commonwealth must establish a pattern or practice of deceptive or unfair conduct in order to pursue such action. If anyone has had any similar experience with Delta Airlines would you be so kind as to report it?
tickets as well as the airport commission costs us 1,346.34 Euros (or $1,992.58 plus the currency exchange commission) for us to buy once more our way back home.
Nikhil of Fairfax VA (12/02/07) I was traveling on Delta Airlines from Cleveland to Baltimore with a stop at Cincinnati. The flight from Cleveland to Cincinnati was fine. In Cincinnati, I had a wait time of 3 hrs. Due to some delayed arrival of a Delta aircraft, I had to wait an extra 2 hrs to board my flight to Baltimore. I reached the destination 3 hrs later than expected. It was obviously their fault. I asked the Delta representative whether he could arrange some sort of transportation as I missed my last metro bus/rail and he just said NO. That was so unkind of him. I have decided not to travel on such airlines again who are not concerned about thier customers.
The delays made me miss my metro bus and the last available train. Being a student, I could never afford a cab. I finally took a shuttle which cost me $60 and took me 3.5 hrs to reach home. I expected to reach home at 10 PM but reached home at 3 AM .
Marcia of Charlotte MI (11/29/07) In 2006, my granddaughter and I opted to give up our seats on a flight to Florida in exchange for vouchers valued at $200 ea to be used within one year of issuance. No problem.
In November 2007, I called Delta to make reservations for my sister and I to fly to Florida the end of November to help care for our elderly mother. I asked if the voucher issued in my granddaughter's name could be used for my sister's ticket and was told yes, but I had to purchase the ticket at the Delta counter at the airport. Again, no problem.
I went to the airport that same day, presented the vouchers to who seemed to be a newer employee because he kept asking his co-worker questions about what he was doing. End result is I got the two tickets.
Two days prior to flight, I got an email stating we could print off our boarding passes thus saving time at the airport. I went to do that and found that my sister's ticket was still in my granddaughter's name. I called the airline and spoke to a most unreasonable and unpleasant female in their customer service department. She insisted I made the reservation by phone and for my granddaughter. That's ludicrous since my granddaughter was never going on this trip. The woman refused to be reasonable and did end up re-issuing the ticket in my sister's name, but charged us a $75 fee. This was Delta's fault, not mine, and because of this incident, I will be cancelling my and my granddaughter's SkyMiles account and me and my family will never fly Delta again. Nor will as many friends as I can advise of this incident.
Peter of Honolulu HI (11/28/07) Returning from a Europe trip July 28, 2007, two single male passengers with Million Mile and Gold Medallion Status were bumped from their first class seats to coach in spite of Delta's advertised priority seating due to Medallion status or Million Mile status, and in spite of the fact that others in first class did not have those priority statuses. The lead agent, N. Brown, at ATL airport was rude and insolent and the attitude was--take these seats or don't take the flight. A $400 credit and 20,000 miles credit on a full-pay first class ticket was given ONLY after compensation was requested.
A complaint letter was sent to Delta, and Ms. Tuitt, Corporate Customer Care Manager, offered only feeble public relations responses and would not address the issue regarding the failure to honor advertised priorities in seating due to Medallion or Million Mile status. This leads me to believe all the frequent flyer status promotions are hype. Given the rude treatment and lack of candor in addressing the complaint, Delta certainly has become our airline of last choice! So much for the rewards of medallion and million mile status! Bah humbug!
Therese of Jacksonville FL (11/28/07) I spent the week of Thanksgiving in Paris and had booked my flight with Delta. On the way to France from Atlanta, I had the usual Delta flight: uninspiring, narrow seats, mediocre service, TV in my aisle not working. On the way back, I arrived in Paris Charles de Gaulle two hours early, went to Delta, saw a long line, and started waiting. I was accompanied by my ex-husband, who had a later flight to Boston. After 15 minutes, he checked with an attendant whether there was a way to go faster, as my flight was by then less than two hours later. She obligingly brought me to customer service and they started processing my ticket immediately, although they said that they had already closed the list of passengers. The employee managed to get me into the system but I was rejected, as all seats were taken. I was told that Delta always overbook their flights ( I am not surprised, I have waited two hours in a plane under the threat that we would never leave unless someone gave their seat up!). Apparently, I should have checked in by internet the evening before.
I was directed to someone else to rebook my flight. The employee was very obliging, but told me that Delta had changed their policy and that now, if a plane was full, they considered that the passenger had missed their flight. They did not have to reschedule his/her flight. In fact, I had to BUY another ticket (this with over one hour BEFORE the flight). I could leave the same evening for 5,000+ euros or the next day for 2,900 euros. My ex-husband asked whether he could use his frequent flyer miles, and the employee obtained permission to use them. Since my husband had only 45,000 miles, my ticket was reserved but not paid for. He had to purchase an additional 5,000 miles on the internet for $147 later on and had to pay almost $400 tax on the flight. My only consolation was that I was put on an Air France flight, where the food is good, the service was impeccable, the TV individual and worked and the drinks free.
I missed two days of work, was almost $600 out of pocket. I had to pay for an additional hotel room, meals, etc. I will not mention the stress.
Andrea of Grand Island NY (11/25/07) I arrived at Philadelphia airport 2 hrs early for flight scheduled for 10:15AM to Buffalo, NY. The flight was delayed as were the 2 planes next to us with mechanical problems. 3 hours later, about 1 PM, the flight was officially cancelled. Delta could not accomodate us on a flight so they put us on US Airways. The Delta rep insisted we pick up our checked luggage (at Terminal A) and take it over ourselves to USAirways (at Terminal F) for check-in. We boarded the US Airways flight at 5:40PM after spending 9 1/2 hours at the Philadelphia airport.It was a clear day - no weather problems. No problems at all traveling on Thanksgiving Day. This incident took place 2 days later, on the Saturday of Thanksgiving weekend when the airport was not crowded.
We tried to be as prepared as possible but no one could prepare me for this. Besides being a diabetic, I have a curviture of the spine and spinal stinosis and my husband has a recent hip replacement. Delta and US Airways have wonderful people manning the wheelchairs but even they could not believe that after Delta made reservations with US Air, we had to pick up our luggasge and find a way to get over to another terminal. The Employees felt sorry for us and helped us onto an employees bus to get us from terminal A to Terminal F. Then we had to start all over with the check-in and screening process. I was pretty shook up by this time and unfortunately was randomly searched. Without proper eating, dangerously swollen feet from all the sitting, and all the stress of the day, I was very shakey. Delta should have handled our luggage so we didn't have to leave the secure part of the airport. Delta should have aborted the flight earlier so that we had a better chance to get on another earlier flight or at least return to our relatives in Philadelphia where we we could have been cared for until the new flight. I cannot adequately describe the pain I felt sitting and waiting for such a long time. I should have been given more options. Needless to say it was a very difficult day for both of us.
Fady of Floral Park NY (10/12/07) My wife and I went to JFK airport (Delta Airline) for trave to the Dominican Republic. As soon as we showed my wife's passport which is Egyptian, at the Delta ticket counter, the problems began. The attitude was really bad even though I am an American citizen. I even asked them "What is going on?" They were not wearing ID tags, so I asked for the lady's name, and she refused to give it to me. They startedt making fun of my wife not speaking good English. I could not believe what I saw and heard today. By the way, I am a JFK employees. One of the bags was overweight 3 pounds, and the other bag was 26 pounds LESS, and they asked me to open my bags to move 3 pounds from it. We had only 2 bags. This treatment at the Delta counter seemed to be 100% discrimination.
Janet, R.N., of Everet MA (03/31/07)
For the 10th time, my boyfriend and I had connecting flight on march 16 from LA to Boston. Knowing that there was a storm in boston, the fool went to try to land in logan airport and couldn't.. so with that, he landed at bradley at about 9pm. I was supposed to work in the ER the next day. We got off the flight and were told there were no accommodations anywere. Well, there were. In fact, the crew stayed where we stayed at the Ramada Inn. laughing and drinking it up. Why couldn't they not lie, and even offer us crumbs as we departed the plane. Delta stinks.
Sammy of Midland MI (03/15/07) I was traveling with my wife and brother from Detriot Metro on 03/02-07 @1.30 pm the flight was delayed for what ever reason due to that I missed my flight going to San Juan PR and they did not book us on another flight or put us up in a hotel due to that i had pay 150 dollars to the best western for one night I think We should be compensated for my trouble and headaches.
Pathan of Mumbai OTHER (03/10/07)
I was detained before checking at Mumbai Airport by staff of Delta Airlines for useless & baseless questioning. inspite of having valid passport; valid USA visa and confirmed air ticket 0f 11th March at 0105 a.m. [reserved 3 months advance]. I was not allowed to get boarding pass ; asked to go back otherwise I will be deported in my own country.
Joan of Milford CT (02/25/07) We were supposed to travel from Hartford Connecticut to JFK airport, on Feb 18th to connect to a flight to San Diego leaving at 5:35. At first we were told that the airline was going to supply us with bus transportation to New York. That never happened. When we finally boarded our plane, the stewardess told us that the captain was calling ahead to tell New York that we would be a little late and to hold the plane. We were further told that an escort would be there to guide us to our gate of departure. When we finally arrived in New York there was a hold up, as we had to wait for stairs to depart from the plane. When we finally got off of the plane there was no one there to escort us, so we all ran to the gate of departure, just to see our plan fly off without us. We now had to leave the airport and return to ticketing. We called Travelocity to see what they could do for us. We first entered our phone # and the reply was we didn't find anything. Next they requested our trip ID and again the reply was the same. We repeated this process three times. The ticket agent that we reported to was fantastic. He hooked us up with a 2am flight to Atlanta, Ga. Unfortunately, the flight never left until 4:30AM because they needed to clean the plane.
Consequently, we never arrive in San Diego until noon time on Monday.
Beverly of Rochester NY (06/28/06) I did not add a city and state because I had bad service at 3 airports on my round trip. I had the WORST airport experience of my life this week dealing with your airline.I was first scheduled to board Delta Air Lines #5543 departure time 10:05am on June 21. Shortly AFTER this departure time is then announced that the flight was delayed. This left the Rochester, NY airport 1 hour later. Clearly there was a known weather delay. The attendent then set up standby flights for the passengers with tight connection. I then arrived at my connecting airport, Cincinnati, OH. I missed that connecting flight. I asked the woman at the gate about my flight and she also informed me that I had missed my flight. she also confirmed my seat on my next flight. I then went to the gate of my standby to confirm my seat. The ladies at the desk also confirmed my seat. I then walked around the airport for 3 hours only to find out that when the time came to be seated on the flight the attendent informed me that the plane was full.
I had to then go through Chicago, IL and connect from there to reach Richmond before night fall. I arrived at 8pm. This was a wasted day for me. I missed all appointments that day. On June 26 my Delta #5122 flight was scheduled to leave at 4:10pm. It left about 55 minutes late. My issue on the return flight invloves my baggage. We arrived late and I had to leave the airport without my baggage. The baggage had not arrived. My number was taken down and I was told that I would be called at the time that my baggage came in and my baggage would be delivered by 8am. i called into 18003258224 to check on my baggage. i was told it was being track, i would be called when my baggage came in, dont go to the airport because they were very busy. I respected that untill my 4th call of the day. I was told to call back in a 2 hours on the first 3 calls. I only came across my baggage by going up to the airport myself, against the suggestion of the phone operators.
I found my baggage, myself, shortly before 4pm June 27. Over and over i asked about my baggage and i was told it was still in Atlanta. That was not true. It had been in the rochester airport all morning, since 3am June 27. My baggage handle was broken in 2, where the scannable lable could be placed, my bag was labled no tag. Something needs to be done about this. Yes. I did talk to a supervisor about this over the phone and nothing was done. I love to fly ,but after this disater, I no longer have any plans to fly any time soon.
Nathalie of Barre VT (06/24/06) I flew from Boston to JFK airport with a connection to Brussels Belgium, on flight 140, on June 23rd,2006 with my 2 daugthers. I was a long day, the first flight was 1h15min, with a layover in JFK for over 4hours plus another 6h30 minute flight to brussels. When I was on the luggage claim one of my luggage was missing, the one that include my clothes and one of my daughter, I went to report it, and they mentioned they were still at JFK, what Im upset is that even the person on standby got their suitcases. So I called Delta airline to see if they could help and they were the rudest person I even been in contact with;
I have no clothes, and also my 10th year old, I have no choice tomorrow to get some because of their smell, even after a shower it still there, I have no night clothes and also Brittany tonight. I feel dirty and don't even dare to go out, my daugther clothes got dirty during the flight and I feel uncomfortable to bring her places.
Rebecca of Jacksonville FL (06/06/06) I spoke with Annie Bell (Delta CSR) at 2:28 pm and I advised that I would like to book a flight from Atlanta to San Franciso on July 13, 2006-July 17, 2006. I advised that I was a Delta Sky Miles member and she stated that they were not Sky Mile seats available. I also advised that my father received a voucher during travel. She took my information and advised that my father and I could travel together. The total was $348.61. As she was taking my father's information the phone was disconnected. I called back and asked for Annie Bell. Sam Daniel advised that he could not route me back to Annie Bell. I was frustrated because I spent 20 minutes on the phone explaining everything to her. He quoted $661.00.
I called back within 2 minutes. I requested a manager and both Sam Daniel and Ms Ewing stated that our managers do not take phone calls. I'm a manager in customer service and we strive to satisfy our customers, even if it requires us to take a phone call. This was the worst service that I have ever received in my life and the CSRs showed zero concern.
Don of Memphis TN (11/1/02): On flight 2192 departing Memphis 5:05 pm the flight attendant crew was very rude. One flight attendant stated, "I can't believe there are still people as stupid as the ones on this flight."
I felt like an unappreciated customer. You are already uncomfortable on Delta. I think they have more rows of seats than other airlines because I have never felt so enclosed.
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