Delta - Never Again
 

The best piece of advice I can offer to any traveler going anywhere is Do Not Fly Delta!!<BR>My wife and I recently returned from a wonderful trip to Turkey but the flight over and back was pure hell. Every flight was delayed and arrived late - not just a few minutes but at least one hour and most cases two hours. This goes for the trip to Turkey and the return. We were rushed thru customs at JFK, they did not check our luggage, ran to catch the flight and of course it too was delayed two hours. The plane itself going and returning was a 767 and an old one at that. Very cramped, the seat did not come up to my head (6'2"), no legroom. First transoceanic flight I have been on for some time that did not offer individual TVs and not even a drop down that was viewable.<BR>My wifes sister was here for a visit and she just calaled from the airport - her flight was scheduled to depart at 3pm, cancelled and finally scheduled for 6pm departure. Sshe was supposed to go to San Diego but Delta has routed her to Los Angeles and will provide Ground Transportation (Can you believe this) to SD.<BR>I fail to see how Delta can stay in business. Have any of you had similar experiences? Does anybody have a good word to say about Delta?<BR>

Celeste loves to fly Delta (and it shows!)...maybe she'll post a good word or two.

Good one, Helen;o)

I had a very bad experience with Delta as well. YES!! We were also delayed for two hours in Istanbul and rest was a hell. On the way from US to Istanbul, they let a dog in a crate that would not fit anywhere. So they let the owner of the dog to put the crate by the space where the flight attendents serve. During the dinner time, the smell and barking was over whelming.<BR>I have been flying THY recent years and have had a better luck.

Flew to Paris in May on Delta and it couldn't have been any better. Great flight, great food, good movies, and nice flight attendants.

I'm not invested in defending Delta, but I imagine that any airline we could mention, there'd be horror stories. Bad days, good days. It is just so frustrating to be part of it at those times, a real sense of helplessness.

Just returned from Nice on Delta and the flight was terrible. Old 767 no seat screens , tiny drop down screens that were not visible from window seats, my seat the audio was broken when i told the attendent her reply was " well isn't that too bad for you " A/c wasn't working well at half way point in flight entire cabin tried to turn on over head air. Peoples chocolate was melting at there seats. Attendants made announcement we should pull down the window screens and it would cool off. The worst part is they showed the same movie 2 times in a row, I AM SAM , luckily I learned how to lip read during the second run.<BR> Also traveling with handicapped mpther who they placed in row 44, Delta knew this from time of reservation in Februay and still booked her into the back of the cavin ( booking was made with wheelchair needed ). All in all worst flight ever.<BR> Flight to Paris in late MAy on Delta not bad row 22 ( as handicapped accessibility was given ) legroom, cool, food not bad only one complaint they started the movie " Bridget Jonese Diary " ten minutes in they put i Harry Potter ......Why a night flight to PAris and we were all forces to watch Harry Poter. Would never Fly Delta again, will also be very careful for codeshares as this was booked as an Air France flight<BR>

I'm a million miler, gold medallion on Delta and I'd fly them anywhere, and for the most part have!<BR><BR>The experiences you describe could and do happen on any ariline. Delta has their share of problems, but as for me, I'll take them any day!<BR><BR>US

I have never had a bad experience with Delta, although I've had delays....but what airline hasn't. I have found their flight attendants and ground personel very nice!<BR>I now try to only fly American Airlines though because of the extra legroom. It really does make a big difference, especially on a LONG flight. Sorry about your bad experience!

It's nice to have amenities, but the only thing the airlines are required to give you is a seat, a seatbelt, and getting you to your destination safely. It happens that things break and that the headsets don't work, or that the sound system doesn't work at that specific seat. Bring a book, bring your own beverages, and be content that you got to your destination safely.

I've only flown Delta in the US and they were about the same as any, I guess. I wouldn't like delays, of course, if it's the airline's fault, but what's the carping about 767s? These are my preferred aircraft, except for Airbuses. 767s have more seat space than 777s and 747s, in my experience. In fact, I just went out of my way to book a British Airways flight at an airport I don't care for that much (BWI) because they fly 767s out of there rather than 747s, and from the stats I read (hopefully aren't wrong), they have at least an inch more seat pitch on the 767s. I just flew BA from London to DC last week or so on a 747 and the seating was horrendous. Did I make a mistake and remember wrong about 767s? I thought I flew on one once and tried to take note of the number because it was better than other aircraft. I personally don't care about those TV screens, they are too small and often have a bad picture, so I rarely watch them anyway. Now, if the plane is old and not kept up, that's another issue than the model number, isn't it? Or are all 767s really old?

I too am a frenquent flyer. I will NEVER,NEVER,NEVER fly Delta again. I was given 2 incentive trips this year to Europe, 1 to Costa del Sol in Spain, another to Rome. Both were on Delta. On the flight from Madrid to JFK, we were actually told if 5 people didn't give up their seats, we wouldn't be moving from the gate! Seems they were overbooked and their elite status passengers hadn't made the check in time at the gate early enought. This announcement was made again after we sat at the gate for another 25 minutes. Finally someone caved. I believe they got $300.00 Delta dollars....When we arrived at JFK, I asked to speak to a manager on duty. He actually said "Well, you got here, did't you". I told him I would post this on Fodors, he said "If it makes you feel better".

I fly Delta 99% of the time and find they are very comparable with other airlines. Any airline could have problems on any given day and I have only run into a few of those. I have had my luggage temporarily lost. A few delays , but have had this happen on other airlines also. I just flew to Japan in April on Delta and had a great flight. They threw in a extra movie and had an extra snack. I too don't like the personal seatback movie screens because they are too small for me to focus on.

Hi<BR>I fly Delta domestically at least 4 or 5 times a year, and I have used them for flights to Paris, Venice, and Rome.<BR>Except for the usual airline outrages like minimal leg room, cramped pitch of the seats, and bad food, I have no complaints that are particular to Delta. My international flights arrived and departed on time, which is more than I can say for many of my Delta flights in and out of Atlanta or New York.

Every time I EVER flew Delta,they got me there alive.<BR>That,today,is all I ask for.

Delta is the only airline I've ever written to compliment them on their service. When my mother, who lived in Europe, passed away, they were the only ones to offer a bereavement fare, and because they were aware of the reason for my flight, they treated me extremely well. I had flown them to Europe on previous occasions, and never had a problem.<BR><BR>Do you want to hear my United horror stories?

Well, add me to the list of people who will NEVER, EVER, AS GOD IS MY WITNESS, fly Delta again. I had 2 nightmare flights with them. Their seating is beyond cramped; their personnel bring new meaning to the word 'rude'; they never leave or arrive on time... I could go on and on - you get the point.

you go, Ms. Scarlett O'hara wannabe

I have never had a problem with Delta going to Europe as long as I connected in Atlanta. I will never connect in JFK again, I don't care how much money I save.<BR><BR>Right now my preferred airline is American because of the extra leg-room. I still have a bunch of miles on Delta to use though.

I have used Delta dozens of times and do not have one complaint. To the person who thinks they are rude, you were probably rude to them.

I'd really be more concerned about what Delta's safety record is compared to other airlines. All seats are cramped in coach -- okay, American has added a few extra inches, but in general, all airline seats are cramped and uncomfortable. Food is generally lousy, and you get what you pay for. <BR><BR>Think of it this way, the IRS suggests a reimbursement to business travelers that use their cars at 36 cents per mile, or there abouts. When you fly, you're travelling at approximately 10 cents per mile, and that includes a meal, snack, unlimited alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages and free movies (when flying internationally). And besides, you are waited on and someone else is doing the driving.

scarlett doesn't fly Delta:)<BR>

The horrors of it all!! Delays of an hour or two, small seats, cramped legroom and gasp ... no individual TV screens. How did they survive the horror of it all???<BR><BR>How people can fly a couple of times on an airline and denouce the entire airline is beyond me. Do you not realize that delays can be caused by a multitude of causes including those that have nothing to do with the airline itself. I have been on a flight that was delayed because the passengers had brought so much crap on board that we had to wait to get it all stored. Maybe I should blame America West!!!!<BR><BR>If you can't handle life's little problems than don't travel. Travel much like life is not perfection.<BR><BR>Any flight that gets you from point A to point B in a safe manner is a good flight. GET A GRIP.<BR><BR>And for the goodness sake don't eat dinner at Tavern on the Green (see US postings) and check your coat. Now that's a nightmare!!!!

For kkj: Why is it that people who draft a post such as yours never give a real email address? Interesting!<BR>FYI - Have flown Delta seveal time and finally just reached the boiling point. Have not had similar experiences with other airlines. Re cramped legroom etc You must be one of those 5'5" folks who find the seats very comfortable - good for you, but for those of us on the tall side it is agony.<BR>A PS to my wifes sisters flight. Thought she was finally departing at 6:30 - no such luck, sshe did finally depart at 7:30 and was told she would not be going to San Diego but LA and ground transportation would be furnished to SD. NEVER NEVER AGAIN.

To kkj: Well I'm sorry it is "beyond you" to understand that someone can make 2 flights and "denounce an entire airline". How many trips should I make with them before I have the right to form an opinion? I have flown many other airlines - some I have liked much better than others - but I have never had the nightmare experiences I had with Delta. <BR><BR>And no, I was not rude. I know that every trip is made much easier by being as cordial as possible to all airline personnel. I will again say that they were the rudest people I have ever encountered.<BR><BR>I certainly understand flight delays and if that were the only problem I could easily overlook it. And I could understand if there was only one individual who had behaved badly. But unfortunately that was not my experience with Delta.

Terry, true, so true. For years, every time I've been stuck with Delta, I've asked myself, "When did they forget how to run an airline?" The first time was 10 years ago, and I've never had a good experience with them. Avoid Delta while you can - they may soon be our only choice in the south.

Having lived in Atlanta and having had to use Delta too much for my own good, I learned that DELTA stands for Don't Ever Leave the Airport. 'Nuff said.

When DL took over PanAm's European routes, they absorbed many of the PanAm cabin crews who initially thought their new employeer was great and indeed flying conditions improved over the PanAm days.<BR><BR>However, within a few years, the PA crews I knew - I was travelling to Europe ~10x/year back then - gradually disappeared and in their place came DL trained cabin nazis and their counterparts in the terminal.<BR><BR>I gave up on DL back in 98 and haven't regretted it for a moment.

Well.... being an Atlanta naitve I have flown Delta literally hundreds of times on business (Used to work for a Canadian company and cover whole U.S.) and since 1995 have flown them on 12 trans atlantic rt flights for personal traveling... maybe a couple of bad experiences in the 30+ years I've been flying them, but basically when I get on a Delta plane I feel I am "at home"!<BR><BR>You want a truly horrible experience? Fly Air France! 4 really bad trans atlantic flights (and in Business Class I might add!) and a "whole bunch" of horrible experiences on inter-european flights. To be perfectly honest, they don't seem to give a rat's ass whether they take off on time or not... or whether the flight gets cancelled or not... or whether they lose your luggage (twice)... or totally tear your luggage up (only once thank God!)<BR><BR>But then, of course they are French and do use CDG as a base so I suppose the rudeness, the lack of caring, and the lack of urgency concerning an on time schedule is to be expected ;&gt;)<BR><BR>Barry

Sorry that you had a bad experience with Delta. No one can satisfy all customers all of the time. ALL airlines have there share of good days and bad days, great flights, and not so great flights. <BR>As for me, I travel almost entirely on DL. Have for years. Have I had a few bad flights ...yep..Have I had a few late flights...yep..BUT...on balance and given as many flights as I have been on both domestically and internationally I would have to say that they do a dang good job of serving the needs of their customers. I for one am extrememly satisfied with DL. Just booked 3 different tickets a few minutes ago. And no I do not work for DL.

Just flew on Delta to Italy and back. Will never fly on Delta again unless it's business class. Not one of our flights EVER left on time. Our flight from Atlanta to Rome was the "Flight from Hell". First it left an hour and a half late because they had to wait for some folks that were late. My husband is 6'8",sons 6'5" and 6". They are not overweight,just tall. Do you think we could possibly get the bulkhead or exit rows, NO! But small children were sitting there. The policy is that no one under 15 can sit in the exit row. This was an older,smaller MD 11 and even I at 5'4" felt squished. My husband ended up standing for much of the 9 hour flight. On the way back we were assured, even at the gate that yes we had the exit row seats. But when we boarded we found that they had switched planes at the last minute and so that changed the seat assignments. So again my tall guys were so uncomfortable for hours. And again children were seated in the exit rows. And the flight attendants said there was nothing they could do. Never again!

We usually fly Delta. They are often a bit late, but probably not moreso than most airlines - especially these days. <BR>Last year we flew Swissair into Europe. They refuse to sit travelling parties together. Also, they always seat small children in the exit rows, then just before taxiing out, the fright attendants panic, suddenly realizing that the child is not supposed to sit there. This causes another delay whilst they find a person willing to switch. They also lost our luggage for 5 days. I think you can be in the wrong place at the wrong time for any airlines.

Gayle "Will never fly on Delta again unless it's business class. Not one of our flights EVER left on time."<BR><BR>Did the folk in business class get away on time? ;-)

Just joined the Delta Millionmile Club. Have had a few bad flights but overall Delta is my airline of choice!!

I fly Delta frequently, (though not quite exclusively), usually economy class, and find them to be generally as crappy as every other airline around(including international carriers). But certainly no worse than average, and not the authors of any of my all-time worst experiences. <BR><BR>We flew round trip Atlanta-Gatwick earlier this week and had no problems either way. Both flights left on time, and both arrived early (the return flight the obvious beneficiary of a particularly light headwind). Flight attendants pleasant and helpful, lots of water and other beverages on offer, food the usual dreck.<BR><BR>