I know we see a lot of issues around here but just wanted to share my experience yesterday.

Was on DL2049 from ATL - FLL. About the time boarding was supposed to start they announced a delay due to a fuel gauge problem. About 20 mins later, all clear and boarding started. I was about #7 for upgrade and all 24 seats showing as checked in so I just went ahead and boarded as it didn't look like there would be 7 no shows.

Pushed back about 30 mins late and taxied out. Captain says we are #2 for takeoff. Sat for a while but I was reading and not really paying attention. Then I realized that even for ATL, we were sitting for a long time. Sure enough a few minutes later captain says that there's a problem with the other engine so we have to go back to the gate.

Taxi to gate but have to wait a few mins for ground crew. They get the door open and it's now about 1hr and 20 mins past original departure. Here's my only criticism of the whole incident. We sat for about 10 mins with the door open and no announcement. Not even a "sit tight while we see what's going on". Finally captain says aircraft is not going anywhere and to disembark but wait in gate area.

As I get to gate area I hear the GA say that he will get us info as quickly as possible and given a full 757, he's sure that a replacement plane will be found and to just sit tight. About 20 mins later we are told that a plane is available and to go to the new gate.

Everyone heads over there. When we get there, within a few minutes the monitors show the flight info and an 11:15pm departure. (It's about 10:40 so 11:15 is a bit optimistic.) Anyway, a few minutes later I happen to look up and noticed that the monitor says that there are 26 FC seats so we've been given a 757 transcon. I know a few people in Y tried to get switched to the 10 something to FLL but I didn't know if any in F did. I'm thinking that with the swap, etc, any non-revs that might not have gotten on the 10 something will probably try to get on this flight and end up in any extra FC seats. As I'm thinking this, the cleared list pops up and I'm in FC.

We start boarding about 10 mins later and I find out that the cabin crew that were on the first plane are not working the new plane. They are just on board so that we could get boarding going while waiting for the replacement crew. ^ I know they normally get paid while the door is closed so not sure what happens here. Maybe this is normal, I don't know but it certainly left a good impression that they did what they needed to do to put the customer first. Anyway we get underway with the new crew and get into FLL about 3 hours late.

Delays happen. They suck but I thought that things were handled pretty well and from my untrained eye, I didn't see much that DL could have done better. All the employees were professional and had good attitudes. In fact the captain made this announcement as we approached FLL "we know you have a choice of airlines to be late on and we thank you for choosing to be late on Delta".