While I can't really say this qualifies as a "nightmare" in my book (I'm guessing you've never actually flown through DTW and are assuming the airport somehow resembles the city of Detroit), Rule 240B in Delta's
Contract of Carriage provides for a full refund for schedule changes that result in a 90 minute or more change in your arrival or departure. Since you seem very concerned about getting the shortest, most direct routing possible, it sounds like you would be better off getting a refund and going with US Airways as they seem to have the most direct routing options (via it's hubs in PHL and CLT).
LBJ and other fellow FTers,
Thank you so much for your insights.
The reason this situation is a nightmare in my book is because this flight is part of a complex multi-city translantic flight with a stopover in New England area.
Strollers, 4-5 suitcases , jetlagged parents and kids etc will be part of the deal
I am hesitant to cancel the ticket because it is a very complicated one departing in early May.
FLL-JFK-IST- early May
IST-JFK-BOS-late July
and the final leg described in the first post.
In an ideal world, I want to keep the transatlantic portions of the ticket but then wonder what the new price would be. I know that they have a way to calculate it.
The average price for the 3-legged multi-city flight was around $1,250.
Any insight is appreciated.
RM
P.S. I have flown through DTW and it is probably one of the best "large" airports in the world.