After having trip after trip after trip with 100% on-time success this year, I ran into two delays on the same day. On Wednesday 7/13/16, I flew a DCA-JFK-PBI-ATL-DCA itinerary.

After a flawless performance on the DCA-JFK leg, I arrived at gate C63 to find the FA crew exiting the aircraft, and a quick look out the window revealed that Line MTC had opened a panel on the left hand side of the A319 at the rear. Delta was proactive in this circumstance, as they did procure a replacement A319 (with the refurbished cabin and AVOD), got it catered, and was able to get us to PBI only 26 minutes late.

On the way back north, the Big D turned in another impressive performance on the PBI-ATL sector, arriving at ATL about 10 minutes early. However, on the last ATL-DCA flight of the night, our flight crew was late arriving, and as a result we did not start pushback until 45 minutes after scheduled departure time. We were however able to taxi to runway 27R without stopping, and got to DCA at 0036, only 24 minutes behind schedule.

This is to commend Delta for not cancelling either segment, but taking the steps to fly good, comfortable flights and reduce the lateness as much as possible.

What are others finding out about Delta's recent operational performance?