MCO Flyer

Hmm it appears some strange things are going on with DLs inventory and capacity limits right now. Looking at DL.com right now, every flight from SLC-LAX is over the First Class “COVID capacity limit,” but inventory is selling to full capacity. On DL2109, there are 17 seats taken with 2 more more still open for sale (Seat 1C/D is blocked for the FA on the 739) even with the cabin already being “COVID full.” I wonder if the Saturday schedule change update today messed up inventory, perhaps pushing comp UGs into FC causing the cap to go over? Please report back tomorrow on what happens.

lateacher

That doesn't sound good. I rebooked onto this flight after my original was canceled. Will update for sure.

Twohitwonder

Because of increased demand and possible pilot/fa staffing issues, the seat blocks are being lifted for the next 2 days.

jmastron

What does that mean? Blocking middle economy seats is still a published policy until 4/30, as is adjacent-FC blocking. Releasing blocks on FA-proximity seats or allowing people traveling together or who are willing to sit together (e.g. "you 3 separate standbys, I can put you on if you're all willing to share a row), but I hope they're not just jamming random strangers between people without permission.

I'm looking at booking a college visit trip later this month with my daughter, and am seriously looking at DL only because of the blocked seat; would be VERY displeased and wouldn't allow someone in between us without significant argument (and likely deplaning/rebooking on another flight if necessary). People can like the policy or not like it, but it is the documented policy.

KBMIFlyer

AA has essentially stopped all food and beverage service except for limited service in First Class. At least Delta still gives coach passengers a snack bag.

cubeman

Delta "Stopped" for the next 2 days but they've been doing it consistently along flights in the US for the past few weeks. You can't do seat blocking then also cut your flights 20-30%.

dw

Apparently flights are going to be booked up to 100% for the next two days. IMHO huge failure on the part of DL.

Twohitwonder

It means that DL is going to fully book flights for the next 2 days, then will have seats blocked again until May 1.

MCO Flyer

What an awful weeks it’s been for DL. So much for all that new “loyalty” they were supposed to earn after the pandemic ends for all their “COVID precautions.”

cmd320

Temporary loyalty is probably a more accurate term.

spongenotbob

It's impressive how quickly the famous "Delta CareStandard" goes out the window for operational failures.

Call me a conspiracy theorist (and you should), but this almost smells like a trial balloon for ending the middle-seat-block even earlier than 5/1.

xliioper

They've cancelled 3% of their flights today and none for tomorrow so far. There may be a few flights that end up "100%" full due to the cancellations, but I seriously doubt there will be that many and they will likely be able to maintain seat blocking on most flights. It's not like a miraculous amount of demand is going to instantly materialize at the last minute to fill these flights with pax.

whooperatw

Here is a tricky one - passenger A books flight A in first expecting seat blocked. Passenger B books on flight B with same plan but also hoping to SDC.

Come today passenger B looks at SDC and finds plenty of FC capacity and makes the move. Oddly no seats available but confirmed in FC on flight A.

Both passenger A and B board flight A to find themselves next to each other having paid with the expectation of an empty seat. Downgrade an OU passenger, offer VDB as compensation, some other outcome? Of course this somewhat depends on the individuals as well but would be a sticky situation if FC was already COVID full.

DLASflyer

For the month of January (the most recent month available), an American flight was 7 times more likely to be canceled than a Delta flight. A United flight 9 times more likely. Also significantly more likely to arrive on time with Delta/Delta Connection than with American, United, Southwest, Frontier, Spirit or JetBlue.

https://www.transportation.gov/sites...021%20ATCR.pdf

cubeman

I've actually sent an email to Delta after talking to them via Text regarding my past 3 flights having seat blocks only to not at the gate. I'll see what they reply with but since it's been nearly a week of that email being sent I have doubts it'll even be answered. When the flight change stuff calms down I'll give a call.