DL continues to weaken operationally (Summer 2022 Meltdown)
#31
Join Date: Mar 2021
Programs: Marriott Ambassador - Delta Diamond - United Silver - Frontier 100k - Hertz Presidential
Posts: 318
The other part is when IROPS happen, the interior hubs (mostly DTW & MSP) have had their schedules scrapped way too thin, so there is often no ability to reroute. When a MKE-LGA nonstop is cancelled, there aren’t enough frequencies and seats between say MKE-DTW to make a one stop re-routing possible for days, which didn’t used to be the case.
Not only has the reliability and customer service taken a hit, but the DL flight schedules have actually gotten worse in 2022 vs 2021. Even though less people wanted to fly last year, DL actually had better schedules in both DTW & MSP in 2021 vs 2022, which previously helped a lot in the event of IROPS .
Not only has the reliability and customer service taken a hit, but the DL flight schedules have actually gotten worse in 2022 vs 2021. Even though less people wanted to fly last year, DL actually had better schedules in both DTW & MSP in 2021 vs 2022, which previously helped a lot in the event of IROPS .
I assume when vouchers do become more expensive we'll see the return of more alternative routes.
#32
Join Date: Dec 2012
Programs: AA Pyrite
Posts: 577
Would it help if DL and others, limited number of flights (e.g. 3 each day from XXX to XXX instead of 5 per day) at 330 days through 150 (my random choice of time) days out, then add in flights as demand increases? It seems I have a thousand choices 10 months out, then crap as a result of changes/cancellations close in.
Just curious, no established belief.
Just curious, no established belief.
#33
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: DL PM; IHG PlatAmb; Hilton Dia; Marriott Plat; Radisson Gold; Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 6,066
#34
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2011
Location: NYC (LGA, JFK), CT
Programs: Delta Platinum, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Gold, AAdvantage Gold, Hyatt Exploits
Posts: 3,368
When multiple passengers report issues across a number of days / weeks / months, and these same passengers had few issues a couple of years ago, it’s not insignificant
#35
Join Date: Jul 2016
Posts: 46
Boxes v hot depends on what station currently. There are many many threads about food complaints already - both complaints about the lack of hot meals and then people complaining that they don't like the hot meals. Either way, not usually considered an "operational" problem .
Delta In-Flight Meal/Food Service: The Definitive Thread — 2022 Edition
Delta In-Flight Meal/Food Service: The Definitive Thread — 2022 Edition
#36
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: SEA (the REAL Washington); occasionally in the other Washington (DCA area)
Programs: DL PM 1.4MM; AS MVPG 75K
Posts: 18,462
One thing I've noticed is that Delta is really slow to return to normal on board service in First. IAD to SEA r/t in first this week - still serving boxed meals?
There are things out of their control which I cant blame the airline for - as noted, its happening everywhere. But yes, its surprising that on coast to coast flights in First they are still serving very small boxed meals.
There are things out of their control which I cant blame the airline for - as noted, its happening everywhere. But yes, its surprising that on coast to coast flights in First they are still serving very small boxed meals.

#37
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Southern California
Programs: United MileagePlus Premier 1K, Delta SkyMiles Diamond Medallion
Posts: 710
Had this Sunday in Wisconsin
MKE-LGA
Was delayed due to operational issues then that put us in the weather window of the storms but they boarded us anyway and had us sit on the run way for 2 hours to the dot. Said we could unboard or wait 30 minutes and we'll be taxing back out to take off. 15 minutes into that they canceled it. Even as a Diamond Medallion the best option I was given for flight was Wens night (3 days later) because everyone else ahead of me was able to choose which is nuts considering the status for upgrade list was 5 people on that flight so how many medallions or other plat/diamonds are even there? Couldn't even use the app because it said "you must call to change"
Luckily watching flights we caught a monday night one that my non-status GF could switch too via app but I had to call. The time I got someone on the 0 minute wait diamond line the flight was sold out except one FC/J Fare. The rep said give me a second let me see if I can just give you that and he did. I was a paid W Fare originally.
They did issue me a hotel voucher and meal voucher...that didn't work and they couldn't manually issue anything either. So now I have to hope they'll honor my reimbursement request.
MKE-LGA
Was delayed due to operational issues then that put us in the weather window of the storms but they boarded us anyway and had us sit on the run way for 2 hours to the dot. Said we could unboard or wait 30 minutes and we'll be taxing back out to take off. 15 minutes into that they canceled it. Even as a Diamond Medallion the best option I was given for flight was Wens night (3 days later) because everyone else ahead of me was able to choose which is nuts considering the status for upgrade list was 5 people on that flight so how many medallions or other plat/diamonds are even there? Couldn't even use the app because it said "you must call to change"
Luckily watching flights we caught a monday night one that my non-status GF could switch too via app but I had to call. The time I got someone on the 0 minute wait diamond line the flight was sold out except one FC/J Fare. The rep said give me a second let me see if I can just give you that and he did. I was a paid W Fare originally.
They did issue me a hotel voucher and meal voucher...that didn't work and they couldn't manually issue anything either. So now I have to hope they'll honor my reimbursement request.
#38
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Chicago, IL
Programs: SkyTeam Elite Plus lifetime
Posts: 60
Grass is not greener on the other side
Yes, Delta's operational reliability is not what it used to be in 2019. But I don't know that we have the data to conclude that it has deteriorated more significantly (relative to their respective 2019 metrics) than other airlines.
For what it's worth, WalletHub and the Wall Street Journal both ranked Delta #1 in operational reliability after independently analyzing Dept. of Transportation data from the past year.
https://wallethub.com/edu/best-airlines/20916
https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-bes...21-11643374802
For what it's worth, WalletHub and the Wall Street Journal both ranked Delta #1 in operational reliability after independently analyzing Dept. of Transportation data from the past year.
https://wallethub.com/edu/best-airlines/20916
https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-bes...21-11643374802
#39
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: New York (Brooklyn)
Programs: Delta Gold, Marriott Lifetime Platinum, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 417
#40
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: DL PM; IHG PlatAmb; Hilton Dia; Marriott Plat; Radisson Gold; Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 6,066
#41
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Somewhere above the Mason-Dixon
Programs: DL Ham Samich
Posts: 1,614
But experience is relative. Perception is reality. All that jazz.
#43
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Las Vegas
Programs: DL Diamond, UA Platinum, AA Lifetime Gold, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Titanium, Radisson Gold
Posts: 6,477
I think I've had more non-weather related delays this Spring on DL than I've had in maybe the past several years.
The biggest frustration in 2022 for me has been lack of route frequency so if there's a significant delay a reroute is next to impossible
There's definitely been a deterioration in one of DL's biggest historical strengths (reliability) IME
The biggest frustration in 2022 for me has been lack of route frequency so if there's a significant delay a reroute is next to impossible
There's definitely been a deterioration in one of DL's biggest historical strengths (reliability) IME
#44
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 2,764
Well that depends... is on flyertalk or the real world.
After all if anything happens to anyone on here it's a MAJOR issue but in the real world.
That said every airline and airport seems to be struggling this year. If you want stress free, problem free travel... probably should wait a year

#45
Join Date: Feb 2020
Location: SBN/IND/MDW/ORD/JAX
Programs: DL PM, AS MVP, AA, UA, B6, HA, WN, Delta SkyClub, Alaska Lounge, Global Entry, CLEAR
Posts: 347
I’ve had more IRROPS this year than I have in the past 5+ combined but most of them were out of Delta’s control and I just got really unlucky with weather. The two I’ve had that were in their control was a maintenance delay requiring changing planes but they handled that situation well in my opinion and kept everyone well informed the whole time which made a huge difference in my eyes. The other one was due to pilots coming in on a delayed flight causing a 3.5hr delay and making me rebook on AA, that one I was not too pleased with.
I’ve had a bunch of IRROPS this week too. My JAX-JFK Sunday night was delayed an hour and some change due to weather. LGA-JAX Tuesday morning, we pushed on time then sat in line for takeoff for 55 minutes and had to get a new flight plan to avoid weather which ultimately put us into JAX 20 minutes late. Now I was supposed to fly JAX-LGA-YYZ today and I woke up to see JAX-LGA is delayed an hour and a half causing a misconnect due to thunderstorms in NYC. As I’m looking at alternates none of them are good then I see LGA-YYZ just got canceled. Called Delta and they managed to get me on WestJet from LGA-YYZ tonight so fingers crossed…
The grass is definitely not greener on the other side and especially so for me when most of my issues have been out of Delta’s control and I’ve just had really bad timing unfortunately.
I’ve had a bunch of IRROPS this week too. My JAX-JFK Sunday night was delayed an hour and some change due to weather. LGA-JAX Tuesday morning, we pushed on time then sat in line for takeoff for 55 minutes and had to get a new flight plan to avoid weather which ultimately put us into JAX 20 minutes late. Now I was supposed to fly JAX-LGA-YYZ today and I woke up to see JAX-LGA is delayed an hour and a half causing a misconnect due to thunderstorms in NYC. As I’m looking at alternates none of them are good then I see LGA-YYZ just got canceled. Called Delta and they managed to get me on WestJet from LGA-YYZ tonight so fingers crossed…
The grass is definitely not greener on the other side and especially so for me when most of my issues have been out of Delta’s control and I’ve just had really bad timing unfortunately.