No, you will not be able to use the buddy pass on the KLM flight.

Better ask the employee to answer questions related to the use of buddy passes.

While this doesn't cover that question, Delta does have some FAQs posted online for those using Buddy Passes: http://travelinfo.delta.com/dlnonrev/TravelGuide.htm

Delta Buddy Pass ATL -> CDG
 

Hi everyone! I have a question about buddy passes... I am moving to France in a few weeks, and have a confirmed flight ATL -> CDG. My husband is moving in a couple months, but would like to head over with me initially to get things set up. We have a friend who's offered to get us a buddy pass for him (friend's dad is a Delta pilot).

I've read something about buddy passes being valid only on "Delta Metal" but I'm not clear on what that means... AirFrance is listed as the operator on almost all the flights on Delta's site... does that mean those flights can't be used with buddy pass? There is one that is Delta only (the 3:15, DL 28)... is this the only possible flight?

What are the chances of getting on a flight like that standby in late June? Thanks for you help!

Sorry, I realized this was probably the wrong forum...

mod alert sent for move to dl....

"Delta metal" means that "Delta" must be painted on the plane. It cannot be Air France.

You are correct that his only non-stop option is DL 28.

Thanks... am I missing anything obvious that's non-stop?

cvg-cdg is non stop on dl....

If you plan to use a Delta buddy pass to Paris in late June and return in July, my sincere recomendation would be NOT TO EVEN THINK ABOUT IT. Seriously. The chances of him making it on his first (or second or third) choice of flights is somewhere between slim and none. Don't do it.

Moving thread to the Delta Forum.
Obscure2k
TravelBuzz Moderator

I second this opinion. I have several friends who work for DL. Check what the price would be for the buddy pass (it isn't even close to free), and then look at the cost of a coach ticket. The difference will most likely be so minor that it would be worth the extra to have the guaranteed seats on the flight he wants!

This is sensible. Husband would be flying in the season when TATL flights are overbooked and as a buddy, he would have lower priority than employees, retirees, and family nonrevs. Plus it wouldn't be fun to sit around airports day after day hoping that his standby will clear or being forced to purchase an expensive last minute ticket.

Plus delta has added fuel surcharges to buddy passes this year, so even more additional cost!

That's not necessarily the case on cost, heavy flight loads & close proximity to travel dates mean the cheap seats are likely gone, making the buddy pass a better deal. However, I would also echo other sentiments that it's going to be pretty tough, even if the OP's husband has a lot of flexibility & a lot of patience. There are a few flights here & there in the next few weeks where he might make it, but without ready access to the DL system to track that, he could end up hanging out at airports way more than he wants.

Though if he really wants to go & is willing to travel separately, you might have better chances via BRU or other alternate (not LHR), then trains to/from Paris. If your friend can look up some options on the specific days you're aiming to travel it might help change your mind either way. Just know that what the system may tell you today can change in a couple of weeks, from seats being sold to other non revs listing for flights in the days or even hours before travel who could bump him further down the list.

If you go for it, pray for ATL thunderstorms the day you travel. Miss-connects are a non revs best friend!

For the buddy pass, AFAIK the payment is for a specific "ticket" so that switching from CDG to BRU would require reissue and perhaps a change in payment; the same might even be true for changing from the ATL-CDG nonstop to a connection through CVG, for exampe. (The taxes surely would change, just as they do on award and revenue tickets.) Can the buddy pass holder make such changes or must they go through an employee? If the latter, then the options would further be limited because the friend's pilot father or whoever might not be available when the OP is able to find a seat that might work. Or is this not a concern, with the buddy pass rider having control of it and being able to reissue and pay and differences at will?