What do you think of Delta Airlines?

[tva164]

I have used Delta (Economy class) sometimes and found them very upsetting on occassions. Do others have similar experiences with the airline? I am not sure about their US service, but outside of the US, their ground staff can be a serious upsetting factor on your trips....anyway . .more on this from you please....

[Julian]

Only problems with Delta was trying to board (Heathrow-LA), first they didnt like the fact that I had been to both Greece and Egypt and then when I said I was an engineern the ground crew flipped - went and got her supervisor who grilled me even more before she agreeded I want a threat. Then got to checkout desk, usual stock question icluding any electrical goods - didnt like the fact I was carryoing a dive computer and wanted the battery out of it. Spent next 15mins explainging it was a sealed unit and wouldnt turned on unless it was submerged anyway - and if Delta was going to inform me that is was their intention to submerge the plane I wouldnt be getting on it anyway!!!

My prize for worst airline goes to United - consistantly lose my baggage!! :mad:

[VeeAny]

I've flown Delta on two trips now both involving a connecting flight.

Both were late, both involved lost bags.
One involved an unexpected night stop both inbound and outbound (which having been given travel vouchers is the only reason we used them again for the next flight).

Gate staff tell you one story, then when you go to see the guys who actually do the ticketing they tell you another and speak to you like you are stupid (perhaps I am).

The old saying you pay peanuts you get Monkeys.

Obviously some people will have godd experiences but we won't be using them again.

(Sorry Danny if this is deemed to be out of order, but it is true (and provable)).

Cheers

V.

[SLF@LBA]

Perhaps we've just been lucky - flown them a few times on their now discontinued MAN-JFK service and everything went fine. Flying next month on DL MAN-ATL and on to various points in the US . . . fingers crossed!

[tva164]

Here's my story...

I was travelling with my wife and infant son on the FRA - BOM sector. We had, as usual, made all arrangements to be given the bulkhead seats with bassinets, and special meals as we are vegetarians. We reached the gate about 2 hours before departure to ensure things go well . . the flight arrives, and the ground staff realise that boarding passes had to be issued, so the tedious process starts. They announce each name individually to come and pick up their boarding passes, we wait and wait, but don't hear my name being called. A couple of enquiries at the desk would just send me back to my seat with the remark "We'll call you soon sir". As the departure time approached, much to my surprise, they start boarding passengers by row numbers!! When I threw a fit about the treatment, they look up my name and issue us a pass but in different seats!! Because by this time there wasn't much choice. I asked them if they had a policy of seating pax with infants first and they said yet . .but here I was infant in hand, fighting to get on the plane. When I brought my predicament to their attention, they gave us bulkhead seats and let us enter. These seats were occupied by a handicapped person accompanied by an escort. The flight crew asked them to vacate the seats for us and sent them to the back of the plane. Seated and all strapped in for puchback, someone in the flight crew suddenly gets a flash in her head and asks us to vacate the seats. Why? Because there was another lady with a child in the same row which made it three adults and two infants, and there were only 4 oxygen masks in case of an emergency. Valid point, but don't the ground counter staff who assign seats know these rules? I'm sorry this is getting too long, but in the end, we ended up in an obscure seat at the back, with the baby travelling for 9 hours on our laps and by our feet when possible, in a cardboard "bassinet" and the poor handicapped passenger also facing a similar situation somewhere at the rear. Spoke with other pax on the flight who were coming in from JFK, and they had horror stories to tell too. Delta haven't changed, but I have. I never travel them anymore.

[ops_bored]

SLF@LBA?
I used to work LBA, now @ MAN

re: DL
I flew with them in march, and out of 2 trans atlantic, 6 internal flights,
I only missed 1 connection! (and my bags were at my final dest. before me)

call me lucky! :p

[ExSimGuy]

GF can go the extra mile!

Flying GF/AA from the Mid-East to BOS, they managed to lose my baggage for (about) 5 days. Only when I explained that I was wearing my daughter's tee-shirts and her flat-mate's coat and had to be at a business meet in SEA the next day and would have to buy a suit, did they manage to get my baggage to me "mis-handled in BAH".

Next trip was Mid-East to LHR, and a 5 hour "connection time in BAH" had an extra 12 hours added to it as they "couldn't find an aircraft for us" (how the hell do you lose an A340!?!) The only "plus point" was that they actually had one suitcase arrive at LHR at the same time as I did (pity about the other one!) I arrived at the Xmas Gat Bash rather smelly and with nothing to change into!

Having decided that I would never fly GF again (despite they USED to be one of my favorite carriers), I had an urgent "warranty replacement" flown out from UK to the Mid-East and the freight agent booked it GF. 6 days after it was booked LHR-BAH, they admitted it had been "mishandled" in LHR and had now been "found" and would be on the next flight. Almost another week passed before it actually arived in BAH! I might have got it almost as fast SEA freight!

The GF agent here (RUH) was "not allowed" to give me a phone number for GF manager in BAH and he doesn't seem to have email. I'll keep you all posted as to the reaction to my request that the entire freight charge be refunded due to their total incompetence (or their handlers at LHR) over this shipment.

DL - you got real competition!

[OO-AOG]

I flew them a couple of time both domestic and transatlantic, I think the service is quite good, above US average.

[slj]

Julian

Not surprised you had difficulty boarding Delta LHR - LA

They don't fly from LHR or did you mean LGW or a codeshare?

[radeng]

I haven't flown Delta for years - not since an SJC to Salt Lake City flight had to wait for a mechanic to drive during the morning rush hour from SFO to SJC because they (according to the announcement) got the fuel cap jammed. The delay was such that in the end, we cancelled the whole day trip - and the meeting with the customer.

[OldAg84]

As someone who has flown almost a million miles (average 100,000+/year, although less lately)on Delta; I may be biased. It is interesting the looks I get when the lead agents comes from behind the counter and gives me a hug. (It's a she- just fending off all the potential PPrune comments!).

In any case, we had a good conversation regarding airline service. I told her I think Delta's service is better than most- I've flown enough on others to have a feel for it. But I also told, overall service has declined- almost to the point where-in my case- chasing Frequent Flyer miles is a non-issue.

Realistically, what can one expect when flying halfway across the US for $209! Roundtrip! However, she said, "people still expect high levels of service- when they are paying next to nothing!" But Southwest, nobody grouses about the lack of amenities- note I did not say lack of service- there is a difference.

Frankly- between DL and WN if you are in coach- if you can get past the boarding process- they are about the same.

Lower your expectations and you won't be disappointed.

[GlueBall]

DL domestic (USA) coach service is practically zero. You'll be lucky to get a second coffee refill. However, DL domestic ground staff are usually knowledgeable and efficient. DL foreign station personnel usually are poorly trained low paid employes without decision making authority. For the simplest decision they have to check with the station manager. If you don't want to worry about conection baggage, travel light and use two regulation size carry-on bags. For international travel the best way is British Airways! And I am not a British subject, mind you.
Cheers. :rolleyes: