Delta Air Lines
Reviews and Complaints

Be careful if you fly on Delta because if the plane is too heavy, the people who checked in first will have their bags left behind. We came early, had only one light bag each and had a simple flight for JFK to ATL. However, while people with giant boxes made of duct tape that were probably 75 lbs were walking off with their needless luggage, our clothes were left at JFK.

After waiting at the carousel for a long time (the bags did not come out for 30 minutes, then it took 15 minutes for the process to complete minus our bags...) we went to baggage claims along with about 5 other people. The rude and unapologetic woman in there tells me matter of fact like I should have known better that my bags were being loaded on the next flight! umm well I thought bags are supposed to come on your flight! Plus if they knew that this was the case, they should have sent someone over to tell the people there so I would not have to make my driver wait 45 minutes!

So I was told that we would have our bags delivered to our hotel later that night... Ok no harm. Well needless to say it is the next morning and I am still wearing the clothes from yesterday and my fiancée had to go to a meeting in the same state. We arrived late on a Sunday so it was not possible to buy clothes and we were told we would have our luggage last night.

This is unacceptable as Delta should have did anything possible to have our bags here last night as they are the ones that left our bags behind purposely because they overbook flights.

I haven't flown Delta years and now I regret coming back to Delta. My flight to Palm Beach, Florida from Phoenix, AZ was delayed 5 hours in Atlanta because the planes landing gear 'locked' light was not functional. This was flight #1412 on Tue Jan 29. They attempted to repair it and have us in the air in no time, which turned into a full blown repair, which turned into unrepairable and put us on the next flight out. I lost 5 hours, but these things happen. A week later, I arrive at PBI airport, board my flight back to Phoenix. This is flight 1578 on Mon Feb 4 scheduled to leave at 7pm. They hold the plane on the ground for 40 minutes, filling up the empty seats with passengers from a canceled flight to LGA. Now, my connecting flight to Phoenix is at 9:30, flight 1605 Gate E06, and we land and I rush off the plane and race to my gate only to discover the gate has been changed and is now A19, so I rush to that gate, I see the plane is still on the ground, I present my ticket, I am out of breath, my arms and legs hurt from hauling my luggage for a half mile across the atlanta airport and they tell me the plane door is closed and I cannot board. In the mean time, the new yorkers, who my plane was delayed for, have a flight leaving at 9:40 at the gate right next door to where we arrived. They all make their connection. I was told to go to the ticket counter to get a ticket to the next flight out of Phoenix, which I am told is 12 hours away.

This is unacceptable as I have a dentist appointment that I will be billed for if I do not appear. I am given a discount coupon to stay at a local hotel. I am not prepared to stay over night. I am a businessman and I have work to get done and now Delta is stealing 12 more hours of my time on top of the five they already took without my permission.

Delta could have held the connecting flight to phoenix for five minutes, just as they held my initial flight for the passengers of the canceled Delta flight to LGA. Clearly this is discrimination. Those on the canceled flight were given preferential treatment and caused an artificial delay created by Delta which has turned my schedule upside down and is costing me more than you can imagine! The lady 'Nicole', a large black woman, started to tell me my flight was delayed due to weather. I explained to her the flight was held so Delta could fill all the seats with passengers from the canceled flight and the weather was fine. She says Delta never holds flights for other passengers. I explained I was on the plane and I saw beautiful weather and saw passengers board after the doors of the plane were scheduled to be closed for a full forty minutes. She continued to provoke me and suggest I write in if I don't like and insisted weather was the cause of the delay. I asked for a supervisor immediately. Eventually I was given a complimentary hotel room, but I am still not in Phoenix. I can understand a delay of a couple hours once in a while, but this has effected me on each leg of my trip coming and going. How will Delta reimburse me for the 17 hours I have now wasted because Delta did not keep their commitment with me? I am requesting reimbursement also for my missed appointment, which was scheduled a FULL DAY after I was to arrive in Phoenix.

They replied:

Thank you for your e-mail describing the problem you experienced. Your time is valuable, and operating on schedule is equally important to us. However, in the process of operating scheduled service over many different routes each day, occasional mechanical malfunctions, adverse weather, and other interruptions to routine performance plans are unavoidable. These are situations faced by all airlines and no air carrier can guarantee that all flights will depart or arrive on schedule. Nevertheless, we are sorry you were inconvenienced.

We regret we did not meet your expectations on this occasion, and I can understand your frustration and disappointment. However, we hope you will understand that we do not reimburse the expenses you requested and must respectfully decline your request.

Please accept our apology for the unfavorable impression you received in this instance. We appreciate your selection of Delta and will always consider it a privilege to be of service.
Sincerely,
Daniel Tancak
Online Customer Support Desk
http://www.delta.com

Then I replied:

I find your response unacceptable and will be sharing this story with the listeners of my radio talk show each weekday throughout the rest of this month. I'll be sure that all of our nationwide and worldwide listeners know that it took Delta 33 hours to get me from Phoenix to Palm Beach and did not offer an explanation as to why new york passengers were given preferential treatment that caused an excessive delay.

Please cancel my Sky Miles account immediately, as I will never fly Delta again. I am also going to share this story everyday this month on my nationwide radio broadcast so my listeners can decide for themselves if they want to risk repeating my experience should they choose to fly Delta.

Please forward this message on to your superiors and I will forward it on to your PR company personally.

Delta Air Lines Corporate Communications
Richard H Anderson, Chief Executive Officer
Kent Landers
Director External Communications (US)
Betsy Talton
General Manager National Media Relations
Anthony Black
Senior Manager Regional Media Relations
Susan Chana Elliott
Senior Manager Regional Media Relations
Katie Connell
Senior Manager Lifestyle/Leisure Media Relations

And they replied:

We are very concerned about the unfortunate situation you described. Flying with Delta should be enjoyable, and I am sorry for any role we may have played which caused your travel experience to be otherwise. The inconvenience you experienced does not support our goal of providing a high level of service and value to our customers. Customer service is very important to us, and we are working hard to transform our company.

According to the rules of the program, the credit earned in your SkyMiles account will remain active until December 31, 2010. SkyMiles will not expire as long as there is qualifying activity at least once every two years. Within two years of inactivity with a zero balance the account will be closed.

We value the relationship you have with Delta Air Lines and would be delighted to have another chance to restore your trust and confidence in our service.
Sincerely,
Loren Byers
Online Customer Support Desk
http://www.delta.com

And I replied:

Please be aware that I am reporting this abusive cancellation and delay of planes to the FAA. The four flights I booked were all about half-full.

But after Delta manipulated the planes, 3 of the 4 planes were packed without a single seat. The financial reasons for this are obvious, but on the 3rd flight, it was reported in the Delta computer system that the flight was delayed due to weather, rather then the truth that the flight was delayed to make room for other passengers. That delayed the plane by more than 40 minutes and resulted with me arguing with a Delta Customer Service rep named Nicole who insisted the flight was delayed due to weather because that’s what her computer said. When I corrected her why the flight was delayed, her response was "I'm just telling you what my computer says." And my response was "I'm just telling you the real reason" and her response was "Well, that's my computer says" and my response was "well, I was actually on the plane and I know exactly why it was delayed" at which point another customer service rep offered to step in and Nicole said to her, "Oh no, I got this one." As if I was challenging her to fisticuffs! I asked to speak with a supervisor before the computer system mis-information was recognized.

Clearly the FAA has rules about this and I am going to do my best to ensure these questionable business practices of canceling and delaying fights by 12 hours just to fill a plane to capacity at the inconvenience of the passengers are brought to the attention of the FAA and my entire listening audience. I have a canceled dental appointment and an extra day of covered parking and a full day of lost work, all resulting from this artificially created delay practiced by your company to fill planes to capacity. I know Delta will never do this to me again, because I will never fly Delta again. Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me. I look forward to your next boilerplate reply.

Final response from Delta:

Thank you for your most recent e-mail. We regret your continued displeasure with our previous "boilerplate" responses.
However, we appreciate your feedback and encourage you to forward any additional comments to our corporate offices at the address below:

Delta Air Lines
Customer Care
P.O. Box 20980
Atlanta, GA [protected]
Thank you for the opportunity to give this matter our final review. Any additional correspondence via e-mail will be kept on file.
Sincerely,

Joy Blessing
Online Customer Support Desk
http://www.delta.com

I traveled in Delta Airlines from Columbus to NewYork, then was to travel from NewYork to Mumbai to Bangalore, India in Air India and my luggage remained in Columbus while I reached Bangalore. It has been more than 48 hours and one of my luggage that was last traced to be in Paris cannot be traced and the other is in the same condition. I am really disappointed with the Baggage service provided by Delta. This is not just me, two of my colleagues experienced the same and the bags were returned to them, they found a lot of expensive things missing in the baggage. Who is to be blamed for this...

Dear Family and Friends:

We have ridden Delta almost exclusively, and since we get Sky Miles and Double the miles with AMEX. we use them almost exclusively, but Delta has GONE, REALLY GONE DOWN HILL. I started flying Delta in 1965 when it was the premium Air Line in the world, to now, the one who is recording the most off time late, the worst at loosing luggage, and the most senseless costumer services agent. (This is what sunk the old Eastern Airlines) I use to live in Atlanta and remember the decline and fall of Eastern, and the excellence and rise of Delta. I am now watching the disintegration of an ONE TIME EXCELLENT AIRLINE.
We have flown 8 legs (maybe more) from Tampa to New York, to Kiev, from Kiev to NY. (five hour wait in JFK sitting on the plane, waiting on to go to Atlanta, then to Tulsa. From Tulsa to Atlanta,to NY Kiev. Then from Tampa to Atlanta, to New York to Kiev. And this fall, from Kiev to NY and to Atlanta (missed the only flight to Tulsa for the night, so I stayed all night and went from Tulsa on to and to Charlotte, to Houston, to Cincinnati to Tampa.
From Tampa to New York, diverted to Philadelphia, and three hours late to New York (the worst flight of a lifetime) 20 hours later, because a lie told in hotel reservations, we walked the streets of NY until tired and went back to the JFK.
We waited in line for 2 10 minutes to talk to a Delta agent, when we got there every international flight of the day was gone. We finally got re booked at 5:40 PM the next (Saturday) afternoon. So we ask Delta for help in getting a room. (They would not help because it was weather related and not their fault. At 12:30 AM we finally got a reservation agent with Best Western Inns that there was one room available for $495.00 a night but with a senior discount it would be less but he did not know how much less. He took our credit card number and we were thrilled. We took a New York taxi to downtown Manhattan at 1:00 AM. When we got to the Presidential Hotel by Best Western, our name was not there, and the hotel had NO ROOMS. IN ALL OF MANHATTAN, QUEENS, BROOKLYN OR JAMAICA THERE ARE NO ROOMS, AT ANY PRICE. So at 2:00 AM we are walking the streets of NY with a rolling carry on, and trombone. Get the picture. We have not eaten all day, so we stop in a little dinner on 48Th street, and do get a GREAT HAMBURGER AND FRIES. They were devoured. Now we are on the streets again flagging a taxi back to the airport.
I can tell you that Delta is not open all night. At 3:00 AM we went back to the airport. Terminal 1 is closed, terminal 2/3 is closed, terminal 3 (International flights) is closed, on 4 has an eating court, and all night is filled with wondering, weary passengers. We try to get to the Crown Room, Business Elite Lounge for frequent travelers. It opens at 5:00 AM but at 4:00 AM we found that we could not get a pass to clear security until 6 hours before the flight. What do we do from 4:00 AM till 11:00 AM to get a security pass to get to the Crown Room. THERE ARE NO CHAIRS. all terminals are being cleaned with floors being waxed, there is no place to sit, not in baggage claim. Finally, in one last desperate try, a young black agent, who could have lost his job, got for me and Dorothy a security pass, so we could get to the Crown Room. Not being a member, I had to pay of course, but they had food, comfortable chairs, a shower(with all the supplies needed). We re booked our flight to Paris and from Paris to Kiev. We sat all day in JFK Crown room with only cat naps, no sleep. At the Delta desk in the Crown room they assured me that my luggage was on this plane to DeGaulle in Paris. When the plan was two hours later taking off, we were late arriving in Charles DeGaulle airport, only to find that I am now with out a phone. (for the second time in a year, I lost my cell phone) When we did get to Kiev, 4 hours late, there WAS NO LUGGAGE AT ALL. It was 48 hours before we got home and a couple of hours to freshen up for bed. (50) hours! and EVERY FLIGHT ON DELTA, WITHOUT EXCEPTION WAS LATE, and the person ell, except for two, did not know what they were doing, or obstinate, or UNCONCERNED. Pilots LIE when there are problems. For instance, we will be ready to move in 1 minute just as our new paperwork arrives. O sorry, there is no traffic behind us. O we have a mechanical problem and will have to return to the gate, "It should take no longer than 14 minutes." Two hours later a tech shows up with a screwdriver and they actually announce they cannot find the hole to let the air in to begin the engine. After a hour and half wait, we fly on but are LATE. We were late taking off and landing 99% of the time. Then with the loss of my cell phone (with it and my email, they are my life for the UKRAINIAN HOPE MISSION) The loss of a cell phone is monumental.
I logged a complaint after the Tampa to Charlotte feisaco, and they answered me back with a $50 voucher to redeem. I guess that is $1.00 for each of the years I missed at my 50th class reunion. Believe it or not, we ARE STILL FLYING WITH DELTA because we have so much invested. Over 100,000 miles, AMEX Sky Miles account, The only direct flight to Kiev but out of JFK THE WORST AIRPORT IN THE UNIVERSE. Believe me, if I could make a change right this minute I sure would and NEVER, NEVER even look at Delta again. Customer Service hires people who cannot even speak or understand ENGLISH, for heaven's sake. There is NO compassion or upgrades or ANYTHING, but you can't, or you can't or no sir they will not let us, or OH YES, to only find they DO NOT KNOW what they are talking about. IT IS A UNIVERSAL MESS!
We had some great meetings while we were in the states. Great meetings at EMMAUS Missionary Baptist College. Westwood Missionary Baptist, Landmark Baptist in Bunnell, Cooper Road Baptist in Inverses, Landmark MBC in Madison, and Revival in Frontier Baptist in Angleton, TX, Men's District Fellowship in Angleton, Revival in Alvin MBC, and Sunday Morning at Calvary MBC in Baytown, TX. OH, the Holy Spirit anointing and power present in all of these meetings. I knew the devil would be active, but you can never conceive all that he can do, and God lets it happen to see if we are still depending on HIM or some other force. IT WILL BE OK! I will buy an new phone and start over on my phone list, if you will send me your essential phone numbers. The group of builders from Westwood will be here day after tomorrow, Tuesday, and I did get 6 hours of sleep before I wrote this.
Well, that is a small portion of the small saga of Bill and Dorothy Pennell's life and travels. We did not crash, we have each other and we have you wonderful family and friends. Our luggage will get here sometime and normality may come back into our lives for a day or two. Praise the Lord!
I am sorry that this is a generic letter, but I wanted all to know that we did make it back, a bit worn, but much more experienced.

Living In His Mercy, Seeking His Grace

Dr. Bill Pennell, President
UKRAINIAN HOPE MISSION
Phone: [protected]
Mission Email: [protected]@yahoo.com
Personal Email: bill.[protected]@yahoo.com

I have flown Delta Airlines for about 8yrs on business trips. I have gone through countless bags of luggage in their care. After filing complaint after complaint and being told baggage services by that Delta Airlines would not do anything to rectify the problem. Because my life has to go on, I just took it. Now that is not the case. After seeing the baggage crew in Atlanta, GA mistreat the luggage of the Delta customers next to our plane and then later that day finding my camcorder destroyed, I was livid. They have no regard or care about the property of their customers. I saw it with my own eyes. I could no longer sit by and allow this to continue.

Last August 31st, I was flying to Toronto from JFK, with a departure time set at 5.33pm. A few minutes before the time of boarding, a delay on our time departure was announced. So, we boarded one hour later.

Getting out of the gate took longer that usual because of the traffic, but we got a place in the line to take off. We had been in the plane for about an hour, really close to take off, when we received an announcement from the pilot stating that we needed to return to the gate since the flight attendant was about to exceed her maximum time of work for that day. But we were told there was another flight attendant ready to board as soon as we get to the gate.

It took us a really long time to get out of the line and there were no available gates so we had to wait for about another hour. By the time we managed to reach one, there was no one waiting to replace our flight attendant, so we had to wait for another hour.

In the meantime, we received another announcement from the pilot, saying that the First Officer was also reaching his maximum working time for the day. Therefore, we needed another replacement, and this lead to another unnecessary delay.

When all the crew was finally on the plane, there was some paperwork to be done, refilling the fuel etc. Then, the line of planes was not reduced so we spent over an hour taxing and managed to take off after midnight and arrived in Toronto airport around 2 am, after an incredible seven-hour delay.

The weather was perfect that day, in NYC, Toronto as well as in between, as our Pilot confirmed. Even though there was air traffic, all the planes were taking off and landing.

What is hard to understand is Delta’s incapacity to manage its staff efficiently:

Susan, the flight attendant allegued she had given heads up that morning about the possibility of exceeding her working hours. And even if she hadn’t, considering the delays we were already suffering, it had to be obvious for Delta and the rest of the crew that they were going to exceed their working hours. How is it possible that they had to wait until being actually overworking to call a replacement?
None of this nightmare had happened, if Delta had gotten replacements before boarding.

Furthermore, it’s inexcusable the way he passengers were treated by Delta airlines, that showed no interest for the passengers’ comfort:

We were delayed for 7 hours, 6 of which we were held IN the plane (before taking off).

The condition of the restrooms was disgusting. Since we boarded, all passengers had to use perfume to be able to use the restrooms, since they smelled and had no sufficient sanitary conditions.

Although I requested Low sodium meals, we all passengers had salty peanuts, salty crackers and mineral water as only options. Only after we complained for over 4 hours, we received sodas.

The staff did nothing to satisfy my requests (and other passengers’) to organize something to eat (sandwiches etc). Since we were waiting (for the crew’s replacement) at the gate for 3 hours, a catering service could have been easily arranged.

I (as well as other passengers) specifically requested Delta’s crew to ask Delta Airlines for Delta representatives in Toronto to satisfy our needs once we get there. Many passengers had missed connecting flights, reservations at hotels, and I missed my pre-booked shuttle to Niagara Falls.

But when we got to Toronto there was only one Delta representative waiting for us, who didn’t do anything, impotent of helping us after a seven-hour delay. All the passengers were discouraged to try to get immediate transportation, alleging it would be faster to make our own arrangements and then ask Delta for a refund.

Therefore, my boyfriend (who had been driving from the US for over 8 hours and surprisingly still reached Niagara before I did) had to drive all the way from Niagara to pick me up in Toronto Airport.

Based on the paragraphs above, I think it’s proved Delta has no capabilities to fulfill schedules’ commitments or to treat passengers accurately.

Thinking it was easier to book flights on line with Delta I fell into the trap. I booked two tickets on line for flights from Portland, OR to Cincinatti. I also booked hotel reservations with the Hilton which is a service available with the Delta on-line service. There was my mistake.

Before the travel dates I learned the client had already booked and paid for our rooms at the Hilton. I called Hilton and canceled the reservations I had made on line with Delta. I received the confirmation numbers for the cancellations. Then I received my American Express bill and found out "Delta.com" had charged me $378.28 for the hotel rooms we had reserved but canceled. I called Delta customer service "I'm sorry sir, you will have to talk to Hilton" then I called Hilton and they advised "we didn't charge you, Delta did, you need to call Delta."

Again I called Delta, and each and every time I got some one that could barely speak English, I could not understand them. I kept trying, finally someone answered that I could at least understand a little better. The Delta representative once again told me it was not their problem and referred me to their "outside vendor" who handles all their on-line services. I was once again sent to India to talk to someone I could not understand. That person once again sent me back to Hilton for the refund.

I challenged the charges with American Express, but Delta maintained the charges would not be refunded. I am once again challenging the challenge.
The Point of all of this is DO NOT BOOK ON-LINE you are 10 times better off to book with a travel agent who speaks English and can get these problems resolved. I cannot believe the time, effort and frustration of trying to get this fixed.

I will never, ever book tickets on-line with Delta. Cannot speak for the other airlines in this regard, but Delta has certainly found interesting ways to screw with their customers.

Delta airlines flight delay and poor customer service

I purchase 2 round trip tickets for my son and his girlfriend on june 27th for a flight on july 20th. On both the flight to tampa and from tampa they were delayed for a total of 24 hours. When I contacted delta I got no one that cared and the supervisor greg moore was not just uncaring but rude. With the you're just screwed attitude! We have been offered no compensation for our trouble and they could care less that my son spent 24 hours of his vacation in airports trying to make a 3 hour flight. Delta should be held responsible for the problems they cause their customers. No one I know will ever fly delta again!

Thank you,
Lisa boothe

We have a very serious complaint about the operation of Delta Ailines and want this letter to be brought to the attention of management. We now also have firsthand experience of the widely reported poor maintenance of Delta aircraft, causing great discomfort and resulting in lies and bad behavior of ground personnel due to very annoyed clients/passengers on April 12&13, 2007 at JHB Airport. We were booked on DL 035 that was supposed to depaert a 18:45 on April 12, 2007. At approximately 15:30 we were booked in at the Delta counter and went through customs at about 17:00 and arrived at gate 7 at approx. 17:15. There were only a few seats, about 32, for all the passengers for a full plane available in the waiting area at gate 7. Ground personnel arrived at about 17:15 and stood around. Until about 18:30 the ground personnel did not communicate any delay or anything else to the passengers. When some passengers started getting annoyed one of the ground personnel finally informed the passengers, of whom most have to stand or sit on the ground, that there was a delay due to the engineers having to replace an important part in the aircraft (doing maintenance) but they expect to board in a few minutes. For the next almost two hours the boarding time was extended after phonecalls (or the impression of calls) was made with 10 min at every request of an annoyed passenger.

At about 20:15 the flight personnel started serving refreshments, promising everyone who asks that the engineers are almost finished and that we will board soon. At 21:30 the manager arrived for the first time and informed the passengers that it will still take sometime and request them to go to the Ekaya lounge to have super to the value of R25 at the airlines cost (this R25 could only buy a small plate of chips or a sandwich) Communication was very poor and almost non-existent and never was the passengers properly informed by a senior member as to the exact problem. Finally at approx. 24:10 the manager appears for only the second time and said the aircraft is ready but all have to board within 30 minutes. At 01:10 on April 13, 2007 all passengers were boarded and in their seats. At about 01:30 the passengers were requested to disembark due to two reasons; 1. The paper work to approve the repairs from Atlanta could not be obtained, and 2. The flight personnel can not proceed with the flight because they ran out of their scheduled time. We were told to collect all our luggage at arrival and that we will be booked into hotels at that counter. This action took until approx. 03:15 and my wife and I only arrived at the hotel and was booked in at about 04:15. We got up at about 09:00 and had breakfast at 09:30. During breakfast we were told that the buses will leave for the airport at 11:00 and that we will definitely board at 16:00 and we are scheduled to fly out at 17:00.

We spend the rest of that day, April 13, standing in queues in the lobby trying to book new seats. We finally arrived at gate 7 at about 15:15, again there was only a few seats available, even less than the previous day after the whole day's standing in queues. Once again there was no communication until the passengers started to really get annoyed, after 45 minutes passed the time that we were scheduled to board. The ground personnel again started to lie about boarding, like the previous day, to every passenger that asks what was going on and ignored requests that a senior manager or the captain come and explain what is going on. It really started getting nasty when the annoyed and tired passengers and personnel started shouting at each other, Delta airport security started shouting threads that unhappy passengers will be removed and unloaded from the aircraft. Due to this chaos some passenger demand to be unloaded, others signed a petition/demand that the passengers scheduled for Apr 12, be allowed to board the plane that arrived on 16:00 Apr 13, and that the passengers scheduled for that days flight wait for the broken plane to be repaired. This requests was refused by the manager when he finally arrived at about 18:10 to address the passengers, after numerous threads and shouting etc. the manager told the passengers that he will establish exactly how long it will take and when we will board and that he will report within 15 minutes. At about 18:25 the manager and flight captain arrived and the captain told us that the part that was fitted the previous night was not accepted by Atlanta and had to be replaced with one that arrived on that afternoon flight from Atlanta. He said that the engineers had done the job and were just finishing of and he stated categorically that the plane was ready and fit to fly and that boarding will start shortly. At about 18:35 we started to board and was seated at 18:55. Approximately 19:00 the captain addressed the passengers, once again apologizing and informing us that there is a 10 to 15 min delay due to the weather causing a back-up of flights. AT THIS STAGE MY WIFE'S NERVES CRACK AND SHE COULD TAKE NO MORE. She told me that if there was another delay she will not fly with that aircraft and she will get off. All this time the entrance door was not closed nor did we start taxiing, about 20 minutes later the captain again came on the air and told us that the back-up was now even longer and we are delayed another 40 minutes. Immediately my wife unbuckled and went to the stewardesses, she confronted them and ask them to look her in the eye and tell her that they are not still busy working on the aircraft. All she was told was "not to worry" she then requested to disembark and came and fetch her hand luggage, greeted me and went out. The attendant ladies then came and ask me to disembark, I asked them why, and they told me that my wife suggested that we both are disembarking. Knowing how tense all the passengers were, I did not want to create a further fuss or commotion and unbuckled, got up collect my handluggage and walked out. I WAS UNLAWFULLY REMOVED FROM THE AIRCRAFT, I NEVER REQUESTED TO DISEMBARK NOR DID I BEHAVE BADLY NOR DID I BROKE ANY FLIGHT RULES OR REGULATIONS. We went to arrivals and only received our luggage at about 21:00. We finally departed for the USA on April 16, 2007 on flight DL 035 after that flight was also delayed for more than two hours causing us to miss our connecting flight on Atlanta to San Diego, we had to wait for the rest of the day on the airport until 16:40 when we finally could get two seats. This resulted in great discomfort for the people that have to came and collect us at San Diego, wasting their whole day for we only arrived at the at about 18:30 and we should have landed at 10:00.

In terms of International Airtravel Law a full refund and other compensation have to be made if a delay of more than a certain time occurs, therefore before I revert to legal action, the media and the internet I want to know whether Delta is prepared to; 1. Re-schedule our return flight that is booked for August 3, 2007 to August 26, without any additional cost to us because we have to re-schedule all our appointments in the USA. And this is to be blamed on the poor condition of maintenance of Delta aircraft... 2. Reimburse us for all the delays that caused all the stress and re-sheduling of various appointments... 3. extend our insurance cover with "Worldwide Leisure & Business travel insurance" Policy number 333120 to August 28, 2007 at Delta's cost... 4. tell us how will Delta reimburse us for all the miscomfort, stress and unnecessary fights between the two of us, that was indirectly caused by the unfortunate happenings of April 12 to 17. And what is Delta prepared to do to keep us as future clients, seeing that we fly a lot.

It came to our knowledge that the flight DL 035 of April 13, was also delayed up to 04:44 on April 14, due to maintenance problems. We want to stress that this ad hoc maintenance of aircraft is totally unacceptable for the flying public and will ultimately result in something bad that might happen in future.

A similar letter to this message was faxed to Delta in SA, JHB airport on April 14 but we received no reply up to now. We urgently await a clear reply in writing from Delta management addressing all the issues raised. Our current Postal Address is; 28615 N - 26th Drive, Phoenix, AZ 85085 and my e-mail address is as stated above, [protected]@yahoo.com

Wednesday May 16th Delta Flight 1766 was the flight from hell. It was a rainy afternoon and all seemed well. !80 passengers boarding plan as planned. Taxiing took about 30mins due to weather and other airline traffic. Finally our plane approached the runway for take off. As the engines roared just before take off, the dam brakes locked. Yep. it was horrific. People panicking, screaming out of control. The plan appeared to fish tail to the right a bit, possibly due to wet conditions. I thought this was the end. Immediately the plane corrected. The pilot informed us that the planes computer detected problem with left engine so sensor applied auto brakes in which pilot quickly disengaged and brought plane to rest manually. Well after another 40mins of taxiing plane back to maintenance and waiting we de-boarded and all 180 passengers bumped another flight that was going from atlanta to alaska. Needless to say they were not happy. Much confusion and little direction another 30mins or so we boarded. As we set and waited we applauded our pilots as they boarded. Damn 20 mins later they left the plane. Another 15-20mins went but and the stewardess informed us according to FAA regulations, those pilots exceeded their hours fr the day. WTF! Well we remained seated, 15 mins later we were informed that flight attendant message new pilots to take flight. Well 30mins later, after I demanded update, stewardess informed us that those piolts received message to late and responded to another flight. So a third set of pilots were contacted. This id fricken ridiculous. At this time $7 dllar vouchers ( no airport meal under $10) were given to extremely pissed of passengers and we were deboarded waiting for pilots. 40 mins later a new set of pilots arrived not pleased at all about flying to west coast. you know they should keep their comments to themselves. Many of us overheard thoer dis-pleasure. Well we soon boarded and set another 30 mins or so and finally pilots arrived. Another 20 mins gone by as we staged to depart. Damn not done yet. I set in aisle 24, above the wing and low and behold I heard a knocking noise. I asked the lady next to me to confirm. Indeed a noise that wasn't right. Wasn't sure what to do. i did flag stewardess as and she set in empty seat next to me as plane left ground. I told her listen and about every 20-30 mins this knocking sound would happen. She heard and was unsure, calling it a rudder noise. WTF! She tried to comfort us by telling us if serious the problem would flag the pilots and plane would landed. Lord help us I never prayed so hard in my life. $ and 1/2 hours later we landed in Ontario, Cal. Never in my life had have such an terrible flying experience. The maintenance, customer service, pilots, everything was against us. I work for Boeing in anahiem and to travel occasionally. I have yet to register complaint to my travel management and thought I'd give you guys a chance to respond. Anticipation...

In Panama, if you are not in line 2 hours before departure time, you aren't getting in line, period. No discussion. You missed your flight. The airport here is small and an hour or 90 minutes is plenty of time - even to have a cup of coffee and shop and have a nap but not according to Delta. Even if every other carrier somehow manages it. This is completely ridiculous. I've gone through, been in line more than 2 hours early and then had to sit and wait for ages. Maybe they have a deal with the duty free vendors or coffee shop... I wish there were more alternatives.

My family was scheduled to take Delta flight from LAX to HNL on 5/18/07 at 8:15AM for our Hawaii vacation. We were at airport 40 minutes before the departure time. I cannot checking to get boarding pass on self-checking machine, I was directed to the Delta direct counter, where they told me that we missed plane and there was nothing they can do to help me to get on this plane. Instead, they tried to book me with next plane with triple the price. I was so mad, they refused to issue the boarding pass to me 40 minutes before departure time. There were no indication of 45 minute checking cut off time in my E-ticket.

At the end, I think it is outrageous to pay triple price $3600 ($1300 per ticket) for next day flight. So we went home sadly. Everyone was so disappointed, specially my kid.

After we told our experience to one of the our friend who worked in airline industry, she said that 45 minutes checking rule is only for self-checking machine, not for on the counter. We should be able to get boarding pass through the checking counter. Another friend told us they had similar experience with Delta, which cost all their sky mile points to book the second flight.

I was so angry by knowing this. I felt so stupid that I trusted the Delta people that they were doing the best to help their customers. Actually the Delta people just try to ripe off their customers. No wonder Delta was just exit the bankruptcy. Mark my word, they will bankrupt again soon. I will do my best to avoid the Delta airline in the future.

To: delta airlines - customer care division

Regarding: # 56 ex narita – japan 4/28/2007 – declared emergency

Passenger – tony w piche

Please find below my issue regarding the flight and most importantly what delta did (or did not do) following that occurance.

# 56 was full, and on take off ahead of a big storm, we had 4 rapid high compressor failures upon takeoff
And the pilot his support crew and the cabin staff were professional and top drawer. a huge hat tip to delta
For that side of it – very professional and making it count when they needed to.
I cant say that for the rest of delta from that point onwards.

We disembarked @ 17.30 and until 20.10 were in line at the airport being attended to by 3 folks 2 delta the rest jal staff to get accommodation sorted (you do the time math per customer), with a promise delta would contact us during the night about what to do tomorrow morning (via a note under the door) however that night or the the next morning :- nothing…. I call delta number that was provided, for 2 hours –no answer.

I eventually call my wife in the usa – (the hilton had said we need to check out the hotel), to see what was going on? she tells me that delta had booked me on a flight for monday afternoon. and I needed to go to the airport to get a delta hotel voucher for sunday night. I ntalk to some others and they have been put on flights korean air, united that day –sunday. to usa.

I go and do my own thing and eventually get a flight out on american air @ 18.00 sunday night arriving at my home on sunday 21.30 in cinci.

So, shame on you – delta.
for
- not taking full care of me, as a professional company that you claim to be.
- exceptionally poor communication (once we were off the airplane)
- I even live in one of your hubs – and american beats you on your own doorstep.. shame again.
- for no follow-up – how are you, sorry, nothing! (I am obviously a non event, just a nebulous pax)
- add injury to insult you remove that leg of my sky-miles even though we were wheels up!

Rest assured I am not even sure i’ll hear back from you. but all my friends, colleagues will hear from me about you.

Tony piche’
Paul mueller company
Springfield mo.

The flight was a declared emergency (high side compressor failure on r engine - boeing 777) crew were fantastic.

However, that is were it stopped. from there until we found our own way on the 29th on a american airlines flight tothe usa. shocking attitude regarding hotel voucher, and return flight. I called my wife stateside & delta in nairta were non answerable. I could not wait unitl monday 30th, on top of that even though we were airborne and endured a stressful beginning I see that delta has my flights as still "open" and has not granted flight miles even though we officially departed?
Delta's poor attitude to follow through and customer service is perhaps reflective of their actual care to customer care. I would like a response to your poor customer care and how in future delta will take care of me?

I would like to lodge a formal complaint in to the way my 1st Class booking on Delta Airways for compensation, as it was a disaster from start to finish. I would like to set up my complaint in paragraphs to explain to you what happened from my booking to arriving back in the USA flying Delta.

A) My company had accumulated around 250,000 Delta air miles, When I checked with Delta I was told I would need 90,000 Air Miles for a 1st Class ticket to Manchester England I booked the ticked, paid the taxes and was scheduled to leave on the 2nd Feb Flight Delta 1584 to Kennedy Airport New York to get my transfer on Flight Delta 154 to Manchester England as I had to be at a very important Trade show in Birmingham at the NEC for Sunday. So I booked a 1st class ticket to make sure I had priority in my seating and baggage, and 1st class service by Delta.
B) My Son David Kassar and his wife Denise Kassar also was trying to fly with me but when he tried to book the same flights Delta told him the flight was fully booked and he had to go on continental via Atlanta which we were not happy about and now I was flying by my self and my family were on a different flight/airline.
C) On arriving at Orlando Airport my son was flying 1 hour before me, so we arrived together. My check in for 1st class was good took around 10-15 minutes in line. But my son was in a line for 1-½ hours as the line was so long. I explained to a Delta agent that I had a 1st class ticket and was trying to be with my family and asked them, as a courtesy if my family could check in at the 1st class counter as there was now no line. They said NO he had to wait 1-½ hours like the rest of them. So I waited in the airport until they checked in. Now it was to late to get together as their flight was boarding in 30 minutes. Got no help from Delta with this situation.
D) This is where the trouble all started. The outgoing flight never arrived on time; I was told you had to change the plane and gate. We were around 45 minutes late in take off so when we landed in New York I only had around 45 minutes for my connection. I was now very worried about my baggage as I had all my work in for the Trade show to I asked a Delta agent if there would be any problems with my connecting flight in regards to getting my baggage on board. They told me they only needed 15 minutes from arrival to get luggage transferred. I thought this was unusual so when we finally arrived late in Kennedy airport I quickly went to 2 other Delta agents to check with them on my baggage. Both of them told me not to worry as they were aware of the late arrival and my baggage will be on the plane. NOT TRUE!
E) When I boarded both the planes the 1st plane to JFK I guess was only half full, and the plane to the UK was about 2/3rds full. So I was very upset why my Son and Daughter in law could not get a ticket on these flights as Delta had told him both flights were fully booked and there were no more seats on both the planes
F) Well guess what! Arrived in Manchester England waited for all the baggage on the carousel and NO BAGGAGE. An agent for Delta came over asked me my name and said “ Sorry your baggage is still in New York” I explained to him how carefully I had contacted Delta agents in New York to make sure my baggage was loaded on to the aircraft and he said “Sorry cant do anything about it” I told him all my work was in my case for a Trade Show on Sunday . He said he does not think I will be able to get my luggage to Sunday afternoon.
G) On Sunday afternoon around 12.30pm my luggage arrived by courier, it was now to late to go to the show in Birmingham. I had over 7 appointments set up that day to see supplies of ours that I could not reach as I did not have phone numbers for them as my cell phone was packed in my baggage. Also my Son who had arrived in the UK with his wife was now not able to go to the Show as all the show details, Passes, etc were in my case that never arrived.
H) On my return I checked in okay at Manchester airport, got to JFK on time, and then the problems started all over again. I was told there was a mechanical problem with the plane from JFK to Orlando so there will be a 2-hour delay. I arrived at JFK at around 1.30 pm . I waited almost 7 hours to get my connection. Then we were told we had to get a bus to the aircraft. I was holding a 1st class ticked. I was put on a bus (Standing Room Only) and then my priority boarding never happened I was just in a line with another 100+ passengers. The plane finally took off at around 7.45 pm.
I) When I arrived at Orlando my baggage being 1st Class should have had priority handling. I was almost the last person to get my baggage. The 1st Class Service you offered never happened.

My wife and I were going to Cozumel on a scuba diving trip. We were to fly from Orlando to Atlanta onto Cozumel. The first plane we were to fly on had mechanical problems, the second had mechanical problems and showed up late to Orlando. We missed our connecting flight to Cozumel. They flew us instead to Cancun telling us they would get us to Cozumel. When we landed in Cancun a Delta rep. put us in a taxi and told us he would take us to Playa. From there he would get us on the fairy boat to Cozumel. Instead we were dropped off in Playa no idea where we were with all of our dive gear at 10:00 P.M. We paid the taxi and boat but were told by Delta to bad about the cost out of pocket. Also the lost night at the resort and missed day of diving that was paid for. Customer service was even worse.

On 10/15/2006 my Father died. That was near when my wife and I planned a flight.

We were assured that we could reschedule with a copy of a death certificate. That certificate was faxed to My Lynn Duncan at least four times in the last ten weeks.

To date I have emailed, called, faxed so often they must think I am nuts. But nobody calls back even though when we call a voice reassures us THIS time they will.

Our only contact from Delta was from Michael Barzey a manager in "Customer Care" saying they never received my Dads death certificate. I faxed and emailed it again...probably into a black hole.

Delta Airlines are liars and they RIPPED ME OFF!

I have two complaints concerning Delta airlines. Both occurred on the same trip. My first complaint is concerning Delta Airlines was on July 26, 2006. Upon arriving to Seattle on flight 1115, it took 1 hour and 45 minutes to get our luggage. We were repeatedly told over the speaker that the luggage would arrive momentarily and directed to a new baggage claim unit. One person was told by an airport employee that four cars of luggage had just been sitting without anyone unloading. Another delta flight arrived after ours and received their luggage 45 minutes before us.

We traveled as early as we did that day so that we could visit Mt. Rainer while on that end of Seattle. By the time we got our luggage, the time needed to make such a trip was lost. Delta's employee encouraged me to call [protected] as he noted that this incident was “ridiculous and needed to be reported.” When I spoke to your representative via telephone, I was told that such a wait time was “acceptable.” I hope the appropriate people at Delta disagree with her assessment.

My second complaint concerning Delta Airlines was on Aug. 1, 2006 and stretched well into Aug. 2, 2006. Delta actually added a stop to our flight home at the last minute. We were to go directly from Atlanta to Raleigh on flight 1110. At the last moment before boarding, we were informed that we would be making an extra stop in Greensboro, NC to drop off a group of teenagers. We did make such an extra stop. That is not the service I paid for. I paid for a direct flight and that is not what I received.

Since we were traveling with young children, the delays caused by Delta's choice of added stops created great hardship on our children who were not fed properly and were kept up past bed time far exceeding even the Pacific time zone.

Michelle Schrader with customer care returned a polite but completely dismissive letter to me on Aug. 24, 2006. No compensation of any sort was made.

My family has made numerous flights subsequent to the events of late July. WE DID NOT FLY WITH DELTA, AND WILL NOT AGAIN UNTIL COMPENSATION IS MADE. The experience was entirely too ridiculous and unprofessional. I have often wondered why Southwest is making money and Delta is often rumored in bankruptcy. I now know why.