Delta Air Lines expects to fly nearly 2.8 million customers over the five-day Memorial Day holiday period, the unofficial kickoff to summer adventure. That’s a 17% increase over 2022 – and more significantly, with an average of 560,000 passengers a day, is expected to exceed the pre-pandemic holiday travel volume logged in 2019.
Click through for a by-the-numbers look at all the ways Delta plans to serve its customers over the Memorial Day weekend, and what you can expect anytime you fly with us.
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A message to Delta SkyMiles members from CEO Ed Bastian: More to enjoy this summer
There’s an energy in the air. It’s a feeling of joy and anticipation for the summer ahead. And with more than 1,500 weekly flights to 80 international cities this season, including brand-new routes like New York-JFK to Geneva and Atlanta to Nice, the world is ripe for exploration.
We deeply value the trust you place in us to get you to your destination safely and on time. We’ve spent months preparing for this busy travel season, investing heavily to ensure our team of 90,000 worldwide is ready to deliver a reliable, high-quality experience, paired with the signature warmth and compassion you’ve come to expect when you fly with us.
Whether you’re embarking on a new adventure or returning to a favorite summer spot, here are some things to look forward to this season.
A MORE CONNECTED JOURNEY
Fast, free Wi-Fi is now available on most domestic flights, so as a SkyMiles Member, you can browse, stream or message just like you would on the ground. And as our Delta Sync Exclusives experience rolls out, you’ll soon be able to unlock even more relevant and tailored content, plus other offers from brands you know and love. We also have the most seatback screens of any U.S.-based carrier by far, with countless options to keep you entertained. And you can expect to see free Wi-Fi on all international and regional flights by the end of 2024.
Starting in June, you can also look for a special documentary on board called “The Steepest Climb.” It’s a behind-the-scenes story featuring the heroic efforts of Delta people to carry us safely through the pandemic. It’s a project that’s near and dear to my heart, and I’d encourage you to give it a viewing while you’re on board.
AN ELEVATED EXPERIENCE, ON THE GROUND AND IN THE AIR
If you’ve flown through Los Angeles, Chicago-O’Hare or New York-LaGuardia lately, you’ve experienced first-hand the investments that we’ve made to transform our airports from coast to coast. We’ve also taken measures to reduce the volumes in our Delta Sky Clubs, including robust expansion plans and beautiful new Clubs in Minneapolis, Chicago and Kansas City, with a second Club in New York-JFK opening later this summer. And we’re trying out a new “on the go” Club experience in select cities, a convenient food and beverage option for Delta Sky Club customers who are short on time.
On board, we’re delivering purpose-driven products that are better for you, our communities and the planet. We’ve introduced healthy snacks across the plane and kid-friendly meals for our youngest travelers. In Delta Premium Select, we’re now serving Delta One-inspired meals on eco-conscious dining ware and have expanded our popular, artisan-crafted Someone Somewhere amenity kits that have helped bring more than 1 million hours of paid work to rural communities in Mexico. And if you’re looking to treat yourself, customers flying in Delta One can enjoy premium rosé and the return of our beloved dessert cart on international flights.
DIGITAL TOOLS FOR A SMOOTH JOURNEY
There are many tools available right at your fingertips to ensure a smooth journey, and to assist you if your plans change. You can adjust your flight directly in the Fly Delta app, on delta.com, or by using our Messaging feature for more assistance. The Fly Delta app will also allow you to check in, select or upgrade your seat on most flights, and get your boarding pass to make your travel day that much simpler.
At the airport, keep an eye out in select cities for digital ID lanes that enable a touchless experience as you check bags and move through security with TSA PreCheck.
As we continue to elevate Delta’s world-class travel experience, our top priority has never changed: That you arrive at your destination safe, on time, with your bags – having experienced the warmth and professionalism of our people along the way. Last year Cirium recognized Delta as the most on-time airline in North America for the second year in a row – a strong foundation we’ve built on to ensure a great summer ahead.
We’ve recruited and trained more than 25,000 Delta people to meet the rise in demand and have incorporated learnings from last summer into our crew scheduling, with more pilots standing by to fly when needed. We’ve invested heavily in aircraft maintenance in key cities around the world so we can more quickly address any mechanical issues to get you on your way. And we’re continuing to partner with the Federal Aviation Administration to help minimize delays and cancels due to weather and congested airspace.
We’re ready to serve you this summer, and we can’t wait to see you in the skies. Thank you for your continued loyalty and the trust you place in us to connect you to the people and places you love most.
Sincerely,
Ed Bastian
A CUSTOMER GUIDE TO TRAVELING WITH DELTA
Editor’s note: This article was updated April 24 with the most up-to-date information.
At Delta, our team of 90,000 is focused on delivering a reliable, high-quality experience and minimizing inconvenience when circumstances disrupt scheduled operations. We deeply value the trust customers place in us to get them to their destination safely and on time. That said, we also understand the journey to people and places that connect the world sometimes doesn’t go as expected.
Our culture is founded on the principle of having our customers’ backs, particularly if they experience a delay, misconnect or cancellation. We stand by our commitment to ensure customers get to where they need to be on a safe and clean flight, on time and with their bags. That said, to improve the customer experience and operational resilience at our hub airports for the busy summer 2023 travel season – particularly at New York’s LaGuardia and JFK airports, where weather and air traffic constraints often disrupt operations – we have reduced our planned summer 2023 flying schedule. The below provides steps you can take to make the most of your Delta travel experience – not only while traveling in and out of New York, but in every city you choose to fly Delta.
We remain committed to taking care of all customers – supporting every individual throughout their travel journey. Here’s what we can do to help when it’s needed:
KNOW BEFORE YOU GO
JOIN DELTA SKYMILES® TO HELP OUR TEAMS BETTER SERVE YOU AND STAY CONNECTED IN THE AIR
When you create a SkyMiles account, you get more than just miles earned toward your next trip. Your SkyMiles account ensures Delta people more seamlessly know your travel details and preferences and can aid with reaccommodating should disruptions in your travel occur. Knowing you is better for serving you. Keeping your SkyMiles profile information up to date can help Delta teams reach you quickly and allows for direct contact and updates when needed.
Additionally, as of Feb. 1, customers with SkyMiles accounts can access fast, free Wi-Fi onboard most domestic mainline flights to stay connected throughout the journey. Free Wi-Fi is designed to fuel our version of more personalized travel, powered by your SkyMiles Membership.
PASSPORT CHECK: RENEW EARLY AND VALIDATE
With the upcoming surge in summer travel, wait times for passport renewal are back to record highs. If you have plans to travel internationally, make sure to confirm your destination’s passport requirements and cushion enough time to get your passport renewed. Many countries will not grant entry to a traveler unless the passport expires at least six months after the final day of travel. That said, if your passport has less than six months remaining until it expires, plan and allow for enough time to renew before you go.
A pro tip: After renewing your passport and creating a SkyMiles account, be sure to add your passport credentials into the Fly Delta app and get it verified when you are ready to check in – it’ll save time during your next trip!
DOWNLOAD OR UPDATE THE FLY DELTA APP
Delta’s digital tools offer quick and seamless options to make changes to your itinerary – either in the Fly Delta app, on delta.com or by using our messaging feature for further assistance.
Most times, the app provides the same tools and flexibility as a call to our Reservations center – allowing customers to make changes in real-time while on the go. Click on the “Today” tab in the app for boarding information, upgrade status, baggage location and key self-service shortcuts like same-day changes. The tab is updated in real-time with the latest and most important information customers need to make sure you never miss gate changes or a change in boarding times.
If you’re a SkyMiles member, logging into the app with your unique SkyMiles membership number and mobile number will allow us to contact you if needed and better serve you as you travel (make sure your mobile number is updated and accurate for day-of travel!).
Turned off notifications by mistake? Find the notifications selection in your device’s Settings app and ensure Fly Delta app notifications are turned on. Manage your device’s sleep mode settings accordingly, too, to avoid notifications being silenced.
Make sure to keep an eye out for any emails or text messages you receive from Delta with essential updates on your flight status, travel documents and what to know before you go to the airport. (This information is also available in My Trips.)
BREEZE THROUGH SECURITY
To speed up your airport experience, enroll in CLEAR to breeze through security with either an eye or a fingerprint scan. U.S.-based SkyMiles members can enjoy preferred pricing on CLEAR memberships, and U.S.-based Diamond Medallion members can enjoy complimentary access to the program.
You can also consider applying for TSA PreCheck®. Customers with PreCheck not only have access to an expedited security line; thanks to Delta’s partnership with the TSA, qualifying PreCheck customers in ATL and DTW can move quickly and easily through the airport without scanning a boarding pass or showing a government ID. Digital ID uses facial matching technology to let customers check bags, move through security and board their flights completely hands-free.
FAMILIARIZE YOURSELF WITH RESOURCES FOR CUSTOMERS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS
If you or one of your travel companions needs special assistance due to sensory, physical or cognitive disabilities, Delta and the TSA have a number of resources available to you.
- Atlanta and Minneapolis hubs offer familiarization tours that allow families with disabilities to practice the process of traveling through an airport in preparation for travel. At MSP, customers can tour a mock cabinand meet with volunteers to ready themselves for their journeys.
- Many airports, including Delta hubs ATL, LGA and SEA, offer sensory rooms for individuals with sensory sensitivities and their families. To use a sensory room, locate a Delta Red Coat for assistance. Review more resources for customers on the autism spectrum, including a complete list of available sensory rooms, here.
- Visit Delta.com for complete accessible travel services, including information on wheelchair assistance, service animals, dietary needs and allergies, and more.