Delta is offering flexible rebooking at no extra cost while its operation recovers from an FAA-mandated nationwide ground stop that lasted more than four hours on Friday, Nov. 13. In an update posted Saturday, Nov. 14 at 9:50 a.m. ET, the airline said customers flying that day should expect delays and more schedule changes. It also asked anyone with flexible plans to move their flights to Monday, Nov. 16 or later.
That's the line that matters if you're holding a Delta ticket this weekend. The ground stop is over, but Delta is still putting its schedule back together. Here's what the airline said across its three updates, and what to do with a booking over the next few days. We covered the stop when it began in our report on the FAA's nationwide ground stop.
What Happened on Friday, Nov. 13
Delta posted its first statement at 6:00 p.m. ET on Friday, while the FAA-mandated nationwide air traffic control ground stop was in effect. At that point, no Delta flights were departing. Flights already en route continued to their destinations, and Delta said it had flexible options in place letting customers change their flight at no extra cost.
By 9:00 p.m. ET, the ground stop had been lifted and Delta said it was safely resuming operations. Flights had started departing. The airline warned that it would take time to reset its operation, including the positioning of aircraft and crews.
The Saturday morning update filled in the length of the disruption: more than four hours on Friday, Nov. 13. Delta said it continues to restore operations and continues to offer flexible rebooking options to change flights at no extra cost.
Why Saturday Flights Are Still Affected
The problem on Saturday isn't the ground stop. It's where Delta's planes and people ended up when it ended.
"Customers traveling today should expect delays and additional schedule adjustments as we work to reposition flight crews and aircraft," Delta said in its Saturday 9:50 a.m. ET update.
That's the same point Delta made Friday night, when it said resetting the operation would take time. Delta also said it will give customers as much notice as possible about changes to flight schedules. When a cancellation does happen, Delta said it will automatically rebook customers to the next best itinerary.
What Delta Flexible Rebooking Means for Your Trip
How useful the rebooking offer is depends on how much room you have in your plans. Here's how to tell which case you're in.
If your dates can move, you're the traveler Delta is talking to. The airline encourages customers with flexible travel plans to move their flights to Monday, Nov. 16 or later, and it says changes come at no extra cost.
If you have to fly Saturday, the Monday option doesn't do much for you. Delta's advice for Saturday travelers is to allow extra time and check the Delta app or delta.com for the latest flight status and travel information before heading out.
If your flight gets canceled, you don't have to start from scratch. Delta said it will automatically rebook customers to the next best itinerary.
What You Should Do Now
Here's the order to work through a Delta booking this weekend, using the steps Delta laid out in its updates:
- Check your flight status in the Delta app or on delta.com before you leave for the airport.
- If your plans are flexible, change your flight to Monday, Nov. 16 or later. Delta says flexible rebooking is available at no extra cost.
- If you're flying Saturday, allow extra time and expect possible delays or schedule adjustments.
- If your flight is canceled, Delta says it will automatically rebook you on the next best itinerary.
What Changes for Delta Travelers, and When
For Saturday, Nov. 14, Delta says to expect delays and more schedule adjustments while it repositions flight crews and aircraft. If your trip can wait, Delta wants you on Monday, Nov. 16 or later, and it's letting you change flights at no extra cost to get there.
If you must travel Saturday, give yourself extra time and keep the Delta app open. Delta said it will provide as much notice as possible about schedule changes and will automatically rebook customers when a cancellation occurs. Watch the Delta News Hub for the airline's next update.
