There’s been a great deal of media activity around two customers who were denied boarding on flight #5452 (MEM-CLT) this past Friday. As you probably already know, Atlantic Southeast Airlines (ASA) who was operating the regional jet for us, offered its apologies to the customers and is following up with the crew to understand circumstances surrounding this event. Atlantic Southeast worked over the weekend to answer questions about the situation, and we want to be sure you hear our perspective on this issue, and help clarify any questions you may have.

As the individuals responsible for the safety and security of their flight and everyone on board, pilots industry-wide do have authority over their aircraft within the parameters set by their individual carrier. Although, following a situation like this it is standard to review the matter with the pilots and talk with them about their decision so we can have our own understanding.

On Friday, once all the follow-up screenings had been completed, Delta ground crew immediately offered our apologies and worked to get these passengers booked on our next available flight and did everything possible to help make the passengers comfortable while they waited.

We want you to know that as a global carrier we transport people from every country of the world, every religion, every ethnicity and every race, and we take very seriously the trust our customers place in us. Our employees represent countries all over the world, and wouldn’t have it any other way.

But most importantly, although we were not the operators of the flight, these passengers are our customers and we would like to join Atlantic Southeast once again in offering an apology for any impact the situation had on both them and their travel.

Toby Broberg

Director, Customer Care

Delta offers service to more than 350 destinations in nearly 70 countries (on six continents!). However, there is one more destination to which more than 125 frequent fliers eagerly descended upon for four full days to realize lifelong dreams and lasting memories.

That final destination was none other than the world headquarters of Delta Air Lines – a destination more sought after than lazily sipping a Pina Colada under a swaying palm tree by calm waters on the shores of a white Caribbean beach or skiing down the challenging snow-covered slopes of the wintry Alps.

I’m serious.

From October 21 through October 24, 2010, attendees of The 2010 Second Annual Delta Air Lines FlyerTalk Event were treated to an intimate inside look at the heart and soul of Delta Air Lines, including tours of the Delta Heritage Museum, the Technical Operations Center, the Operations Control Center, and the towers above Concourses A and E at the airport in Atlanta.

We also met senior executives during a five-hour question-and-answer session, worked as gate agents for the morning, piloted flight simulators, sampled Delta’s on-board food options near the Spirit of Delta Boeing 767 aircraft and attended an intensive day of Road Warrior Training – a program designed as a way to sample the training flight attendants must complete. We even got to go down the evacuation slide!

This event was designed to allow frequent fliers and Delta Air Lines employees to personally interact with each other to gain a better first-hand understanding of how the airline operates and what customers really want in an ideal flight experience. This event overwhelmingly exceeded those expectations. One thing’s for sure—we’ll never look at air travel quite the same way again.

And FlyerTalk members are already talking about next year’s visit!

Brian C.

FlyerTalk Event Participant

The Delta experience shifted into high gear on March 30. This was the day that all former Northwest frontline employees donned their new Delta uniforms. It truly marked the end of a rich and long legacy of the “Red Tails” but signified the beginning of a new era of a Great Global Airline.

I am very excited to be joining another great legacy airline and am very proud to be wearing the Delta uniform. On the morning of March 30th, our crew gathered in the lobby of the hotel and we all commented on how professional and classy each other looked in our new uniforms. You must understand that the Northwest flight attendants had not seen a new uniform since 1990!

We landed in Minneapolis and the whole airport had been transformed into the Delta brand. I just flew from Honolulu to Seattle and got to experience new boarding music and some of the new food on board the aircraft.

The spring of 2009 has special meaning for me because is represents the new beginning for the people of Northwest and Delta. Spring is a symbol of new life and also a sign of many great things to come!

Scott Schaefer
757 First Officer for 13 years
Detroit