From the AP:

Customers who purchased Delta tickets on or before Wednesday, and who are traveling on or after Dec. 5, will be charged $50 for a second bag, but will be permitted to check their first bag without charge based on Delta's previous policy. Customers flying in first or business class, including SkyMiles Medallion members and WorldPerks Elite members, will be able to check up to three bags, up to 70 pounds each, for free, Delta said.

Delta Air Lines adding first bag fee [IHT]
(Photo: Flying Photog )

From Elliott.org:

The agent asked for our ticket for our son. I will not go into all of the details, but an hour later (and 35 minutes to flight departure), we were forced to pay 332 euros ($423.10) to get my son a ticket so he could return back to the states.

Words cannot describe my outrage at the time, especially the justification of the fees ($320 fuel surcharge - $160 each way??!!). How can they legally charge that much when our ten pound infant does not even have a seat?

Delta responded to this complaint with a form letter explaining that kids need a ticket — which is 10% of the regular fare. The only problem? He'd already paid that fee when he booked the tickets. The $320 was explained to him as a fuel surcharge.

Should passengers who don't even get a seat and weigh 10 lbs be charged this fee? Seems a little silly doesn't it?

Waaaa! Baby gets socked with surprise $320 fuel surcharge on Delta flight [Elliott] (Thanks, Shaula!)
(Photo: So Cal Metro )

Northwest, Delta deal gets done [Chicago Tribune]
(Photo: So Cal Metro )

The recalls involve two types of cribs. The first is for 600,000 drop side cribs. The CPSC says that the crib’s drop side can detach when the spring peg is not engaged, which can cause an entrapment and suffocation risk to infants and toddlers. One death has been reported.

The second is for 985,000 cribs that can be put together without the safety pegs. "CPSC staff is aware of a death of an 8-month-old child who became entrapped and suffocated when the drop side of the crib detached in a reassembled crib where the safety pegs were not installed. CPSC is also aware of two entrapments and nine disengagement incidents in cribs where the safety pegs were missing."

A full list of the model numbers affected by the recall can be found at the links below. To get your repair kit, contact Delta at (800) 816-5304 anytime after 5 pm today or log on www.cribrecallcenter.com to order the free repair kit.

Infant Death Prompts Recall to Repair 985,000 Delta Enterprise Drop Side Cribs; Missing Safety Pegs Can Cause Entrapment and Suffocation Hazards
Infant Death Prompts Recall To Repair 600,000 Drop Side Cribs By Delta Enterprise; Spring Peg Failure Can Cause Entrapment and Suffocation Hazards [CPSC]

From Fortune:

Back at home, Berns did what any consumer with $15 (in New York City) and a working knowledge of English (or Spanish, in most states) can do: He filed a small-claims suit against Delta for $938. Delta did not show up to defend itself, so on June 12 he won a default judgment. When a legal analyst from the airline called him two weeks later to negotiate a payment, he declined an offer of frequent-flier miles ("Confederate currency," in his words) and made a counteroffer: If you pay me within two weeks, I'll knock $100 off. Delta agreed but asked for a confidentiality agreement. Berns said they couldn't have both, and Delta took the discount. (A Delta spokesperson did not respond to repeated requests for comment.)

"The lesson is, Don't let them bully you with bogus cancellations," says Berns. The whole thing took him about four hours, he recalls, resulting in earnings of less than half his hourly billing rate. "But I'd do it again," he says. "That's how good it felt."

A flier strikes back [Fortune]
(Photo: Zonaphoto )

Most Fee Crazy Airlines:

1. U.S. Airways: Not only does U.S. Airways have the distinction of being the only US airline to charge for water, they were also the first to discontinue free snacks. They've also decided to do away with in-flight entertainment. So what will you think about while you're bored, hungry and thirsty? How about that $15 first checked bag fee, the $25 second checked bag fee, the $5-30$ fee to choose your favorite economy class seat, and the whopping $250 fee you paid to change your ticket. Oh, yeah, and remember when they made everyone crazy by charging a $5 fee to book a ticket... with their own website?
2. United Airlines: United is following U.S. Airways lead with a combination of cutting amenities and introducing fees. They've done away with snacks and are selling "snack boxes." Soon, United will be raising the prices for these items and economy class passengers will be expected to pay $9 for a sandwich. While you're munching on that overpriced nonsense, you can add up the following fees: $15 to check your first bag, $25 for the second bag, and $125 for the third. Then there's the $25 you paid to book your ticket over the phone, the $125 you paid for the privilege of traveling with your pet in the cabin, and of course, the $349 per year that you pay to be able to "stretch out and relax in comfort in seats located at the front of the Economy section,".."if available."
   
3. (tie) Delta Airlines & American Airlines: American was the first airline to charge for the 1st checked bag, and Delta has managed to resist that fee — but Delta's other fees are just so darn expensive that we had to call this one a tie. Ultimately, it costs more to check two bags with Delta than it does with U.S. Airways, United, or American. American currently charges $15 for the first bag, $25 for the second, and from $3-6 for snacks. Delta charges nothing for the first checked bag, but if you're thinking of checking two bags, get ready to pay $50 for the second bag, and $125 for the third bag. Ouch! Delta's snacks are complimentary, but they charge from $1-10 more for certain special items.

Least Fee Crazy Airlines:

1. Southwest Airlines: Southwest is the only major airline that isn't charging a fee to check two bags, and the third checked bag will only cost you $25. There is also no fee to change your ticket. Instead, you'll get a flight credit that is good for one year. They don't charge a fee to book over the phone or in person, and they don't charge a fee for an unaccompanied minor.
   
2. AirTran: AirTran has fees but they're lower than a lot of its competitors. For example, the 2nd checked bag is $10 and the third is $50. The ticket change fee is $75, and unaccompanied minors will only cost you $39, as opposed to $100 on Delta, United, etc. You will pay $6 for an advanced seat assignment and $20 to sit in an exit row.
   
3. JetBlue: JetBlue keeps threatening to go over to the dark side with new charges for things that used to be free (headsets $1, blankets and pillows $7) but they still have some of the more reasonable fees in the industry. There is no charge for the first checked back, and the second bag will cost you $20. Changing your ticket will cost you $100, and expect to pay from $10-20 more for their mini-business class "extra legroom" seats. Snacks and non-alcoholic beverages are plentiful and free, however. Love those blue potato chips.

If you're looking for an easy way to compare fees, check out this excellent PDF from the folks at SmarterTravel.com, Airfarewatchdog.com, and SeatGuru.com.

(Photo: Jenna Belle )

Here's Anayah's letter to Delta:

To Whom It May Concern:

I have never felt as hustled by an airline as I have been on this day. When I booked the fee for my younger sister to come visit me in New York from Chicago, I called in to Delta to find out what the procedure is for a minor to fly on Delta. I was told on 2 different occasions by customer service representatives that if she was 14 or older, she would be able to fly without paying a fee in addition to the $306 plane ticket... only to have my mother and sister embarrassed at the ticket counter when they were told she would have to pay an additional fee that our mother (who accompanied her to the airline) cannot afford.

When our mother tried to arrange to have me pay it at the ticket counter, she was advised that it COULD NOT be paid in person, only over the phone. When I called to make the payment over the phone on her behalf, we learned that there was an ADDITIONAL $100 fee for paying over the phone to the already additional $100 unaccompanied minor fee on a $306 TICKET!

In speaking with a representative over the phone, we also learned that a previous representative had already entered that they advised us about the fee when they DIDN'T! Instead of telling us that we would have to pay the fee so we could make arrangements for that sooner, the person noted her age in the account and told us we WOULD NOT have to pay a fee.

In all of this confusion, my little sister has missed her flight and we're being made to PAY ANOTHER FEE to rebook her. In the past 12 years, I've missed countless flights in at least 5 countries - some missed flights were my fault, others the airlines' - never have I had to pay to be rebooked for them.

I am absolutely shocked and disgusted that at a time when our country is in an economic recession and people are choosing to travel by air less and less that Delta would see fit to discourage another customer from ever flying with your airline by extorting a series of irrational (at least irrationally priced, notified, and collected) fees. I know that they are irrational because the final representative with whom I spoke did not charge the ridiculous additional $100 fee to rebook by phone. While I greatly appreciated his gesture, I see that it was all a game to hustle as much money as possible from the beginning, or else I would have been able to make all of the changes by phone without the additional $100 phone fees (x2 for 2 different "services") and [my sister] would not have missed her original flight.

Sincerely,

Anayah

We looked up Delta's unaccompanied minor policy and they do indeed charge $100 each way, for anyone 14 and under. The fees are collected at the airport ticket counter when the child checks in.

We also took a look at some other airline's policies about unaccompanied minors. United Airlines and JetBlue do not charge unaccompanied minor fees for 14-year-olds, but many other airlines do.

Delta's policy is not unusual or unclear, and their customer service representatives should have advised you of the fee when you asked them about it, especially if they noted your sister's age on the account, and they should have waived the $100 "phone" fee before your sister missed her flight — not after.

What a mess!

You can avoid the charges by becoming an "elite" member of Delta's frequent flier program, or by flying internationally. The fees do not apply to First Class passengers. In addition to the fee for a second bag, the charge for checking a third, fourth or fifth bag, now $80 for each bag, will rise to $125 apiece, says the New York Times. Checking a third bag internationally will now cost coach passengers $150.

“Fewer than 20 percent of our customers check a second bag; I would imagine that it would be even less for a third,” a Delta spokeswoman, Betsy Talton, said. “It’s still a good value when compared with shipping or luggage services.”

Delta Raises Fee for a Second Bag [NYT]
(Photo: saramarie )

Delta is also raising fees on oversized items and heavy items.

First-class passengers, international travelers and elite members of Delta’s frequent-flier program will still be allowed to check two bags for free. First-class and elite travelers can check up to three bags at no charge on international flights; a third bag will now cost a coach-class passenger traveling overseas an extra $150.

Items that are 62 to 80 inches long, including athletic equipment like surfboards and skis, will cost $175 to check after Tuesday on all flights. They now cost $150.

Delta is also increasing its charges for heavy baggage, regardless of whether it is included in a free baggage allowance. A bag that weighs 51 to 70 pounds will cost the traveler $90 to check in the United States, and $150 on an international trip, up from $80.

A bag weighing from 71 to 100 pounds will cost as much as $300 to check on an international trip, compared with $150.

Although a before-and-after chart of the new fees is supposed to be available at www.delta.com, as of July 29th we couldn't find it (if you do, please post the link in the comments below).

"Delta Raises Fee for a Second Bag " [New York Times] (Thanks to Ken and Mary!)
(Photo: Getty)

The employees in this room were debating who would get me to the ticket gate to be re-ticketed because it was no one's job and the appropriate personnel were not responding to their calls. After that was resolved I was given a new boarding pass for a flight expected to leave at 12:55 AM. Then this person advised me she cannot get me from a D Gate to Gate A9. She again called for the appropriate personnel who never showed. We waited by an elevator for someone she convinced to bring me over to Gate A even though it was not his job. I had to beg him to stop at a bathroom entrance and to wait for me and then he finally delivered me to Gate A9.

I was given a meal voucher for my INCONVENIENCE but could not purchase any food because again there was no one to bring me to an eating establishment, never mind wait on the long line for me to make a food purchase.

At 11:15 I advised the gate attendant I was dehydrated and cramping because I could not purchase any water. This is the only nice employee that treated me with dignity. The flight I was transferred to was supposed to leave at 10:22 PM but was delayed until 1:30 AM. This gate attendant went and brought me water off of the plane.

This gate attendant also made sure she finally found some one at 11:15 PM to push me to obtain food and another bathroom break. I arrived in West Palm Beach at 3:15 AM with no ride and had to again crawl into the shuttle service to get home.

I understand plane delays and waiting at airports, but is this how you treat your handicapped passengers???

The text above is from a letter Julianna has sent to Richard Anderson, Delta's CEO, who we hope will do more than send her another food voucher—like take real steps to make sure handicapped passengers are treated with a minimum of respect when they're traveling.

(Thanks to Chris)
(Photo: Andrei Dimofte)

If your flight is canceled or you're given a wrong connection, the airline might have to put you on another flight for free, even if it's on another airline. Airfarewatchdog blog has put together a handy table to help you tell which airlines follow these procedures, and to what degree. They also have links to the contracts of carriage for the airlines that have them posted online. Handy to check if you're covered before booking, and also good to print out and bring with you to the airport just in case you need to invoke your rights and the airline employee has forgotten their own policies.

Rule 240 Revisited [Airfarewatchdog Blog]

Trevor sent us his exchanges with Delta. His initial letter:

Dear Delta,

In June of 2007, I experienced a collapsed lung. At the recommendation of my thoracic surgeon to avoid flight for three to six months from the time of my operation, I was unable to use tickets booked on June 11, for a flight from NY JFK to Toronto—flight XXXXXXXX.

After being made aware I would not be able to use the tickets, I called a Delta representative who informed me that once receiving a signed letter from my physician, I would be given full cred ($365.58) for the flight. The credit would be available for one year. On both occasions I spoke with Delta representatives—when canceling the flight and when confirming my letter was received—I was not made aware that the credit expired on the date the flight was booked (June 11) and not the date of departure (Aug. 3). This information was only relayed when I attempted to use the credit on June 24, 2008. No email or letter acknowledging the restriction was ever offered, just the instruction to call when I wished to apply the credit. On top of that, nowhere in the confirmation information given to me by Travelocity is the booking date listed, only the flight date and I’m sure you can imagine, given my health circumstances, how that is unsatisfactory if you expect me to consider June 11, the key date in this situation.

I understand Delta must have restrictions and expiration dates for credit; however, I feel my medical condition was taken advantage of by inadequate customer care that neglected to communicate the central piece of information. I am using the credit in a window well within a year of the flight date. This is the first time I’ve booked a flight since my injury and am dismayed by a lack of sensitivity by Delta’s policies and customer care representatives.

I appreciate your consideration and understanding.

Delta's response:

Thank you for your correspondence to Delta Air Lines.

We realize you expect to receive accurate information when you call us. Our Reservation Sales representatives are carefully trained in all our procedures, including providing a positive experience for our valued customers.

Please be advised most unused international tickets can be applied towards new travel, domestic or international, to commence within one year from issue date of the original ticket.

Delta tickets and other travel-related documents are valid for one year from the date of issue. Once a ticket or other document has expired, it has no further value and cannot be refunded, extended, or exchanged.

While we would like to offer special consideration in cases such as yours, we are unable to honor the many requests that we receive from others in similar situations. We follow a consistent policy to ensure that Delta is fair to everyone who travels with us. Accordingly, we must respectfully decline your request.

Again, thank you for writing. We recognize this was not the response you expected to receive and trust you will understand our position. We value your business and hope you will continue to choose Delta. Should you need to contact us in the future, or find information about our service or operations, please visit us at delta.com.

Sincerely,

Irene M. Roberts
Manager
Customer Care

Can't you feel the love and care of their velvet-covered sickle?

Trevor responded:

Dear Ms. Roberts,

I’m sure it comes as no surprise that your response is completely unsatisfactory and no, I do not in any way understand your position. Due to human error, Delta has stolen—that may sound like a strong word, but is in fact the ONLY way to refer to it—almost five hundred dollars from me.

You can claim your “Reservation Sales representatives are carefully trained”; however, all experience in this situation points to quite the opposite. Just one example, it took two hours and the escalation of the issue to a supervisor before anyone could even figure out how to locate my reservation. I understand the challenges of staffing qualified people to low-paying positions, but don’t screw your customers when they slip up. If you have many requests from “others in similar situations” than you have an institutional problem that needs to be fixed and I do not feel I should pay the price for that failure. It is certainly not Delta being “fair to everyone who travels” with you. Quite the opposite in fact.

In a business whose success and failure hinges on the ability to create customer loyalty—one ticket, just one, bought by me could erase any loss you’d take from giving me MY MONEY back—it’s shocking to me that you’ve decided to give me the middle finger and I'm sure, a contributing factor to Delta's struggles. I will NOT “continue to choose Delta.” In the internet age, I’m just shocked Delta doesn’t understand this costs more than it saves. You have no right to this money and with poor customer service from top to bottom, have taken advantage of my illness.

Attached you’ll find signed statements from just a few of the people who’ve heard my story and agree that Delta has abused its corporate powers and hidden behind policies that avoid accountability. This will be just the beginning as I feel it’s important people hear how your company approaches its customers.

I will be happy to forgive and forget if you decide it’s worth actually considering my case individually and realize the importance of respecting your customers especially when they are confronted with life and death health challenges.

We've shown that a well-crafted, reasonable Executive Email Carpet Bomb can decimate arbitrary airline deadlines. Send an EECB to Delta's executives using previously published contact information, and don't forget to cc the Department of Transportation.

PREVIOUSLY: EECB Scores Direct Hit On Delta's $25 Extra Bag Fee
(AP Photo/David Kohl)

An Open letter to All Airline Customers:

Our country is facing a possible sharp economic downturn because of skyrocketing oil and fuel prices, but by pulling together, we can all do something to help now.

For airlines, ultra-expensive fuel means thousands of lost jobs and severe reductions in air service to both large and small communities. To the broader economy, oil prices mean slower activity and widespread economic pain. This pain can be alleviated, and that is why we are taking the extraordinary step of writing this joint letter to our customers. Since high oil prices are partly a response to normal market forces, the nation needs to focus on increased energy supplies and conservation. However, there is another side to this story because normal market forces are being dangerously amplified by poorly regulated market speculation.

Twenty years ago, 21 percent of oil contracts were purchased by speculators who trade oil on paper with no intention of ever taking delivery. Today, oil speculators purchase 66 percent of all oil futures contracts, and that reflects just the transactions that are known. Speculators buy up large amounts of oil and then sell it to each other again and again. A barrel of oil may trade 20-plus times before it is delivered and used; the price goes up with each trade and consumers pick up the final tab. Some market experts estimate that current prices reflect as much as $30 to $60 per barrel in unnecessary speculative costs.

Over seventy years ago, Congress established regulations to control excessive, largely unchecked market speculation and manipulation. However, over the past two decades, these regulatory limits have been weakened or removed. We believe that restoring and enforcing these limits, along with several other modest measures, will provide more disclosure, transparency and sound market oversight. Together, these reforms will help cool the over-heated oil market and permit the economy to prosper.

The nation needs to pull together to reform the oil markets and solve this growing problem.

We need your help. Get more information and contact Congress by visiting www.StopOilSpeculationNow.com.

They've sent you an EECB... how will you respond?

Airlines: Curb oil speculation [CNN]

Delta's dispatch:

Escalating fuel prices continue to impact our world economy, everyday life and the airline industry. Due to continued, unprecedented fuel costs, we will add the following fuel surcharge to Award Tickets originating from the U.S. and Canada, effective August 15, 2008:

• $25 for Award Travel between the 50 states and Canada
• $50 for Award Travel between the 50 states/Canada and all international destinations

This was a difficult but essential decision to ensure we are doing everything possible to offset the cost of fuel which has nearly doubled in the last year. This fuel surcharge will not impact any existing ticketed Award itineraries or any future Award Tickets issued prior to August 15, 2008, regardless of the date of travel. We hope this is temporary, and should fuel prices subside from current levels, we will reevaluate this surcharge.

We are committed to making SkyMiles® the best frequent flyer program in the industry and providing you with the most benefits and rewards. We will continue to expand the destinations and opportunities for Award Travel and strengthen the program as we prepare for our proposed merger with Northwest Airlines®. Additionally, we will keep you updated on the launch of our new multi-tiered Award program and other key initiatives over the next 60 days.

Thank you for your continued loyalty and support of Delta and the SkyMiles Program—now and always.

JEFF



J. W. Robertson



Managing Director, SkyMiles

The announcement coincides nicely with the release of the 20th fare hike this year.

We are intrigued by the "new multi-tiered Award program" J.W. mentioned. Details are scarce, but we imagine it will work out something like this: there will be two impermeable tiers. In one tier, there will be awards. In the other tier, frequent fliers.

(AP Photo/Al Behrman)

(Thank to everyone who forwarded the announcement!)

I'm a regular reader, but this is the first time I've felt the need to write in. Not because I'm mad or need to vent about anything, but because I found something you guys might find as hilarious as i did... I noticed a couple of posts about trains today on the site, and as such I thought to myself, hey I wonder how much a train ticket to Tulsa, Ok is from here(where a good friend of mine lives). Now what makes this funny to me is the Google response to my entered text of .... "train tickets"

Now notice if you will the 1st sponsored link. CHEAP TRAIN TICKETS
and where does it take you www.delta.com, which even against my better judgment I clicked on. Thinking maybe they have a deal with Amtrak or something, and that I would be able to look at train schedules and such, but lo and behold my amazement when I realized this was in fact just Delta Airlines site, and had absolutely nothing to do with trains.
Thought you guys might enjoy that.
Zach

We tried these searches a few times and sometimes Delta appears at the top of the main results list, sometimes not. If it doesn't appear on the main results area, it always appears at the top of the right margin under sponsored links (pictured above.) We're not sure whether Delta is responsible for this misdirection or one of their affiliate advertisers, but either way it's misleading to potential ticket buyers. Come on Google, will you do anything a company pays you to do? Ok, don't answer that. Even though they rhyme, we know for a fact that trains and planes are different, don't try to derail our logic.

Forbes Traveler's 10 Most Annoying Airline Fees

1. Checked Baggage: $10-$100
American Airlines now charges $15 for the first checked bag. Ugh.

2. Talking to Real People: $10-$25
"It costs $20 to book through a representative at American Airlines, and US Airways charges $15—the same as discount airlines JetBlue and Southwest."

3. Seat Preference: $10-$20
"United Airlines' Economy Plus plan is unique: For a $349 annual fee, one member and his or her companion are seated at the front of economy section whenever possible."

4. Rewards Redemption: $75-$100
Expect to pay this fee if miles are redeemed without "sufficient notice," and because you can't redeem the miles through the website, get ready to "pay for the convenience of booking through a ticket agent."

5. Curbside Check-In: $2-$3+
Remember, this fee doesn't include tip.

6. Traveling with a Child or a Pet: $10-$100 and up
"Delta recently doubled its [unaccompanied minor] rate to $100 and Continental upped its charge to $75 on direct flights and $100 on trips with connections."

7. Changing a Reservation: $30-$200
"United Airlines has hiked its ticket-changing charge from $100 to $150. "

8. Paper Ticket: $50-$70
"Delta charges $50 to customers who still want a physical copy of their ticket."

9. Airport improvement: $4.50-$20+
"...the airport-improvement fee has one short-term impact: It makes your ticket more expensive."

10. Fuel Surcharge: $30-$300
"Fuel now accounts for 40 percent of a ticket's price, and surcharges are regularly $65 each way on most major carriers. "

For the full article and slide show, click here.

Annoying Airline Charges [Forbes Traveler]

(Photo: Travelin' Librarian )

"I tried so hard not to sue them," he told the New York Post. It all started with a rude flight attendant named "Britney..."

"Her conduct, which was disrespectful, obnoxious and outright rude, was the tip of the iceberg," the suit says.

After landing, the family found out from a cousin who was on the connecting flight that it had been delayed by a half-hour, giving them just enough time to catch it.

When they arrived at the gate, however, Delta agent Ralph Damour told Roth "the flight had already taken off," the lawyer claims.

When Roth's son pointed to the plane outside the window, Damour said, "It has not left but you cannot get on," the suit says.

"Damour, in an obnoxious, rude, and totally disrespectful tone, said: 'The pilot is not in charge here. I am. All the pilot does is fly the plane,' " according to the suit.

The plane sat at the gate for another 20 minutes before it took off - without the Roths.

The next day, after a night in a motel, the family was told it would be weeks until they they could get another flight to Argentina. So, they called another airline, rented a car and drove to Miami to catch another flight. To top it all off, the lawsuit says Delta misplaced their luggage and didn't return it until 4 days after their initial flight.

The airline has no comment.

'AIR FARCE' SUIT [NYP] (Thanks, Evan!)
(Photo: So Cal Metro )

To: gerald.grinstein@delta.com; james.whitehurst@delta.com; Macenczak, Lee; joseph.kolshak@gmail.com; Gleaves, Daiquiri; anthony.black@delta.com; katie.connell@delta.com; gina.laughlin@delta.com;

Cc: airconsumer@dot.gov

Subject: Unfair $25 Charge

To Whom This May Concern,

I bought 2 tickets to West Palm Beach from Boston on January 29th.

[redacted]

For the Trip down we brought 3 checked bags with no charge. To my surprise on our return trip we were charge $25 for the 3rd bag.

While I do understand the fee I believe that I should be reimbursed this $25 as it was not agreed to at the time of purchase or at the time of departure.

I appreciate any help that can be given in this matter,

-Justin

Delta replied:

Thank you for your email to our executives. They asked that I reply on their behalf.

I also left you a voice message. As a one time exception, I will be happy to refund the $25.00 fee. Could you please provide me with a mailing address to send the check?

Once received, I will process the check and you should receive it within 7 to 10 business days.

Thank you again for writing and for your business. We hope you chose Delta again when your plans call for air travel.

All my best,

Greg Ingram
Executive Assistant

If you're running into a wall with your customer service problem, the EECB can be mighty effective. For more information about launching your own EECB, click here.

(Photo: So Cal Metro )

This is Delta's second hike in about a week:

"This is obviously a result of the current market, and fares have to reflect the cost of doing business," spokeswoman Betsy Talton said.

Representatives for AMR Corp.'s American Airlines and UAL Corp.'s United Airlines said the carriers matched the increase on most routes Thursday.

Top 3 air carriers boost fuel charge by $20 roundtrip [AP]
(Photo: Zonaphoto )

UPDATE: Betsy from Delta Airlines writes in to assure our readers that when you search for fares on Delta's website you " are given a total cost in the search results."

Hello -
I checked at the Delta self-service kiosk this morning for my flight from Atlanta to Fort Lauderdale. I printed my boarding pass, itinerary and receipt from the kiosk and reached for the ubiquitous blue paper Delta ticket jacket, only there were none. I went to drop off my bag and asked for a ticket jacket - I like to keep my boarding pass and other documents, plus my baggage claim sticker all organized in one place. The woman checking me in informed me that Delta discontinued the use of the ticket jackets as of Monday in order to help cut costs! Wow. That is a bit extreme. That's several pennies worth of paper that, although I'm sure some posters will belittle the concept and my desire to have the jacket, make a big difference for a frequent business traveler such as myself. Other airlines, such as Airtran, subsidize these jackets by printing advertisements inside the folder. This may sound minor, but it was a useful item to have. Not that they are eliminating all paper, now the are providing a separate sheet with ticket Terms and Conditions in the slot that used to hold ticket jackets. I have attached an image of both sides of this slip.

In an additional interesting piece of this experience, I was given a complimentary Medallion upgrade to first class at the time of boarding. On Delta, the gate agent scans your boarding pass, a new boarding "coupon" is printed and handed to you and the original boarding pass is taken by the gate agent. This normally isn't a problem, but since there is no longer a ticket jacket to stick the baggage claim sticker on, the sticker now goes on - you guessed it - the boarding pass that you get at check in! So, not that I have needed a claim tag in any of my travels, but if it is important enough for them to give it to you - it is your "receipt" after all - then it
should be important enough to keep, right?

All in all, a short-sighted move on Delta's part and it really only saves a few cents per ticket.

Thanks Consumerist

Delta, you make us sad. We loved ticket jackets for their neat design, foldy fun and secret slots. The ticket jacket always made sure that the proper document was easily accessible, yet secure and organized when we jammed the whole thing in our back pocket. We hope you realize that the paper-pennies you are pinching will be negated by fumbling passengers who will be spending a few extra seconds managing their travel documents. Multiply these few seconds by thousands of passengers and you should begin to see the error in playing God with our ticket jackets.

(Photo: Getty)

From Delta's contract of carriage:

D. Amendments to Conditions of Carriage

1. Amendment by Delta

...Your travel will be governed by the rules that are in effect on the date your travel begins. In the event that we amend these Conditions of Carriage in a way that materially affects the terms and conditions of your ticket purchase after you have purchased your ticket but before your travel begins, and you do not agree to be bound by the rules as amended, you may request a full refund of your ticket price.

"Materially adverse" means the same thing to airlines that it means to cellphone companies. To receive a refund, you need to have booked your ticket before February 4, with travel commencing after May 5.

Unlike cellphone contracts, your goal isn't to break free without penalty so you can switch to another carrier. You most likely want the fee waived. Here's what you can try: call Delta, and explicitly state three things;

• 1. You are affected by the new baggage fee, which constitutes a material change to the contract;
• 2. You do not agree to pay the new fee;
• 3. As a result, Delta's contract of carriage entitles you to a full refund.

Mention that you may be willing to keep your scheduled booking if they are willing to waive the new baggage fees. Keep in mind that Delta is only required to refund your full fare, not waive the fee. Still, it's worth a shot. If you call, send an email to the tipline and let us know how it goes.

2nd Checked Bag Fee Roundup… [DansDeals]
PREVIOUSLY: Delta's New Baggage Fee Is Retroactive

Anderson also was asked if a combined Delta-Northwest would be profitable in its first year, and he responded, "It will all be a product of fuel prices ... and stay tuned for earnings tomorrow and you'll see what a dramatic effect it's had."

"Report: Delta CEO says airline fares to rise 15-20 %" [BizJournals]
(Photo: Getty)

We've listed most of the major airlines and their regional affiliates. We've indicated whether the airlines are now defunct, part of Delta, recently bankrupt, or possibly looking for love with another airline. Regional airlines are marked with their affiliates' logos. Watch out Continental... we think United has her eye on you. Enjoy!

Here's the email Northwest sent, in case you missed it:

As a valued Northwest Airlines customer and WorldPerks® member, I wanted you to be among the first to hear that we have announced a merger with Delta Air Lines. Subject to regulatory review, our two airlines are joining forces to create America's premier global airline which, upon closing of the merger, will be called Delta Air Lines.

By combining Northwest and Delta, we are building a stronger, more resilient airline that will be a leader in providing customer service and value. Our combined airline will offer unprecedented access to the world, enabling you to fly to more destinations, have more flight choices and more ways than ever to earn and redeem your WorldPerks miles.

You can be assured that your WorldPerks miles and Elite program status will be unaffected by this merger. In addition, you can continue to earn miles through use of partners like WorldPerks Visa®. And once the new Delta Air Lines emerges you can look forward to being a part of the world's largest frequent flyer program with expanded benefits.

The combined Delta Air Lines will serve more U.S. communities and connect to more worldwide destinations than any global airline. Our hubs - both Delta's and Northwest's - will be retained and enhanced. We will be the only U.S. airline to offer direct service from the United States to all of the world's major business centers in Asia, Latin America, Europe, Africa and around North America.
Both airlines bring tremendous strengths to this new partnership. Our complementary service networks form an end-to-end system that is truly greater than the sum of its parts. This is a merger by addition, not subtraction, which means all of our hubs - both Northwest's and Delta's - will be retained. In addition, building on both airlines' proud, decades-long history of serving small communities, we plan to enhance global connections to small towns and cities across the U.S.

All of these positive benefits of our combination mean that we can:

* Offer a true global network where our customers will be able to fly to more destinations, have more schedule options and more opportunities to earn and redeem frequent flyer miles in what will become the world's best and most comprehensive frequent flyer program.
* Continue to serve our current roster of destinations and to maintain our hubs in Atlanta, Cincinnati, Detroit, Memphis, Minneapolis/St. Paul, New York, Salt Lake City, Amsterdam and Tokyo.
* Improve our customers' travel experience, through new products and services including enhanced self-service tools, better bag-tracking technology, more onboard services, including more meal options, new seats and refurbished cabins.

While we work to secure approval of our merger, which may take up to 6 to 8 months, it will be business-as-usual at both airlines. We will continue to operate as independent airlines and the people of Northwest will remain focused on providing you with the very best in safe, reliable and convenient air travel. At the same time, both airlines will be planning for a seamless integration of our two airlines, one that delivers to you the enhanced benefits that will earn - and retain - your preference.

As we work through this process, we will keep you informed at every step along the way. Thank you for your business and we look forward to serving you on your next Northwest flight.

Sincerely,

Bob Soukup
Managing Director, WorldPerks

Is Delta-Northwest merger really creating "a leader in providing customer service and value"? [Elliott]

The memo says that the "changes, which are effective immediately, are due to record fuel costs and business decisions reflecting today's economic landscape."

Brace yourselves for the pain:

If a PDF is more your speed, you can download the memo here.

"We expect this voluntary review, which is taking place on Delta's 117 MD-88 aircraft, to result in approximately 275 cancellations through early Friday, impacting about 3 percent of Delta's worldwide flight schedule. Based on the aggressive and proactive re-inspection schedule, Delta expects inspections to be complete on approximately 70 percent of its MD-88 fleet by early evening, with normal operations planned by early Friday."

"Delta, American cancel flights for safety inspections" [East Bay Business Times]
(Photo: Cubbie_n_Vegas)

Delta (DAL, Fortune 500) is inspecting the wiring of 117 MD-88 and 16 MD-90 aircraft. The airline says the checks are voluntary and are expected to be completed by week's end. American Airlines, meanwhile, is examining wiring secured to the MD-80 aircraft.

Here's a unique twist on lost airline luggage:

I'm on travel for work at a nuclear site, waiting to get security clearance to start work. This involves a background check and a drug test for me, which can usually be done in about 8 to 24 hrs.

24 hrs - No word.

48 hrs - No word.

72 hrs - I'm told that Delta Airlines lost a shipment of urine samples, and mine was among them.

(Note, I'm on night shift, so I was woken up at 7am after 2 hrs of sleep and told to come back in to re-test. By the time I arrived at the plant, they had found the samples... Something's wrong with the notification timeline there...)

These are usually couriered directly from the plant to the lab - so I'm guessing that the courier had to check them since the box of samples was over 3 oz :)

(Thanks to Scott!)
(Photo: Getty)

5. MESA AIRLINES (operates flights for Delta Airlines, United Airlines, USAirways and Midwest Airlines)

4. SKYWEST AIRLINES (operates flights for United Express, Delta Connection and Midwest Connect)

3. ATLANTIC SOUTHEAST AIRLINES (operated by Delta Airlines)

2. COMAIR (operated by Delta Airlines)

1. AMERICAN EAGLE AIRLINES (operated by American Airlines)

Air Travel Consumer Report (PDF) [DOT]
(Photo:Cubbie_N_Vegas)

Julie asked Christopher Elliott, ombudsman for National Geographic Traveler, for advice. His suggestion will sound familiar to Consumerist readers: escalate it! "You could have—and should have—appealed this to someone higher up." When Julie took his advice, Delta apologized and gave her a $250 voucher.

As far as plus-sized passengers go,

Delta, and most of the other network airlines, tends to look the other way when someone unusually tall or wide boards their aircraft. At least one carrier, Southwest Airlines, doesn't. It requires that plus-sized passengers buy an extra seat (but they get their money back if there are empty seats). I could find no policy regarding these above-average travelers on Delta's Web site, which says to me that your seatmate wasn't out of line in booking only one seat.

"Hey, where's my airline seat?" [MSNBC]
(Illustration: Getty)