The demand for travel has been on the rise, driven by people eager to reconnect with the world around them. Rebuilding Delta's full-scale operation to serve the increasing number of customers who want to fly with us has been a huge feat – and not without challenges.

In recent months, Delta has made a number of adjustments to minimize disruptions and bounce back faster when challenges occur. And that’s why they'll be taking additional steps in the coming days and weeks to strategically decrease the airline's flight schedule this summer. From July 1-August 7, Delta will reduce service by approximately 100 daily departures, primarily in markets in the U.S. and Latin America that Delta frequently serves. This will build additional resilience in Delta's system and improve operational reliability for their customers and employees; Delta will continue to proactively adjust select flights in the coming weeks.

Delta teams strive to notify customers of itinerary changes as far in advance as possible. If your upcoming flight is impacted by a schedule change or delay, Delta will send updates directly to a mobile device or by email if contact information is included during booking or added later via My Trips online.  

Delta also issues waivers in the event of inclement weather, offering customers whose travel includes affected cities the option to consider moving their travel to before or after the weather event, which can also help avoid unnecessary waiting at airports. Due to forecast weather in the Southeast and Northeast regions of the U.S., Delta has issued a travel waiver – effective May 26-28 – for those who may be impacted in the days ahead.

If upcoming bookings for later this summer happen to change, Delta's teams will provide customers with the next-best itinerary that gets them where they need to go with the shortest delay possible.

As summer travel officially gets underway, Delta expects to welcome approximately 2.5 million customers this Memorial Day weekend – a 25% increase from 2021 passenger levels. These latest adjustments build on other actions Delta has taken recently, including:

• Continued engagement with the FAA on improving processes for air traffic management
• Adding several hundred new pilots and flight attendants to the operation every month as Delta hires and train to support Delta's growth
• Launching initiatives to improve boarding time and departure performance

Here are a few more things customers should know before they set off for summer journeys:

1. Use the Fly Delta App to Check In, Change Flights, Manage Trip Interruptions and More

Fly Delta is home to all the tools customers may need during their trip, including checking in, tracking bags and managing flight interruptions. While our teams are always standing by to support you, a lot is available at your fingertips that will help you save time if you need to change your plans. You can nearly always skip a phone call to Delta's Reservations team by adjusting your flight directly in the Fly Delta app or on delta.com or by using the airline's Messaging feature for more assistance. When trips are interrupted and wait times on the phone are longer than usual, Fly Delta is the quickest option to get on the next available flight.

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.) 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.

2. Give Yourself Time to Navigate the Airport

Plan to arrive at the airport two hours ahead of domestic flights and three hours ahead of international flights. Especially on popular travel days, allow some extra time to check your bags and go through security – and remember to pack any valuables or essential items in your carry-on bags. If you're traveling with spare lithium batteries, make sure they're in your carry-on bag, too – lithium batteries are not allowed in checked bags.

Double-check your carry-on for prohibited items like full water bottles and liquids larger than 3.4 ounces (be sure to save those for your checked luggage). And remember to have your government-issued ID out and ready when you arrive at the security checkpoint.

Thanks to Delta's partnership with TSA, qualifying customers in Atlanta, Detroit, Los Angeles and – coming soon – New York-LGA can opt in to use new facial recognition technology to check bags, pass through security and board their flight completely hands-free through use of their digital identity (SkyMiles Member number, passport number and Known Traveler Number). Remember to keep your ID nearby in your carry-on even when you opt to use facial recognition.

3. Consider CLEAR or TSA Precheck to Help Speed Through Security Lines

For an even quicker in-airport experience, customers can enroll in CLEAR — now available in more than 35 airports where Delta flies — and speed through security lines with just the touch of a finger or blink of an eye. U.S.-based SkyMiles® Members get preferred pricing on CLEAR memberships, including complimentary memberships for U.S.-based Diamond Medallion Members.

Customers can also consider applying for TSA PreCheck, now available at 200+ airports nationwide. Frequent travelers thinking about investing in expedited security programs should compare the benefits of CLEAR, TSA PreCheck, Sky Priority and Global Entry on delta.com to see what program is right for them.

4. Delta People are Working Around the Clock to Help Support You

Whether at airports, onboard or behind the scenes at Delta's reservations and operations centers, Delta is here to help their customers get where they need to be as safely and quickly as possible. When travel interruptions happen, Delta's customers can rest assured that the airline is working around the clock to move and position equipment and crews, adjusting schedules and taking other proactive measures to ensure the customers get where they need to go.

When cancellations become necessary as a last resort, Delta works to make changes that impact the fewest customers with the shortest delays. And, whenever possible, Delta teams strive to cancel flights far enough in advance to notify customers before arriving at the airport.

If, for any reason, a flight is delayed while you're at the airport, Delta people are ready to support you. Delta is increasing their airport staffing and introducing new ways to take care of you while you wait for your flight, like expanding Delta's reticketing options for Delta's customer service agents to help customers on day of travel. If you need assistance, don't hesitate to find one of the airlline's famous Red Coats – Delta's elite airport customer service experts, identifiable by their bright red coats – who are armed with a chat feature and will do their best to resolve any questions. For longer delays, teams are ready to help take care of customers in gate areas with light refreshments as well as providing digital vouchers for meals and hotel stays for overnight delays in some instances.

5. Be Mindful of Changing COVID-Related Protocols

Masks are now optional for customers, airport employees and crew members inside U.S. airports, on board aircraft domestically and on most international flights. The Transportation Security Administration is no longer enforcing the federal mandate as of April 18.

Delta people and customers may still choose to wear a mask. Experts agree that wearing a well-fitting mask – such as a KN95 – protects the wearer, even if others around them are not wearing masks. As Delta people and customers adapt to this change, please extend some extra patience to your crew and in-flight neighbors.

Delta remains committed to layers of protection like hospital-grade HEPA filters, regular cleaning and sanitization of high-touch surfaces on the planes and in the airport, a dedicated cleanliness team dedicated to ensuring high standards are maintained, and the industry's first Chief Health Officer, Dr. Henry Ting, who is an influential voice for Delta as they work to protect the health and safety of Delta people and customers.