Editor’s note: This article, originally published on May 26, was updated on June 16 to include new operational information.
Delta’s commitment to driving better performance is showing progress the first half of June following actions to improve our operation for customers. For June weekends month-to-date, Delta’s network system weekend cancellations are down 35% from May.1 Our domestic mainline on-time arrival rate remains in first place among our competitors2 for the fifth consecutive month through June 15.3
Travel demand has been on the rise, driven by people eager to reconnect with the world around them. Rebuilding Delta’s operation to serve the increasing number of customers who want to fly with us has been an enormous feat – and not without challenges.
“This phase of our recovery has been the most difficult. We’ve never had to bring the airline back at this speed before,” said E.V.P. and Chief of Operations John Laughter. “Through this challenge, we continue to make decisions that allow us to run a good, safe operation while restoring our network, and to take care of our people and customers.”
Weekends impacted by irregular operations were a key driver of cancellations in May. In recent months, we’ve made several adjustments to minimize disruptions and bounce back faster when challenges occur. These latest adjustments build on other actions Delta has taken recently, including:
- We’re working to strategically schedule our crews and people in a way that enables us to absorb and adjust when factors like summer thunderstorms disrupt the operation.
- We’re starting the boarding process earlier. This, combined with the empowerment of our people to “leave when ready,” is driving up the share of flights departing five minutes early to get our planes and customers on their way.4
- We’re continuing to engage with the FAA on improving processes for air traffic management.
- We’re adding several hundred new pilots and flight attendants to the operation monthly…