I’ve been a Delta loyalist for almost 10 years (Platinum Medallion for ~6 of them — still chasing Diamond one day), which is why the last few months of flights are standing out more than usual. Trying to understand if this is just a rough stretch or something others are noticing too.
Across a couple of recent trips:
First Class experience:
- No pre-departure service on one leg, and overall it felt very discretionary depending on crew
- Initial cabin impression felt unpolished (crew eating/drinking in the cabin, loud conversations)
- Main cabin passengers repeatedly using the First Class lavatory (10+ times, including during meal service) with no effort to manage it
- Crew items stored in First Class overhead bins, limiting passenger space
- Meal service felt incomplete vs. what you’d expect at the price point
Upgrades & onboard:
- Upgrade certificates didn’t clear despite confirmable space at booking ~2 months out
- Inflight items (meals/food) not stocked for a trans con, and a redeemed snack never delivered
Arrival & operations:
- JFK baggage claim chaos — multiple flights stacked onto one carousel, incorrect signage sending people to the wrong belt while bags were already circulating elsewhere (first noticed in Dec 2025)
- Bags technically “on time,” but ~20 min wait in a very congested area
- Separate issue: previously had items reported as found but ultimately never returned
Bigger picture:
It’s starting to feel like the experience depends heavily on crew and day-of operations rather than a consistent standard.
I also noticed during recent weather disruptions that Delta seemed slower to recover, while other airlines (including American, United, and even Spirit in that moment) were moving with more confidence.
Not trying to pile on—just genuinely curious:
- Are others seeing more inconsistency in First Class and pre-departure service?
- Are upgrades harder to clear now even when space exists?
- Has ops reliability/recovery felt different lately vs. other airlines?
Would appreciate perspective from others who fly Delta regularly.