Delta Airlines Faces Backlash Amid Travel Disruptions
- Many Delta passengers faced travel chaos, leading to disruptions in their plans.
- Families were separated as flights were canceled, with children stranded in different states.
- This situation highlighted ongoing issues with airline operations affecting travelers nationwide.
Delta Airlines has come under scrutiny following a significant operational disruption caused by a global tech outage that began late last week. The airline temporarily suspended its unaccompanied minors program, leaving many families in distress. One parent, Reed, reported that his 15-year-old was stranded at Charlotte airport for 12 hours, while his 10-year-old, flying solo for the first time, was stuck in Orlando. In a desperate move, Reed purchased a ticket to New York to retrieve his middle child, while his sister flew to Atlanta to bring home the youngest. Delta later refunded Reed's ticket and allowed the youngest to fly home once the embargo was lifted. The airline's decision to halt unaccompanied minor travel was aimed at preventing children from being separated from their caregivers amid potential flight cancellations or delays. Delta representatives confirmed the embargo began on July 19, coinciding with the tech issues. Meanwhile, travelers at Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, Delta's largest hub, faced chaos, with thousands of pieces of luggage piled up in baggage claim areas. Dylan Steele, a federal worker stranded at the airport since Saturday, expressed frustration over being unable to change airlines due to his job's requirement to fly Delta. He ultimately abandoned his travel plans to Washington, D.C., as Delta informed him that his baggage would be sent to his home without him. Other travelers echoed Steele's sentiments, describing the experience as one of the worst in their years of business travel.