Delta to charge $50 for second checked bag on international routes

by Jeffrey White on

Well, we knew this day would arrive eventually.

Delta Airlines today announced that it would begin charging $50 for a second checked bag on its international routes.

That makes it the first US legacy carrier to implement a baggage fee for international travel.

American Airlines and United are reportedly studying Delta’s move, which means they’re weighing the same fee but want to see first whether it is really worth it.

Passengers with elite status on Delta, and active military personnel, are exempt from the new baggage fee.

The first checked bag remains free on Delta’s international routes.

Delta, the world’s largest airline, reported a $794 million first-quarter loss today, which it blames on both the bad economy and bad hedging on fuel prices.

The airline plans to reduce its international capacity by roughly 10 percent starting this fall.

Wrong switch, gets Delta fighter jet escort

by Tom Johansmeyer on

Don’t slip!

A Delta Airlines pilot accidentally activated a hijacking alert on a flight from New York to Tel Aviv. As a result, Israeli fighter jets were scrambled to escort the plane “safely” to Ben Gurion Airport.

The fighter jets lingered briefly over the airliner and its 100 passengers … ultimately for no reason. Then, they escorted the plane – and probably a confused flight crew – into Tel Aviv. A technical malfunction, apparently, kept the pilot from communicating with the airport’s tower.

Nobody was hurt in this bizarre event, according to Israeli transportation ministry official Dani Shenar, and an investigation will be launched.

Delta has Fewer Gates

by Annie Scott on

Delta is getting rid of gates to save cash.

According to Bloomberg.com, the airline will save tens of millions every year simply by operating with fewer gates. That seems pretty reasonable, but we have a feeling we’re gonna regret saying that the next time we can’t find a seat while we’re waiting to board.

Apparently, of the 249 Delta gates in Minneapolis, Detroit, Memphis, and other locations that were in need of new signs, Delta has only replaced 117. Fewer than half!

Delta has a goal to cut their expenses by 2 billion. Tens of millions isn’t much of a dent. What else can they cut? It’s not like their flights are rampant with expensive perks. To save that much … they’re probably going to have to stop flying airplanes.

Uniform changes, soft drinks wait for Delta and NWA

by Tom Johansmeyer on

This week, Northwest employees will get some new threads. Delta has announced that the vanquished will don the mother ship’s uniforms this week, calling it “one of the first outwardly visible signs that the two airlines are now one.” More important than the employees’ new sartorial splendor, free snacks are coming back to all flights!

But, one important question remains: Coke or Pepsi? Delta and Coca-Cola, both Atlanta-based, have had a near-marriage for more than 75 years. So, does Delta want some strange, or will it honor its long-term commitment? Northwest currently serves Pepsi products on its flights.

According to a Delta mouthpiece, it could take a while to come to a landing on the “beverage strategy.” So, for now: same duds, different suds.

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Delta passenger busts open exit door at JFK

by Tom Johansmeyer on

Every passenger stuck on the ground fantasizes about busting open the door and liberating people on the plane. For me, it usually involves the battle cry, “I GRANT YOU FREEDOM!!!” Of course, I’m no Robert McDonald. He acted on these urges during a delay at John F. Kennedy International Airport (yep, no surprise there).

The Glasgow, Scotland resident was charged with reckless and endangerment and criminal tampering for his shenanigans, which involved opening the emergency exit hatch. The cabin crew stopped McDonald before he could open the door enough to activate the emergency chute.

Delta Flight 149, which had just come from Rome and was to finish in Las Vegas, was stuck on the tarmac for close to three hours when the angry Scot had had enough. Local District Attorney Richard Brown offered a “no shit” explanation that highlights the benefits of a top legal education: “Apparently, the defendant wanted to get off the plane,” District Attorney Richard Brown said, “so he opened the emergency exit door.”

Ultimately, McDonald’s act of defiance ruined the evening for the 146 passengers on Flight 149. McDonald, who is 60 years old, risks spending the next one in prison if he’s convicted.