delta travel days

Delta Lake Time Travel

This post shows how to time travel between different versions of a Delta table with Delta Lake. You can time travel by table version or by timestamp. You’ll learn about the benefits of time travel and why it’s an essential feature for production data workloads.

You’ll also learn how the vacuum command can limit your ability to time travel. You must develop an optimal vacuum strategy that caters to your time travel needs.

Let’s dive into an example. If you'd like to follow along, all code snippets are in this notebook .

Delta Lake time travel by version with Python example

Let’s make a Delta table with the following three versions:

We’ll build this Delta table with these three versions by creating the Delta table, appending some data, and then performing an overwrite operation.

Let’s start by creating the Delta table to create Version 0:

Note: We’re using repartition(1) to output a single file to simplify this demonstration. You usually shouldn’t output a single file.

Now append some data to the Delta table, which will create Version 1:

Finally, overwrite the Delta table which will create Version 2 of the Delta table:

Let’s read in the latest version of the Delta table to confirm it only contains the Version 2 data:

Let’s look at some examples where we’re time traveling to different versions of the data. Here’s how to time travel back to Version 0 and read an earlier version of the Delta table:

Now read Version 1 of the Delta table:

We’ve already seen how Delta Lake will read in the latest version of the table by default when versionAsOf is not explicitly set. You can also explicitly read the latest version of the Delta table (Version 2 in this case):

Delta Lake makes it easy to time travel and read different versions of your Delta table. You can use the history command to show all versions of the Delta table and the associated timestamps.

Here’s the table that’s displayed:

Let’s learn more about how Delta Lake is architected to allow for this feature.

Delta Lake time travel intuition

Delta Lake stores data in Parquet files and information about transactions in the _delta_log metadata folder.

The _delta_log metadata folder tracks the Parquet data files that are added and removed from the Delta table for each transaction.

The following diagram shows the files added and removed for each transaction in our example.

Let’s look at how Delta Lake will inspect the transaction log and figure out which files should be read for each version:

• For Version 0, Delta Lake just needs to read File A
• Delta Lake will see both File A and File B should be read for Version 1
• For Version 2, Delta Lake will see that File A, File B, and File C were added, but File A and File B were removed, so only File C should be read. Delta Lake will only read File C and skip the other files when reading Version 2.

Delta Lake is intelligent about reading files by consulting the transaction log. Query engines need to perform expensive file listing operations when reading files stored in data lakes. It’s much more efficient to intelligently query the transaction log to fetch the relevant files for a given version.

Delta Lake time travel by timestamp

Delta Lake also lets you time travel based on timestamp.

Time travel by timestamp is a great way to visit your data at an earlier state without having to figure out the exact version.

Here’s an important detail worth knowing if you’re time-traveling based on timestamps and copying Delta tables to new locations. Delta Lake time-based time travel relies on file timestamps. When you copy a Delta Lake table to another location, it’s possible that the file timestamps will change, which will change the behavior of your time-based time travel code. So when copying Delta tables to another location, it’s crucial to retain the existing file timestamps.

Changing timestamps when you copy files isn’t a factor you need to consider if you’re time-traveling by version number of course.

Delta Lake time travel SQL example

Here’s the SQL syntax to time travel to a specific version:

And here’s the SQL syntax to time travel to a specific timestamp:

Time travel works the same whether you’re using the SQL or Python APIs. The only difference is the syntax.

Delta Lake time travel after vacuum

Delta Lake supports a VACUUM command that removes files from storage that are older than the retention period and have been marked for removal in the transaction log.

If the VACUUM command removes a file from storage that a given Delta table version depends on you will no longer be able to time travel to that version of the Delta table.

You need to set the retention period of your Delta tables to suit your time travel needs for a given table. Some tables should never be vacuumed because you want to retain access to every version. Other tables should be vacuumed frequently to save on storage costs. See this blog post on the vacuum command for more details.

You should make sure to set a vacuum strategy for your tables that’s optimized for your time travel needs.

Delta Lake restore vs. time travel

Delta Lake supports a restore command that makes it easy to bring back a prior version of the Delta table to be considered the “current version”. See this blog post on the RESTORE command for more information.

You have to specify the version every time you time travel because it doesn’t change the current version of the Delta table like RESTORE. Suppose a Delta table has three versions, and you time-travel back to Version 0. When you read the latest version of the Delta table again, it will still default back to the current version, even after you’ve time traveled

RESTORE is better when you want to reset the current version of the table. For example, restore is great for when you ingest bad data and would like to undo the append for other readers.

Delta Lake time travel vs. data lake support

Delta Lake makes it easy to time travel between different versions of a Delta table. It’s a straightforward operation that’s a natural extension of the Delta Lake transaction log.

Data lakes do not support time travel. When you’re reading a data lake, you always have to read the latest version. Build-in time travel is an important feature Delta Lake offers compared to data lakes.

This post taught you how to time travel between different versions of a Delta table by version number and by timestamp.

You learned how the Delta transaction log makes it easy to implement time travel and how deleting historical files in your Delta table can limit your ability to time travel to specific versions.

You need to be careful to set the retention period for your Delta tables so that you can time travel, but also with the right amount of flexibility to vacuum files and save on storage costs (if that’s important). See the vacuum blog post for more details.

See here for another blog on time travel that describes real-world use cases for this functionality.

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Delta's Travel Tuesday Sale Has 25% Off Flights and More

The carrier is offering deals on its Delta One first class, Premium Select, and Comfort+ seats on select flights around the world until Nov. 29.

Delta Air Lines is celebrating the holiday season with its biggest-ever premium cabin sale for Travel Tuesday.

The carrier is offering deals on its Delta One first class, Premium Select, and Comfort+ seats on select flights around the world, the airline shared with Travel + Leisure . The deal is available for purchases made by Nov. 29, and is valid on travel throughout 2024 with exact dates depending on the destination. 

“Our customers mean the world to us and we’re excited to share our largest sale on premium cabins with them on Cyber Monday,” Shannon Womack, the managing director of lifecycle marketing with Delta Air Lines, told T+L. “We’re more committed than ever to finding new ways to reward our customers and elevate their travel experiences.”

Delta Airlines

Travelers can book a one-way Delta One flight to Japan, for example, starting at just 150,000 miles, or travel to the country in Premium Select starting at just 125,000 miles one-way. Travelers can also head to South Korea in Delta One starting at just 100,000 miles one-way. These flights are valid from mid-December through March 2024.

Travelers flying across the pond can save 20 to 25 percent off select transatlantic flights in Delta One, Premium Select, or Comfort+ from Dec. 12 through March 8, 2024. But travel is blacked out from Dec. 14 to Jan. 8, 2024.

And travelers heading to Santiago, Rio de Janeiro, or Buenos Aires can save 15 percent off their total fare when purchasing a Delta One, Premium Select, or Comfort+ ticket in 2024 from April to June or from August to October.

In addition, Delta is offering an extra 15 percent off these deals for Delta SkyMiles Gold, Platinum, and Reserve customers as well as Business American Express card members. And SkyMiles members will receive 2X miles on qualifying flights.

Travelers who don’t book the sale can still save on a Delta trip thanks to an under-the-radar  booking hack involving price notifications on Google Flights and the ability to modify a flight even after you’ve paid.

The sale comes after Delta Air Lines announced major changes to its SkyMiles loyalty program for next year, making it harder to earn status or access the airline’s Delta Sky Club airport lounges. Following its original announcement , however, the airline received swift backlash and was forced to walk back some of its more dramatic changes.

Related Articles

Terms and Conditions

Benefits pursuant to this offer are limited to individuals who (a) have enrolled as members of both the SkyMiles program and Starbucks Rewards program and (b) linked their SkyMiles account and their Starbucks Rewards accounts on DeltaStarbucks.com (a “Linked Account”). You can only link one Starbucks Rewards account with one SkyMiles member account.

Everyday Incentive Mileage Offer on Qualifying Reloads: Linked Account members will earn miles based on the total reload amount to that Linked Account member’s U.S. Starbucks Rewards account, in a single reload through either the Starbucks mobile application or Starbucks website from a U.S. Starbucks Rewards account, based on the corresponding Qualifying Reload Tiers, excluding dollars spent toward taxes and tips: 25 miles for reload amounts of $25-$49.99 (USD), 75 miles for reload amounts of $50-$74.99 (USD), 125 miles for reload amounts of $75-$99.99 (USD), and 200 miles for reload amounts of $100 or more (USD) (each, a “Qualifying Reload Tier”), up to a maximum of $2,000 (USD) in reload activity per Starbucks Card per day. Excludes reloads made using funds from Starbucks gift cards or other third-party gift cards. Linked Account members will not earn additional miles when they use the actual Qualifying Reload Tier amounts. Other terms and conditions of use of the Starbucks Card apply.

Double Stars on Delta Travel Days: Linked Account members will earn Double Stars on all Qualifying Purchases on Delta Travel Days (as defined below). On Double Stars on Delta Travel Days, Linked Account members will earn (a) 4 Stars for every $1 USD (excluding dollars spent toward taxes and tips) spent on Qualifying Purchases when paying with a preloaded Starbucks Card registered to their Starbucks Rewards account; (b) 2 Stars per $1 USD (excluding dollars spent toward taxes and tips) spent on Qualifying Purchases when paying with a credit card, debit card or mobile wallet linked to your Starbucks Rewards account; and (c) 2 Stars for every $1 USD (excluding dollars spent toward taxes and tips) spent on Qualifying Purchases when they scan their barcode located in the Starbucks mobile app and then pay with cash, credit card, debit card, or select mobile wallets at the register at Participating Starbucks Stores. “Qualifying Purchase” means any purchase at a Participating Starbucks Store of food, beverage(s), and/or merchandise, excluding purchases of alcoholic beverages, Starbucks Card eGifts and physical Starbucks gift cards (“Starbucks Cards”). “Participating Starbucks Stores” are Starbucks locations where a Starbucks Rewards member can earn Stars (as defined in the Starbucks Rewards Terms of Use). “Delta Travel Days” means the period starting 12:01AM and ending at Midnight on the local departure date of a Delta-marketed or Delta-operated flight for which the Linked Account member has included their SkyMiles number in the itinerary; provided that if there are multiple connecting segments with a layover in such itinerary, or if the itinerary continues beyond a single 24-hour period, then the Delta Travel Day will be deemed to be the departure date of the of the first segment of the itinerary. Delta flights booked within 48 hours prior to the time of the scheduled departure will not be deemed to be a Delta Travel Day and you will not be eligible to earn this Double Stars offer under such itinerary.

Miles will be deposited into your SkyMiles account within 10 business days of completing the offer. Miles are bonus miles and do not count toward Medallion Status or Million Miler Status.  

Additional terms:

By linking your SkyMiles and Starbucks Rewards accounts, you agree to these Terms and Conditions, and you agree that Starbucks and Delta may share your information (including, for the avoidance of doubt, Delta flight information) for the purpose of tracking and processing your miles into your SkyMiles account and Stars into your Starbucks Rewards account and sending you targeted offers. SkyMiles member must be the same individual person as the Starbucks Rewards account holder in order to link accounts and qualify to earn miles and Stars.

The Starbucks Rewards program is governed by the Starbucks Rewards Terms of Use and Starbucks Privacy Policy, which are incorporated by reference. For more information visit www.starbucks.com/Rewards .

All SkyMiles Program Rules apply. To review the rules, please visit  delta.com/memberguide . Partner offers subject to the terms and conditions of each individual offer. The Double Stars on Delta Travel Days offer will not apply, and the Linked Account member will not be eligible for Double Stars, on itineraries (or portions thereof) containing the following:

• Refunded, void or unused tickets, including unused nonrefundable tickets.
• Airline employees, travel agents, tour conductors, and/or other persons traveling on a nonrevenue basis or travel industry/cargo customer discount fares.
• Charter flights.

You may de-link your SkyMiles and Starbucks Rewards accounts at any time by providing notice to Delta and providing your name, last name, and SkyMiles number.

Offer(s) subject to change, and may be modified, suspended or terminated at any time without notice. Offers void where prohibited by law. Other restrictions may apply. Determinations of eligibility are made in Starbucks and Delta’s sole discretion. Starbucks and Delta reserve the right to review and investigate all offer activities, and to suspend accounts or remove Stars and miles for suspected abuse, violation of terms, or fraud.

Delta, SkyMiles and the Delta logo are registered service marks of Delta Air Lines, Inc. Delta is not responsible for goods or services offered by Starbucks.

Starbucks and the Starbucks logos are registered trademarks of Starbucks Corporation.

How to change or cancel a Delta Air Lines flight

Delta Air Lines used to have one of the most restrictive change and cancellation policies . But once the pandemic hit and airlines started to loosen up, Delta followed suit. The Delta cancellation policy and Delta refund policy are now quite favorable and in line with most other major U.S. carriers.

No matter which fare class you purchase, you'll likely be able to cancel your Delta flight. And you'll no longer face incredibly high fees when changing or canceling most fare types.

With the current Delta refund policy, you'll be in a better situation than in the past if your plans change and you need to change or cancel a Delta flight. If that situation does arise, here's everything you need to know.

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Canceling a Delta flight

Cancel a paid Delta reservation

When purchasing a Delta Air Lines flight, there are three fare options: basic economy, nonrefundable and refundable. The nonrefundable and refundable options will give you the most flexibility, whereas basic economy options are relatively restrictive.

When searching for flights on the Delta Air Lines website, you'll typically see a few options: Basic, Main, Comfort+, First and Delta One (depending on the type of plane).

You can book Main, Comfort+, First and Delta One fares as nonrefundable or refundable. You'll usually see the nonrefundable option by default unless you select the "refundable" checkbox during your search.

But after selecting a nonrefundable flight, a pop-up will usually show you the price difference between nonrefundable and refundable fares.

You can usually cancel a Delta basic economy ticket , but you'll typically face a fee. Canceling basic economy fares for travel within the U.S. or to Mexico, the Caribbean or Central America costs $99, while other routes cost $199.

If you cancel a basic economy ticket, you'll receive an eCredit for the remaining value. However, with the ongoing pandemic, you'll want to see if Delta has released any waivers for basic economy flights. Typically, eCredits would expire a year after they are received. But, due to the pandemic, Delta has extended all eCredits through Dec. 31, 2023.

Nonrefundable tickets, on the other hand, have no fees for canceling travel originating in North America. If you need to cancel your ticket, you'll end up with an eCredit for the full amount paid. However, for flights originating outside North America, you'll still be on the hook for a fee of up to $500 based on the Delta cancellation policy. Specifically, for tickets originating in Europe, the cancellation fee is 150 euros (about $158); and for tickets originating in Africa, the Middle East and India, the cancellation fee is $199.

There are a few caveats to the above rules, though. For travel originating in Mexico, you cannot change your ticket, so, the Delta refund policy won't give you anything if you need to cancel. Additionally, for travel originating in Korea, you'll receive the refund back to your original form of payment (after Delta deducts the respective cancellation fee) instead of an eCredit.

Additionally, for all flights originating in the U.S. — even basic economy flights — you can cancel within 24-hours of making the reservation for a full refund.

If you purchase a refundable ticket and need to cancel, you'll receive the full amount paid back to your original form of payment without any fees. While refundable tickets typically cost more to buy, if you think there's a good chance you'll have to cancel and you don't want to worry about a Delta credit, buying a refundable ticket might be your best option.

To be eligible for a Delta refund, you'll need to cancel your flight before departure. If you are a "no show" (which means not showing up for your flight without changing or canceling prior), you'll lose the entire value of your ticket. Additionally, Delta will cancel any remaining flights on your itinerary.

Related: Delta gets approval for South Africa triangle route, will launch Cape Town service

Cancel a Delta reservation booked with miles

Redeeming Delta miles for your flight will typically give you the most flexibility if you need to cancel. All award flights, except those booked as basic economy awards, can be canceled before the flight's departure with no fee. Once canceled, the miles used for the flight will go back to the account they were booked from — again, with no redeposit fee. The taxes and fees paid will also go back to the original form of payment.

You can cancel basic economy award tickets, but Delta will deduct between 9,900 and 19,900 miles from the cost of your mileage ticket. For flights within the U.S., or to Canada, Mexico, Central America or the Caribbean, Delta will charge you 9,900 miles. For all other flights, you're looking at a 19,900 mileage fee. Delta will deduct this fee from the miles you paid before refunding the remaining miles to your account. The only way around the Delta cancellation policy (and this cancellation fee) is if you cancel your Delta flight within 24 hours of making the reservation.

Additionally, Delta used to have a policy where you couldn't change or cancel a flight within 72-hours of the flight's departure. Fortunately, this is no longer the case and you can cancel your flight within that "last minute" window.

Related: Your complete guide to the Delta SkyMiles program

How to cancel a Delta flight

Delta has made it incredibly easy to cancel a flight online. While you can always call to cancel, there's a good chance you'll wait on hold for a substantial amount of time .

Instead, in your Delta account, go to "My Trips." All of your upcoming flights should appear, or you can find a specific itinerary by entering your first name, last name and confirmation number. Once you are in the itinerary that you want to cancel, click the "Modify" button at the top.

You'll then have the option to change or cancel your flight. If you're canceling a Delta flight, you'll want to select the "cancel" button. Delta lists the cost of the flight along with the refund details. From there, you can go ahead and confirm the cancellation.

Although Delta's official policy is to redeposit miles within 72 hours, I've always received my miles back almost immediately.

Related: How to change or cancel a United Airlines flight

Changing a Delta flight

Change a paid Delta reservation

There might be a situation where you want to change your upcoming Delta Air Lines reservation instead of canceling. While this is possible for some reservations, the structure works similarly to canceling and rebooking.

As I discussed above, there are three different reservation types: basic economy, nonrefundable and refundable.

Basic economy tickets do not allow flight changes. Instead, you'll need to cancel your Delta flight (with the associated fees discussed above) and then book your desired flight.

But, you can change nonrefundable and refundable reservations without going through the hassle of canceling and rebooking. You'll be charged the same fees as canceling a flight for nonrefundable fares ($0 to $500, depending on where the flight originates). But, for fully refundable flights, there's no fee to change your flight.

If the flight price has gone up, you'll need to pay the fare difference in both circumstances. But, if your flight has gone down in price, you'll end up with an eCredit for the difference in the price paid and the new fare cost. According to the Delta refund policy, fully refundable flights will receive the price difference back to their form of payment.

Even if you're not looking to change your flight, if you noticed that your originally scheduled flight has gone down in price, you can go through the change process to receive the difference back. To do this, select your same flight by following the "change flight" process below.

Related: Delta's inferior 'new' A350s are coming sooner than expected — and to a 3rd route

Change a Delta reservation booked with miles

Changing a Delta reservation booked with miles follows the same policies as paid reservations. As such, basic economy awards can't be changed and instead need to be canceled (with the respective fees) and then rebooked.

You can change to a different flight for no fee on all other tickets. However, you'll need to pay the difference in miles if your flight costs more. Alternatively, if the number of miles required has dropped, you'll receive the difference back into your account. Similar to paid fares, this policy will help you reprice an award ticket if your flight has decreased in miles.

Related: Delta now has 'dynamic' seat maps that automatically block rows for families

Change a Delta reservation within 24 hours of travel

In 2021, Delta made customer-friendly improvements for those looking to change their flight last minute — which means within 24 hours of the originally scheduled departure. There are two options for flights within the United States, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands: same-day confirmed and same-day standby.

If your flight has gone up in price, utilizing one of these two options will save you more money than simply changing your flight to the more expensive flight. Unfortunately, these options are not available if you have a basic economy ticket.

For same-day confirmed changes, if a seat in your originally purchased fare class (or a downgraded fare class) is available, you can change your ticket to a confirmed seat on a new flight (for the same day of travel with the same the departure and arrival cities). The cost is $75, or complimentary for those with Delta Diamond, Platinum or Gold status. You can confirm a same-day seat through your account on the Delta App .

If the same-day confirmed option isn't available, you can use same-day standby to wait for a seat on an earlier flight on the same day as your original flight. Delta will keep your original reservation intact unless it can assign you a seat on the earlier flight. There is no fee for this option.

Related: What is Delta Air Lines elite status worth?

How to change a Delta flight

Changing a Delta flight can be done online through your Delta account. The start of the process is similar to if you were to cancel your flight.

In your Delta account's "My trip" section, you'll see your upcoming flights. Similar to canceling a flight, you'll want to click the "Modify" button in the specific itinerary you need to change. You'll then want to select the "Start flight change" button.

From there, you'll want to enter the new airports and departure date.

Once you select your new flight, the right-side rail will inform you of the difference in miles — if there is a difference — and your total cost or refund. Delta will also tell you if there's a difference in the taxes and fees. You then must click the "Complete change" button on the bottom to confirm your change.

Change fee waivers for a schedule change

Delta Air Lines goes through schedule changes quite often. If you have a flight that you need to cancel or change, you might be better off waiting to see if there is a schedule change . After all, a schedule change may let you change or cancel your flight easier or with fewer fees.

Even though Delta has done away with most fees, a few ticket types still incur a fee, such as basic economy tickers. But, a schedule change may let you change to another flight with no fare difference. It can also allow you to get a full refund to your original form of payment — if you want to cancel — instead of an eCredit.

Related: What to do when an airline changes your flight

Usually, you'll receive an email when there's a schedule change. Delta will usually notify you if your flight qualifies for a fee waiver. Or, if you see one of the following situations occur, you can call Delta and request a new flight as well:

• A delay of 120 minutes or more.
• A change in the routing of a scheduled Delta flight that adds one or more stops to the original itinerary.
• A change in equipment from Delta Mainline to Delta Connection carrier.
• Any change that causes a misconnect.
• If a flight cancels and no comparable or acceptable routing is available within 120 minutes.

If any of the above situations happen, you can opt for a new flight on the same day as the originally scheduled flight. The flight has to be the same origin and destination and the same class of service. Previously, Delta allowed you to change to a flight one day before or after, but this is no longer the case.

The above scenarios may also unlock the possibility of a full refund on a nonrefundable ticket.

Related: How to change or cancel an American Airlines flight

Bottom line

Delta's cancellation policy is now extremely customer friendly if you need to cancel or change an upcoming flight. For flights originating in North America, there's no fee to cancel a flight as long as you don't hold a basic economy ticket.

Thanks to the current Delta refund policy, paid fares will receive an eCredit (unless you booked a fully refundable fare) and those booked on miles will see the full amount of miles deposited back into their account.

Although Delta used to have one of the most stringent policies, it's nice to see that it has come around to making flight cancellations and changes easier for its members. This helps travelers book a flight even if they aren't 100% sure of their upcoming plans — especially when redeeming miles.

Best Days To Book Flights On Delta Unlock Savings

Best days to book flights on Delta are MONDAY, TUESDAY, AND WEDNESDAY.

Finding cheap airfares is a common objective while arranging a vacation. Saving money on the flight may make a big difference in the total cost of your trip, whether you’re flying for business or pleasure.

In order to save money, clever vacationers know to book their flights on certain days.

This post will discuss the most cost-effective times to book a trip on Delta Airlines and provide helpful advice.

It is important to understand the elements that determine travel pricing before delving into the special days that give the greatest discounts for Delta flights.

Some of these elements are:

Higher rates are typical during peak travel seasons and for the most popular vacation spots.

The expense of a flight may vary depending on the fare class selected or the kind of ticket purchased.

Best Time To Buy Delta International Flights

Delta Airlines overseas flights must be booked at the right time. When buying Delta international tickets, timing is crucial.

Delta international flights 60 days in advance save money, according to research. Airlines raise rates as the trip date nears and ticket demand rises.

And Delta sales and promotions are also important. In off-peak seasons, the airline provides lower tickets. Delta’s email newsletters and social media sites keep you informed about forthcoming specials and the greatest prices.

Travel season is also important. Flight fares rise during peak travel months like summer and holidays . To save money, go off-peak. If you must go during high season, buy flights months in advance to get the cheapest discounts.

Travel dates and timings should be flexible. Delta’s “flexible dates” search feature shows travel dates and costs. Selecting the cheapest travel dates might save you a lot on foreign flights.

Are Delta Airlines Tickets Cheaper At The Airport?

Not usually, Delta Airlines airport tickets are seldom cheaper when purchased at the airport directly.

Airport tickets frequently include extra costs. Delta Airlines recommends booking tickets in advance using its website, mobile app, or approved travel agents .

Online booking lets you compare costs, check fare alternatives, and take advantage of discounts and specials. Delta Airlines provides online specials and reduced tickets that may not be accessible at the airport ticket counter.

Buying tickets at the airport may take time, particularly during peak travel times when lines are long. Online booking lets you choose flights, seats, and extras without waiting in line.

Demand, seasonality, and availability affect ticket costs. Wherever you buy tickets, prices might fluctuate. To get the greatest rates and prevent last-minute price hikes, check pricing, set fare alerts, and purchase Delta Airlines tickets early.

CLICK HERE TO LEARN ABOUT BRINGING PERSONAL ITEMS ON THE PLANE.

When does delta release flights.

Delta Airlines usually opens booking 331 days in advance. You may browse and book flights 11 months in advance.

Route popularity, timetable changes, and market circumstances affect flight release. Delta typically opens flight reservations 11 months before departure.

Delta Airlines accepts flight reservations early, but flight, seat, and ticket availability may vary. If you have certain travel dates or preferences, book your flights early since popular routes and peak travel seasons fill up rapidly.

Summing Up Best Days to Book Flights on Delta

Best days to book flights on Delta ARE MONDAY, TUESDAY, AND WEDNESDAY.

The best days to book Delta Airlines tickets might save you money.

When choosing the best days to book Delta flights, consider route, demand, and seasonality.

• Delta flights are best booked on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Airlines announce weekly ticket promotions on Monday nights, while rivals alter their pricing on Tuesdays. Flights may be cheaper and more available midweek after the first rush to book.
• Saturday: Book Delta flights on Saturday. Fewer business travelers on this day may decrease demand and pricing. Weekend vacationers generally book tickets in advance, leaving Saturday flights with fewer passengers.
• E arly Morning and Late Night: Booking flights early or late may occasionally provide better discounts. Off-peak travel periods have lesser demand, thus airlines may decrease tickets to fill seats.
• Off-Peak Seasons: Delta offers cheaper flights during off-seasons. Seating is usually less competitive during these seasons. Avoiding peak vacations and travel seasons may provide lower costs and more flying alternatives.
• Holiday Periods: Strategically booking holidays might provide lower rates . Booking Thanksgiving or Christmas flights months in advance may occasionally save money. However, holiday travel costs tend to be higher, so it’s essential to book early to get the best deals.

Tips for discovering Delta Airlines’ greatest flight deals:

• Compare airline and date rates on ticket comparison websites.
• Fare alerts notify you when prices reduce for your favorite routes.
• Flexible travel dates enable you to take advantage of reduced costs.
• Consider nearby airports with lower prices.
• Delta’s frequent flyer programs provide miles and rewards.
• These tips may help you discover cheap flights, but rates can fluctuate depending on several variables. To get the greatest Delta airline fares, book early and monitor pricing.

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7 Things to Know About Delta’s Flight Delay Compensation Policy

Natasha is a freelance writer and frequent traveler. She writes about luxury travel, travel hacking and credit card rewards. Her goal is to encourage more people to experience the world around them.

Many or all of the products featured here are from our partners who compensate us. This influences which products we write about and where and how the product appears on a page. However, this does not influence our evaluations. Our opinions are our own. Here is a list of our partners and here's how we make money .

Flight delays are common and they may happen when you least expect them. When it comes to federal rules requiring U.S. airlines to compensate travelers for regular delays—there aren’t any.

However, each airline can outline its policies for handling these situations. For example, when flying with Delta Air Lines, in some cases, the airline may compensate inconvenienced travelers for expenses such as an overnight hotel stay for delays that stretch overnight.

If you’re planning to fly with Delta soon, you should study the brand’s policies to know what to expect regarding Delta flight delay compensation. Here are seven things you should know:

1. Airlines, including Delta, aren’t required to provide compensation for delays

The U.S. Department of Transportation outlines rules that airlines must follow. And the DOT states that airlines aren’t required to compensate for delays for flights departing the U.S.

Due to recent DOT proposals, consumer protections for flight cancellations may change this fall.

Each airline can outline policies for handling flight disruption and delays. So it’s a good idea to be familiar with your carrier’s policies before you head to the airport. Luckily, Delta is known for being generous, and in some cases, you may qualify for Delta flight delay compensation.

» Learn more: The best airline credit cards right now

2. Delta will keep customers informed about delays

Delta is committed to making customers aware of known delays, cancellations and diversions. According to the airline’s customer commitment , the airline will alert customers within thirty minutes of becoming aware of the change of status of the flight.

This includes displaying updates on boarding gate signs, flight information display screens at airports, and on the Delta website and app. It’s a good idea to keep an eye on the status of your flight so you know what to expect.

3. Delta will rebook you on the next available flight

If you experience a delay, cancellation or other operational disruptions, Delta will automatically attempt to rebook you on the next available flight. The airline will also make every reasonable effort to reroute your checked baggage on the same flight.

4. If you’re inconvenienced overnight, Delta will provide hotel accommodations or offer compensation

Delta’s customer commitment outlines what the airline will do if delays, cancellations or irregular operations result in you being inconvenienced overnight.

The airline promises to do the following:

Delta will provide hotel accommodations at Delta contracted facilities based on availability if you are inconvenienced overnight while away from your home or destination due to a delay, misconnect or cancellation within Delta’s control.

If accommodations are unavailable, the airline will compensate you with a transportation credit commensurate in value with the contracted hotel rate up to $100.

5. You can ask for compensation

If you experience extended delays or other significant travel disruptions while flying with Delta, you should ask a staff member if they will offer compensation.

Keep the above policies in mind and see what the airline will do for you. The Transportation Department notes that even though airlines aren’t required to offer compensation, customers may ask for it.

If you end up paying for hotel or transit costs out of pocket due to a delay, keep your receipts and submit a claim through the airline. You can ask Delta Air Lines to reimburse you for these added travel costs. You may also consider asking for some Delta SkyMiles for the inconvenience.

If you don’t ask or aren’t offered compensation, additional food, hotel and transit costs will be your responsibility—making your trip much more expensive.

6. Travel insurance can protect you even more

If you’re worried about the potential for flight delays, you may want to invest in travel insurance.

With the right travel insurance policy, you may be able to file a claim for compensation for expenses resulting from travel delays and disruptions.

You can purchase coverage through a travel insurance agency. However, comparing travel insurance policies is a good idea before buying one.

You should also compare coverage details to ensure you get the right policy for your needs. There are several resources available that will allow you to compare policies from different insurance companies.

Travel insurance could be a beneficial backup resource since flight delay compensation isn’t guaranteed and requires additional steps.

» Learn more: How to find the best travel insurance

7. Your travel card may already include travel insurance benefits

Some premium travel cards include travel insurance coverage as a card benefit. If you use an eligible card to book your Delta tickets, you may be able to file a claim to receive compensation for extra expenses not covered by Delta due to flight delays.

The exact coverage offered varies by card but may include coverage for trip delays, trip interruptions, baggage delays and lost baggage.

Some examples of travel cards with travel insurance benefits include:

on Chase's website

on American Express' website

• Trip delay: Up to $500 per ticket for delays more than 12 hours.

• Trip cancellation: Up to $10,000 per person and $20,000 per trip. Maximum benefit of $40,000 per 12-month period.

• Trip interruption: Up to $10,000 per person and $20,000 per trip. Maximum benefit of $40,000 per 12-month period.

• Baggage delay: Up to $100 per day for five days.

• Lost luggage: Up to $3,000 per passenger.

• Trip delay: Up to $500 per ticket for delays more than 6 hours.

• Trip delay: Up to $500 per trip for delays more than 6 hours.

• Trip cancellation: Up to $10,000 per trip. Maximum benefit of $20,000 per 12-month period.

• Trip interruption: Up to $10,000 per trip. Maximum benefit of $20,000 per 12-month period.

Terms apply.

» Learn more: Credit cards that provide travel insurance

Review your policy before your trip if you have a card with these perks. It’s important to know what’s covered and whether there are any exclusions before you make a claim.

The bottom line

No one likes dealing with travel delays, but they do happen. Delta may offer compensation depending on the situation and severity of your flight delay. However, the airline isn’t required to compensate customers in most cases.

You can ask the airline what they will do for you if you experience lengthy travel disruptions. To better protect yourself, consider investing in a travel insurance policy.

Insurance Benefit: Trip Delay Insurance

Up to $500 per Covered Trip that is delayed for more than 6 hours; and 2 claims per Eligible Card per 12 consecutive month period.

Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply.

Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details.

Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.

Insurance Benefit: Trip Cancellation and Interruption Insurance

The maximum benefit amount for Trip Cancellation and Interruption Insurance is $10,000 per Covered Trip and $20,000 per Eligible Card per 12 consecutive month period.

Insurance Benefit: Baggage Insurance Plan

Baggage Insurance Plan coverage can be in effect for Covered Persons for eligible lost, damaged, or stolen Baggage during their travel on a Common Carrier Vehicle (e.g., plane, train, ship, or bus) when the Entire Fare for a ticket for the trip (one-way or round-trip) is charged to an Eligible Card. Coverage can be provided for up to $2,000 for checked Baggage and up to a combined maximum of $3,000 for checked and carry-on Baggage, in excess of coverage provided by the Common Carrier. The coverage is also subject to a $3,000 aggregate limit per Covered Trip. For New York State residents, there is a $2,000 per bag/suitcase limit for each Covered Person with a $10,000 aggregate maximum for all Covered Persons per Covered Trip.

Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.

How to maximize your rewards

You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are some of the best travel credit cards of 2024 :

Flexibility, point transfers and a large bonus: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

No annual fee: Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card

Flat-rate travel rewards: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Bonus travel rewards and high-end perks: Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Luxury perks: The Platinum Card® from American Express

Business travelers: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

1x-5x 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases.

60,000 Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.

on Capital One's website

2x-5x Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day. Earn 5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options.

75,000 Enjoy a one-time bonus of 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel.

Winter is here! Check out the winter wonderlands at these 5 amazing winter destinations in Montana

• Plan Your Trip

Delta: How To Schedule A Layover

Published: December 25, 2023

Modified: December 28, 2023

by Reena Kerley

• Travel Tips

Introduction

Planning a trip can be an exhilarating experience, especially when you have the opportunity to explore new destinations and immerse yourself in diverse cultures. However, the process of getting from point A to point B often involves layovers, which can be viewed as an inconvenience by some travelers. In reality, layovers present a unique opportunity to add an extra dimension to your travel experience, especially when flying with a reputable airline like Delta Air Lines.

When it comes to scheduling a layover, Delta Air Lines offers a plethora of options that cater to the preferences and interests of various travelers. Whether you’re a seasoned globetrotter or embarking on your first international journey, understanding the significance of layovers and how to make the most of them can elevate your travel adventures to new heights. In this guide, we’ll delve into the world of layovers, uncovering the benefits of scheduling a layover, and providing invaluable tips for optimizing your time during these brief intermissions.

So, fasten your seatbelt and prepare for a journey through the realm of layovers with Delta Air Lines as your trusted travel companion.

Understanding Layovers

Before delving into the intricacies of scheduling a layover with Delta Air Lines, it’s essential to grasp the concept of layovers and their role in the realm of air travel. A layover occurs when a traveler has to change planes at an intermediate point during their journey to reach the final destination. This transition period can vary in duration, ranging from a brief hour or two to a more extended stay of several hours.

It’s important to differentiate between layovers and stopovers. While layovers involve a relatively short period of time between connecting flights, stopovers entail a more extended stay in a city, often exceeding 24 hours. For the purpose of this guide, we’ll focus on the art of scheduling layovers, which can add an element of excitement and exploration to your travel itinerary.

Delta Air Lines, renowned for its commitment to passenger satisfaction and seamless travel experiences, offers a myriad of layover options at various hub airports. Whether you’re transiting through the bustling Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport or the vibrant cultural hub of Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, understanding the layover process with Delta Air Lines enables you to make informed decisions that align with your travel preferences.

By comprehending the distinction between layovers and stopovers and recognizing the opportunities they present, you can approach your travel plans with a sense of anticipation and eagerness, knowing that each layover is a chance to embark on a micro-adventure before reaching your ultimate destination.

Benefits of Scheduling a Layover

Scheduling a layover with Delta Air Lines offers an array of benefits that extend beyond the mere act of connecting flights. Rather than considering layovers as mere inconveniences, savvy travelers recognize them as opportunities to enrich their travel experiences in numerous ways.

1. Explore New Destinations: Opting for a longer layover allows you to venture out of the airport and explore the city or region where the layover occurs. This presents a chance to immerse yourself in a new culture, savor local cuisine, and visit iconic landmarks, effectively transforming a layover into a mini-vacation.

2. Break Up Long Journeys: For extensive international journeys, layovers provide a welcome break, allowing you to stretch your legs, relax in airport lounges, and rejuvenate before continuing your travels. This intermission can mitigate the fatigue often associated with prolonged flights, ensuring you arrive at your final destination feeling refreshed and invigorated.

3. Flexibility in Flight Itineraries: Scheduling a layover offers flexibility in crafting your travel itinerary. Whether you wish to extend your layover to explore a new city or opt for a shorter connection time to expedite your journey, Delta Air Lines provides a range of options to accommodate your preferences.

4. Cultural Immersion: Embracing a layover presents an opportunity to engage with diverse cultures and traditions, fostering a deeper understanding of the destinations you encounter. Whether it’s a brief encounter with local customs or a leisurely exploration of renowned attractions, each layover enriches your travel narrative with unique cultural encounters.

By recognizing and embracing the benefits of scheduling a layover, travelers can transform what might have been perceived as a logistical necessity into a captivating and enriching aspect of their journey with Delta Air Lines.

Choosing the Right Layover Duration

When it comes to selecting the ideal layover duration, several factors come into play, each influencing the overall travel experience. Delta Air Lines offers a diverse range of layover options, enabling travelers to tailor their journeys to align with their preferences and priorities.

1. Exploration Time: If your goal is to explore the layover city, opting for a longer duration, typically exceeding 6 hours, allows ample time to venture beyond the airport confines and immerse yourself in the local culture and attractions. This duration enables you to savor a meal at a renowned local eatery, visit iconic landmarks, and absorb the essence of the destination.

2. Efficiency and Convenience: For travelers seeking a swift and efficient journey, a shorter layover duration is advisable. Delta Air Lines offers seamless connections with shorter layovers, ensuring a smooth transition between flights without prolonged waiting periods. This option is ideal for those prioritizing a streamlined travel experience.

3. Airport Amenities: Consider the amenities available at the layover airport when determining the ideal duration. Airports serviced by Delta Air Lines boast a myriad of facilities, including lounges, dining options, and retail outlets. Depending on your preferences, you may choose to maximize your time within the airport, indulging in culinary delights or relaxing in premium lounges.

4. Personal Preferences: Ultimately, the right layover duration hinges on your individual travel style and interests. Whether you relish the opportunity to explore new destinations or prefer a seamless, time-efficient journey, Delta Air Lines empowers you to customize your layover duration to suit your specific needs.

By carefully considering these factors and leveraging the flexibility offered by Delta Air Lines, travelers can strategically choose the optimal layover duration, ensuring a tailored and gratifying travel experience.

Tips for Making the Most of Your Layover

Maximizing the potential of your layover with Delta Air Lines involves strategic planning and a dash of adventurous spirit. Whether you’re eager to explore a new city or make the most of your time within the airport, these tips will elevate your layover experience to new heights.

1. Research and Plan Ahead: Prior to your journey, conduct thorough research on the layover city, identifying key attractions, dining options, and transportation modes. Having a tentative itinerary in place ensures that you can make the most of your time and navigate the city efficiently.

2. Pack Strategically: If you anticipate leaving the airport during your layover, pack essential items such as a portable charger, travel-sized toiletries, and a lightweight daypack. Dressing comfortably and wearing versatile footwear is also advisable for exploring the layover city with ease.

3. Utilize Airport Facilities: In the event of a shorter layover or if you prefer to remain within the airport, take advantage of the amenities offered by Delta Air Lines and the layover airport. Indulge in a delectable meal at a renowned restaurant, unwind in exclusive lounges, or engage in duty-free shopping to make the most of your time.

4. Stay Informed: Keep a close eye on your flight’s status and stay informed about any changes or updates. This ensures that you can manage your time effectively and make informed decisions, especially if you plan to explore the layover city.

5. Embrace Spontaneity: While planning is essential, don’t be afraid to embrace spontaneity during your layover. Serendipitous discoveries and impromptu experiences often contribute to the most memorable travel moments, so allow yourself to wander and uncover hidden gems.

6. Prioritize Comfort and Relaxation: If your layover involves an extended waiting period, prioritize comfort and relaxation. Find a cozy spot to unwind, catch up on reading, or engage in a bit of people-watching, ensuring that you arrive at your final destination feeling rejuvenated.

By incorporating these tips into your layover strategy, you can transform these transient interludes into captivating and fulfilling segments of your travel journey with Delta Air Lines.

Embarking on a journey with Delta Air Lines unveils a world of opportunities, with layovers serving as gateways to enriching travel experiences. By understanding the nuances of layovers and embracing the myriad benefits they offer, travelers can elevate their journeys from mere point-to-point travel to immersive and multi-faceted adventures.

Choosing the right layover duration, whether it involves exploring a new city or optimizing your time within the airport, empowers travelers to tailor their experiences to align with their preferences and priorities. Delta Air Lines, renowned for its commitment to passenger satisfaction and seamless travel, provides a diverse array of layover options, ensuring that each intermission becomes a valuable component of your travel narrative.

As you prepare for your next journey with Delta Air Lines, remember that a layover is not merely a pause in your travels, but an opportunity to delve into new cultures, savor unique experiences, and infuse your journey with a sense of adventure. Whether you opt for a brief connection or a lengthier layover, approach each interlude with curiosity and anticipation, knowing that Delta Air Lines is dedicated to facilitating a seamless and gratifying travel experience.

So, as you chart your travel course, consider the potential of layovers as moments of exploration and discovery, seamlessly woven into the tapestry of your journey with Delta Air Lines.

Bon voyage!

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Delta One Lounge at New York-JFK ushers in a new era of premium travel for airline

Delta is ready to welcome guests to its newest and most exclusive destination: The Delta One Lounge at New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport.

Located between Concourses A and B in Terminal 4, adjacent to the main security checkpoint, the sweeping 39,000-plus-square-foot Delta One Lounge – the first of its kind, and larger than any Delta Sky Club – offers a variety of experiences and amenities for the premium traveler, from fine dining to spa-like wellness treatments to valet services and more. Delta One ticketholders can curate their own one-of-a-kind Lounge experience, based on what their travel day is calling for.

It’s a new standard of elevated service – one that complements Delta’s most premium onboard offering and is brought to life by the signature hospitality for which Delta is known.

"Our teams have spared no detail to ensure Delta One Lounge guests receive a truly memorable experience," said Claude Roussel, Vice President – Delta Sky Clubs and Lounge Experience. "It’s a new era for Delta – this Lounge is raising the bar across the board, from the amenities to the food and beverage offerings to the level of personalized service. We want our guests to feel the difference here; moreover, we want them to feel welcomed and valued from the moment they step through the door."

Like no other: New York City’s newest attraction

The Delta One Lounge atmosphere is true to the magic of Manhattan – step inside and you’ll forget you’re in an airport.

As New York City’s hottest new destination, the Lounge features nods to other noted locations throughout the Big Apple, with thoughtfully curated surprises for New Yorkers and design enthusiasts alike.

The premium bar, serving elevated takes on classic cocktails, features a standout Art Deco-inspired lighting fixture; the Bar Lounge ceiling and fluted glass nod to the gold leaf ceiling and chandeliers of Radio City Music Hall.

Take a glimpse into the city’s past at the white-marble counter Market and Bakery, inspired by retro delicatessen food counters.

Fan-shaped marble mosaic tiles in the Market dining area pay tribute to famed New York brasseries. The penny-round ceiling over the food counter is a hat-tip to the original JFK terminal, designed by famed architect Eero Saarinen.

The iconic overlapping strands of the Brooklyn Bridge provided inspiration for the suspended lighting fixture in the dining room.

Just as JFK is a portal to the world, the Delta One Lounge features art that reflects the airport’s global reach. Take a stroll through the Lounge gallery, featuring artists from Europe, South Africa, India, Japan, Cuba and more.

These unique design touches create a space that is like no other: one that is modern while rooted in the city's past.

A touch of high fashion

Delta’s recently announced onboard partnership with Missoni is also reflected in the Lounge, with design touches like accent pillows, vases and coffee table books bearing the signature zigzag design of the Italian fashion house.

This new partnership with Missoni elevates Delta One like never before, weaving superior craftsmanship and high-end design into the finest details of your journey – both in flight and on the ground, with a host of opportunities ahead for the brands to continue this collaboration.

Many ways to One Lounge

Whether you’re looking to dine in style, relax before your flight, or take care of business, the Delta One Lounge has something for everyone.

Foodies, take note: The Lounge features a 140-seat Brasserie restaurant delivering a three-course meal service. Restaurant Associates and Union Square Events (a Danny Meyer concept) have collaborated to elevate the culinary experience in the Delta One Lounge, with dishes such as Hamachi crudo, steak tartare and lasagna Bolognese.

Prefer to set your own pace? Take charge of your dining experience with The Market and Bakery, featuring seasonal culinary offerings plated for walk-up service.

Beverage cart service allows you to enjoy premium hospitality without leaving your seat. Let Lounge servers meet you where you are for a guest experience similar to what you'd enjoy onboard.

Prepare for the journey ahead in the designated wellness area, equipped with nine reservable relaxation pods with full-body massage chairs and nap chairs, treatments from Grown-Alchemist certified therapists, and more.

Adjacent to the wellness area, the Serenity Lounge provides a quiet, tranquil space designed for pre-flight peace of mind. Specialty lamp lighting in the Serenity Lounge mimics the light colors affecting the body’s circadian rhythms, helping your body get acclimated to the time zone to which you will be flying.

Drink to your health at the Rejuvenation Bar, featuring refreshing, non-alcoholic beverages and fruit and herb-infused waters and juices.

Just landed and feeling the length of that transatlantic haul? Freshen up at one of eight well-appointed shower suites, featuring towels, bathrobes and slippers, Grown Alchemist products, and more. Clothes and shoes need a glow-up, too? Leave your items inside the suite closet; a valet attendant will steam and/or shine them and return them while you shower.

Buckle down

Guests in do-not-disturb mode can take care of business in one of eight individual soundproof booths located in the Lounge, or borrow a second monitor to complete any last-minute work.

Take it all in

Enjoy views of the airfield from the Terrace, replete with regional, seasonally updated plants. This lush outdoor oasis with a retractable roof is designed to stimulate the senses (while calming the nervous system); enjoy it 365 days out of the year.

An end-to-end premium journey

The Delta One Lounge cements Delta’s commitment to delivering an end-to-end premium experience, from curb to claim.

The journey starts at check-in: Located on the right-hand side of the main arrivals level on Terminal 4, Delta One customers will be greeted by a team of Elite Service agents providing white-glove service, with warm towels and light refreshments on offer. This fall, the check-in area will feature a private TSA screening lane for added exclusivity.

While the JFK Delta One Lounge is the first of its kind, others will be joining soon: Delta One Lounges at LAX and Boston Logan International will open later this year, expanding the end-to-end premium experience to more customers in more hubs.

From JFK to the rest of the world

Though the Delta One Lounge is a destination unto itself, JFK customers are well-positioned to journey across the globe with Delta.

Delta offers the most flights and seats of any carrier at JFK, with more than 200 total peak-day departures to more than 90 domestic and international destinations. Customers can fly nonstop from JFK to all of New York’s 50 most popular domestic markets.

This summer, Delta is flying its largest trans-Atlantic schedule ever from JFK, with more than 240 weekly departures to 26 destinations—including new destinations like Naples and destinations not flown since before the pandemic, like Shannon, Ireland.

And Delta will add even more service this winter: the combined partnership of Delta and LATAM will offer more service than any other carrier or joint venture between New York and South America. Also, with daily service to Lagos, Nigeria (LOS) relaunching Dec. 1, Delta will reinforce its No. 1 position as the largest U.S. carrier to Africa.

Wherever their destination, JFK customers can get there in style with Delta.

Read more on access guidelines for the Delta One Lounge . 

• Delta One , Customer Experience , John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) , Delta Sky Clubs

Flying On The Busiest July Fourth Travel Day? Here’s How To Sail Through Unscathed.

The TSA expects Friday to break the record for air passenger screening in a single day. Here’s how to keep your cool and get through the airport quickly.

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Air passengers line up for TSA security screenings at Denver International Airport last week. (Photo by Robert Alexander)

T he Transportation Security Administration (TSA) expects Friday to break the record for the number of passengers screened at airports in a single day. The agency expects to screen more than 3 million people on June 28, which it says will be the peak travel day for this summer’s Fourth of July travel period.

In terms of air traveler volume, this summer is already shaping up to be a doozy. Since mid-May, the TSA has seen multiple days break into the top 10 busiest days in the agency’s 22-year history.

On a typical day, TSA officers screen roughly 2.5 million people nationwide. But over the past month, airport security has seen that number exceeded by several hundred thousand travelers per day. On the most recent two Fridays, for example, the agency screened nearly 2.8 million passengers on each of those days.

Among major U.S. airports, Philadelphia ranks as the 21st busiest in the country. There, the TSA screens about 33,400 people per day, but since Memorial Day Weekend, closer to 40,000 people are coming through the security checkpoints. “We expect to screen 8.3% more individuals at our checkpoints this summer compared to last summer,” said Gerardo Spero, TSA’s Federal Security Director at Philadelphia International Airport. “Travel volume expected out of Philadelphia is expected to be high. We ready to handle this summer’s increased travel volumes as we approach the July 4th holiday.”

Do get to the airport two hours ahead of departure.

Airports are going to be crowded, obviously, which means longer lines at check-in and airport security. “The best advice that I can offer is to get to the airport well before your ticketed departure time,” Spero said.

Do prepare for airport security.

Nobody wants to be the person holding up the airport security line. “Travelers can save time by removing items from their pockets and placing them in a carry-on bag, instead of putting items directly into bins at the conveyor belt,” Spero said.

Don’t pack prohibited items in carry-on bags.

Packing prohibited items slow the line because TSA officers will need to open and inspect your bag to determine what triggered the alarm. Before you get to the airport security checkpoint, check TSA’s “What Can I Bring?” tool to know what is prohibited. Move prohibited items to checked baggage or risk getting them confiscated.

For example, are you heading to the beach? Consider how you pack the sunscreen. Large bottles and tubes (over 3.4 ounces) of liquids, aerosols, gels, creams and pastes must be packed in a checked bag. Carry-on bags are limited to one quart-size bag containing small containers 3.4 ounces or less.

Last year, TSA officers at At Philadelphia airport, officers stopped 45 guns from being carried onto planes by passengers, breaking the previous year’s record of 44 guns caught. Firearms are never prohibited to pass through security checkpoints, even if a passenger has a concealed carry permit or is in a constitutional carry jurisdiction. Passengers are only allowed to travel with an unloaded firearm if it is packed in a locked, hard-sided case in their checked baggage and declared to the airline at check-in.

When TSA officers find a firearm in a carry-on bag, they will contact local law enforcement to unload and take possession the gun. TSA may impose a civil penalty up to $15,000 when weapons are intercepted, and passengers will lose TSA PreCheck eligibility. Local enforcement may also arrest or cite the passenger, depending on local law.

Do prepare for delays.

As of Friday at 11 am, more than 1,600 flights are delayed. That number will rise throughout the day, according to FlightAware , a free app that provides real-time, historical, and predictive flight tracking data. (More than 8,300 flights were delayed in each of the past three days.)

Flight delays escalate throughout the day because of how airlines reuse planes and crews for multiple trips during the day, creating a domino effect. A late-morning flight delay in Charlotte, for example, can prevent a plane from getting to Chicago for an early-afternoon departure, which can in turn bump back the same plane’s late-afternoon flight out of Houston.

FlightAware can tell you if your plane is on schedule or give you an early heads-up that a problem is afoot. Enter your flight information , and then click the “Where is my plane now?” link just under the flight number. If your plane is behind schedule, you can take action accordingly. FlightAware also lets you sign up for alerts to be sent via email or text if there are changes associated with your flight. You can search by flight number or city pairing.

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How Delta made itself America’s luxury airline — and what United wants to do about it

Delta Air Lines  is the country’s most profitable airline. CEO Ed Bastian’s challenge is to make sure his carrier stays on top.

The airline’s unit revenue, the amount it brings in for every seat it flies one mile,  outpaced  its competitors’ last year. Delta’s share price has soared almost 23% in 2024, more than any rival in the rocky airline   sector, in a rally that’s outdone the  S&P 500 ′s. It expects free cash flow to rise as much as 50% this year to between $3 billion and 4 billion, and is eyeing a return to an investment-grade credit rating. And a stat any traveler would appreciate: Delta came in first in punctuality last year, with more than 83% arriving on-time, according to the Transportation Department.

Rival  United Airlines  — second to Delta in net profit margins — is circling. It says it could  grow   profits  even more this year.

“Knowing that there’s someone that thinks that they can take that mantle from us, that keeps us on our toes and keeps us continuing to drive hard,” Bastian told CNBC.

Delta has fashioned itself America’s premium airline. It has won over hordes of splurging travelers, many of them carrying  American Express  cards, Delta’s cash cow of a partner that generated almost $7 billion for the airline last year. Sales growth of Delta’s roomier and more expensive seats continues to outpace revenue from standard coach.

As they vie for luxury flyers, both Delta and United have  added more high-end seating  to their planes to cater to travelers who deem worthwhile a $300 surcharge for a few inches of extra legroom on a cross-country round trip, or 10 times as much for a seat in business class.

Bastian, a former auditor who said he took his first flight at age 25 for a business trip (New York to Chicago), is in charge of ensuring Delta lives up to its brand luster.

More from CNBC

• Fed Governor Bowman says she’s still open to raising rates if inflation doesn’t improve
• EU charges Microsoft with ‘abusive’ bundling of Teams and Office, breaching antitrust rules
• Airbus shares fall 12% as company cuts 2024 guidance on targets, deliveries

On Wednesday,  Delta will take its next shot  in the battle for high-spending flyers when it opens its newest,  highest tier of airport lounge  at John F. Kennedy International Airport for passengers in its Delta One cabin, its top product that features lie-flat beds for longer flights.

At more than 39,000 square feet it will be Delta’s largest lounge, accented with pillows that have iconic zig-zag motif of Italian fashion house Missoni, its new amenity kit partner. It features complementary spa treatments, like ice globes and serum for jet-lagged eyes, along with showers, a full restaurant, and a deck overlooking the airfield, in a bet that travelers’ desire to treat themselves is here to stay.

Delta is taking a page from the playbooks of United and  American , which  already dedicate their swankiest lounges  to customers flying in long-haul business class. Delta plans to open Delta One lounges in Boston and Los Angeles later this year, and is studying airports where it could open others.

“The thing with this industry is no good idea goes uncopied,” said Raymond James airline analyst Savanthi Syth.

Meanwhile, United is placing huge orders for new  Boeing  and Airbus planes and remodeling hundreds of narrow-body cabins that feature seatback screens and bluetooth technology, a strategy that aims to cater to travelers in international business class or on the cheapest basic economy tickets.

“We haven’t exactly achieved the No. 1 profitability status in the industry, but I know we’re on our way,” United’s Chief Commercial Officer Andrew Nocella said in an interview last month. “If we continue to invest in our customers through great service and great products and great network, we know that will feed upon itself and it’ll help us achieve the financial results that we’re looking for.”

The airlines and American are approaching their 100th birthdays, and are trying to stay ahead — if not drive — shifting travel demand and still turn a profit.

United is adding to the more than 300 airports it serves. Figuring out the next hot destination is “part art” and “part science,” said Patrick Quayle, its head of network planning. The airline’s sprawling global network makes United the biggest U.S. airline by capacity and it recently launched service to places like Dubrovnik, Croatia and Amman, Jordan.

Quayle pointed to United’s addition of Cape Town, South Africa, which it first announced before the pandemic, as a success.

“Another airline has subsequently copied us. ... I might want to add based in Atlanta,” he said, alluding to Delta’s home city.

The latest changes come at a difficult time for a lot U.S. airlines. Labor and other costs swelled after the pandemic, eating into margins despite  record numbers of travelers . Added capacity in the U.S. market has forced carriers to  discount fares  in off-peak travel periods.

It’s tricky, and expensive, to change course. Even  Southwest Airlines  is facing  investor pressure  to add things like premium seating or  seat assignments  as its simple business model shows signs of age.

Meanwhile, U.S. consumers are  growing more selective : Some corporate leaders have lamented a spending pullback while others, like Delta’s CEO, are saying the opposite. Americans are still digging into the so-called experiences economy, and paying for more comfort along the way, according to Bastian.

“They may not be buying that new EV or that that new house, but they’re saying we’re going to go out and experience the world and invest in that experience,” he said. “And that’s why you see it happening in high-end concerts, high-end hospitality.”

‘Brick by brick’

When the U.S. was careening toward recession almost two decades ago, Delta’s leaders made a correct bet that travelers would eventually pay more to fly on its jets.

Delta was emerging from Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2007, which other U.S. carriers found themselves in the years after the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.

Former CEO Richard Anderson said the airline had to start with basics: Stop losing bags. Make sure flights didn’t get canceled and arrived on time. Clean up the cabins.

“It was about building the operation brick by brick,” said Anderson, who handed the reins to Delta’s former president, Bastian, in 2016. “It didn’t matter what you did with AmEx. If the flight canceled, you ruined your brand.”

Delta took better care to avoid maintenance problems. It also started ferrying planes to airports to avoid cancellations if a replacement aircraft was needed.

And the carrier tried to clean up its image, hiring a marketing firm that advised former President Barack Obama’s 2008 presidential campaign.

Anderson said the airline needed to be consistent and not fly its mix of paint jobs and cabin interiors. It faced fresh competition from low-cost airlines like a then-spritely upstart out of Queens, N.Y. called  JetBlue Airways . Delta and United had both launched their own low-cost subsidiaries, but they discontinued them.

Delta executives knew they needed a brand to match if they were going to command a premium over competitors.

“One of the things about being a premium product is consistency, consistency in policy, consistency in appearance,” said Anderson. “If you got on a flight in Tokyo we wanted you to feel like you were home.”

After the string of changes, Delta’s performance improved. Corporate business travel contracts helped boost profits and still do, as business travel returns post-pandemic.

Delta had a key advantage over competitors. After it came out of bankruptcy, it merged with Northwest Airlines in 2008, allowing it to stabilize and expand around the world while other carriers floundered. The rest of the industry spent much of the next decade recovering from bankruptcies and a subsequent musical chairs of mergers that  left four big carriers in control of about three-quarters of the U.S. domestic market . Delta’s rivals were years behind the carrier on integrating their merged staff, operations, networks and fleets.

Bastian said the carrier’s focus on reliability has made life easier for not just its customers, but also its employees.

“They’re not having to explain for a cancellation or mishandled luggage,” he said. “They have time to serve rather than to apologize.”

Delta is also unique as the least unionized of the major U.S. airlines, at about 20%. In April, as campaigns were underway to organize its flight attendants and other workers, it again  raised worker pay . Flight attendants for Delta’s regional carrier Endeavor, which are unionized, have recently demanded compensation on par with the carrier’s mainline flight attendants.

Time to remodel

After Delta got the basics down, Bastian, 67, who joined Delta in 1998, said it was time for the airline to focus on more ambitious projects.

“You had the liberty to start investing in premium,” he said. “You started to figure out how to to make first class more available to customers.”

It has expanded in big-spending New York and Los Angeles, the country’s two largest air travel markets by revenue, according to aviation data firm OAG.

Delta also built up its host of global alliances, joint ventures and minority ownership stakes, giving it more reach. That includes its 49% stake in Virgin Atlantic, which already had a strong foothold in premium air travel and popular lounges.

“I think some of that heritage has made its way into the core of Delta,” said Virgin Atlantic’s CEO Shai Weiss. “I’m not suggesting we are the messiah for Delta, but there is no surprise that Delta and Virgin Atlantic see eye-to-eye on many things.”

The vast majority of the more than 940 million people that flew on U.S. airlines last year fly in coach, and Delta has tried to make its flights more desirable travelers on all sections of the plane.

It remodeled old and dated terminals, and built out its network of luxury airport lounges, which are tied to its lucrative credit card deal with American Express. It added seat-back televisions and better in-flight entertainment options, and in February 2023, it  announced  its long-awaited  free Wi-Fi  to customers enrolled in its SkyMiles frequent flyer program.

Delta has invested more than $12 billion to rebuild and update its U.S. hubs with soaring ceilings, new technology and in some lounges, a signature scent. (“It’s proprietary,” said Claude Roussel, who oversees Delta’s lounges, when asked what was in it.)

One of its latest efforts is its terminal and new Sky Club at New York’s LaGuardia Airport, alongside other airlines’ new terminals. A decade ago, then-Vice President Joe Biden famously said someone who was blindfolded and taken to that airport would think, “I must be in some third-world country.”

The airline faced big problems along the way like a dayslong system outage in 2016. And the worst of all: Covid-19. Like other airlines, Delta accepted billions in federal aid to weather the pandemic. The carrier successfully urged some  17,000 workers to take buyouts , hiring newer, lower-paid staff that lacked the experience of departed employees. Early in the process, Bastian said the newer workers gave the company a “juniority benefit.” The airline employed about 100,000 people in the U.S. as of the end of last year.

Delta and its competitors also pulled out of many small cities as the pandemic eased, isolating some smaller cities amid a shortage of regional jet pilots.

But international travel has proved resilient so far, as consumers show they are willing to shell out on experiences.

Luxury air travel? In the U.S.?

Luxury air travel and the United States didn’t go together for many years — and   might not still, if you ask well-heeled globetrotters.

U.S. airlines don’t offer on-board showers or  roomy suites  like those on the superjumbos flown by the likes of Etihad Airways or Singapore Airlines. But the U.S. air travel market, the world’s largest, has gotten a number of upgrades in recent years, and travelers have grown to expect the same convenience they get from their online shopping sites and ride-hailing and food-ordering apps.

“Delta’s not bougie by any stretch, but when your competitors don’t try very hard, it doesn’t take much,” said Henry Harteveldt, a former airline executive and founder of Atmosphere Research Group.

But as a rewards-credit card boom, strong consumer spending, social media envy and a wanderlust that predated the pandemic combined to boost demand, airlines executives were taking notice.

Delta’s sales from premium products are growing faster than revenue from its main coach cabin, a trend the airline forecasts will continue. Sales from Delta’s loyalty business, premium cabins and other streams comprise more than half of the carrier’s revenue.

Airlines have made big changes as they struggle to accommodate the big-spending travelers armed with elite status. Major carriers have all overhauled their frequent flyer programs to reward the biggest spenders instead of those that fly the most miles,   and made it harder to earn coveted elite status.

And at Delta and other airlines, many of the perks for luxury flyers come through lounges.

One of Delta’s Sky Clubs in Los Angeles International Airport offers a separate, dedicated security lane for customers flying Delta One, away from the masses at the airport. That feature will make it to the new JFK lounge later this year, a Delta spokesman said.

United and American Airlines have also worked to glam up and expand their airport lounges, access to which is a common perk with credit cards.

Delta  softened some restrictions  on Sky Club lounge access last year — which it made to end annoying and  unsightly long lines  to enter its exclusive airport real estate — after an uproar from customers.

'We’re constantly pushing each other'

Both Delta and United have issued sunny financial forecasts for this year, while many carriers are losing money or not pulling in similar profit margins.

“Watching [Delta] succeed, I became convinced that the product mattered and service mattered, and we have done that at United now,” United CEO Scott Kirby said at a JPMorgan industry conference in March.

And at an investor conference last month, he pointed to how the two are pulling away from the rest of the pack in profitability, particularly at big hubs.

United has made some big bets that paid off. It held onto its wide-body planes, when travel demand collapsed in the pandemic, and has benefitted from the surge in international travel.

With United on Delta’s tail, Bastian is trying to expand the airline’s reach. Bastian has attended the massive Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas and has announced new partnerships with  Lyft  and  Starbucks  for its loyalty program.

He says he can’t mystery shop on other carriers because he’s too recognizable, but said his team flies on competitors regularly to see what they can improve.

“We don’t own the market rights to innovation in our industry,” he said.

When asked what Delta can improve, Bastian threw kudos back to United for its detailed messages to travelers when there’s a disruption.

“They’ve done some nice things with their app,” he said. “I still think ours is better, but ... they’ve done a nice job in terms their communications with their customers and how they manage trip interruptions.”

Bastian added: “We’re constantly pushing each other.”

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I doubled my salary by switching to travel nursing. I traveled the country and grew my career, but it came at a cost.

• Louie Chan started travel nursing after working for two years in a lower-wage nursing position.
• Travel nursing doubled her salary and renewed her passion for the job, but she says it was lonely.
• Chan left travel nursing to become a full-time nurse coordinator and made over $200,000 last year.

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Louie Chan, a 30-year-old nurse in the Bay Area. The following has been edited for length and clarity.

When I went to college in 2012, I couldn't decide what to major in. My Filipino parents emphasized the importance of a stable job because it would bring freedom. This was important to them because we didn't have much money growing up.

I decided to pursue nursing , a career path common among Filipinos . It turned out to be a perfect fit for me. When I graduated from nursing school in 2017, I took my first job as a telemetry nurse in southern California, earning $37 an hour.

After two years of working at that same hospital, I grew my wages to $45 an hour, which was below the average hourly rate for nurses in California. We didn't have a nursing union at that hospital to ask for better wages and got very small yearly raises.

I started travel nursing in 2020 to earn more

When the COVID-19 pandemic started, I heard there was a bigger need than usual for travel nurses . I decided to take a leap of faith, leave my family behind, and move to Texas for my first gig as a travel nurse. The agency I signed up to work for placed me in Texas. I didn't have a say in where I went for that first assignment.

I was motivated to sign up because the pay was extraordinary. I worked six days a week and did 12-to-14-hour shifts. While this was more than my usual schedule, I was making almost triple my former amount — I went from earning $45 an hour to around $121 an hour.

I worked at that job for a couple of months and then returned to California to rest for a few weeks. After that, I spent two years working as a travel nurse at different hospitals. I doubled my salary, grew my career, and regained my passion for the job.

A typical travel nursing job lasts 13 weeks, and the rates fluctuate

Hospitals bring in travel nurses because they're short-staffed. Most travel nursing opportunities are for 13 weeks at a specific location. After that, you can extend your contract for another 13 weeks or longer, depending on the hospital's needs.

I found open positions through travel-nursing agencies. When I returned from working in Texas, I worked at Cedars-Sinai in Los Angeles and Stanford Hospital in Palo Alto. As COVID-19 got worse, my pay as a travel nurse got higher. I made anywhere from $6,000 to $9,000 a week.

Usually, I worked six days on and eight days off. I liked the travel nursing schedule because it improved my work-life balance . I used my free time to travel around the cities I lived in and start a side hustle as a content creator .

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Because travel nurses live away from home, we're given a tax-free stipend that covers housing and meals. I'd usually find an inexpensive hotel or rent a short-term apartment near the hospital.

The best part of the job is getting to live in new cities

As a travel nurse, you must be a fast learner because you enter a new hospital and start working almost immediately. It's a job for people who love being independent and can quickly pick up on the hospital's work culture and policies.

I loved the flexibility. I'd work at one hospital for 13 weeks and then take a month off to rest or travel before starting a new job elsewhere.

There are travel nursing jobs all over the world. I've always been interested in living in another country like Japan or Australia and would consider taking a travel nursing job abroad. If you're a nurse who wants a change of scenery, this is a dream opportunity, but there are some downsides.

It can be quite lonely

When working in a new place, you might not have the time to get to know people or make friends . When my shifts were done, I'd usually explore the city on my own, and every now and then, I'd make friends at work who I'd hang out with during my stay.

Some other nurses weren't nice to travel nurses because they knew we were making more money than them. I remember getting the worst patient assignments because I wasn't part of the core staff. There were also times when a group of nurses ordered food and invited everyone on the floor except the travel nurses. I didn't let their attitudes or comments bother me.

In other hospitals, the nurses were so grateful to have help because they were overworked and overwhelmed by the number of patients. In those jobs, I felt like I was making a difference.

Look into the tax implications of the job before deciding to become a travel nurse

People get into travel nursing and think they can give up their apartment, pack a suitcase, and live on the road. Travel nurses get tax-free stipends because the IRS assumes they're duplicating their expenses by paying for housing at home and where they live for the job.

Before committing to being a travel nurse, speak with a CPA or tax advisor to understand how to keep those tax-free stipends so you don't accidentally commit tax fraud. While I was a travel nurse, I was still making monthly payments on a house in California.

My days as a travel nurse are over

I'm now a full-time nurse coordinator in the Bay Area and enjoy working at my current hospital. I don't see myself pursuing travel nursing in the US again because I made over $200,000 last year and it's a healthy working environment. I also still make content on the side and may one day focus on that.

My experience as a travel nurse taught me that I have more nursing knowledge and critical care skills than I thought. It also taught me that I can live independently away from home.

Regardless of your career, you can't wait around and hope for a raise. Sometimes, you need to be the one to take bold actions and get paid what you deserve.

Watch: While Delta's business is 'extremely robust,' the airline's marketing chief stays focused on the data

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