A Delta Air Lines elite member reports that they were flying out of Detroit, 5 empty seats remained on the first class upgrade list (they were number one of the list and should have been upgraded), but the gate agent didn’t bother with upgrades.
I walked to the boarding door and called for the [gate agent] on the jetway, and said look, there’s 5 empties in first and 12 people on the list, are you just going to leave them hanging? Without hesitation they said “Yes,” but then said to me, “feel free to take any open seat in F.” What about the other 4 people? “Sorry,” and they walked away.
I hear from readers all the time that this happens with Delta, and I don’t hear about it the same way with United, American or Alaska Airlines.
Occasionally I will see U.S. airlines with first class seats empty with the doors close, with passengers still on the upgrade list. However, this is usually because:
- The cabin was full, but someone didn’t make the flight at the last minute. Usually this means that they misconnected.
- And the gate agent doesn’t come on board to bring someone up from coach, worried that the time it takes at the last minute could make the flight late by a minute or two (or they’ve simply chosen not to bother with it).
Either way, “D0” exact on-time departures is the excuse. But here, with Delta, it seems to be something different.
Readers tell me about first class cabins going out with empty seats with passengers still on the upgrade list – starting at empty seats up front that they’re entitled to.
Delta says only about 12% of their first class seats go to upgrades, while 15 years ago, 81% of first class seats went to upgrades, awards and employees.
American, Delta and United have all become adept at selling coach passengers upgrades to first class for tens of dollars, sometimes as little as $40. Delta will even sell long haul business class for as little as $299 more than coach.
For the most part, upgrades have been tough to get because (1) premium demand has grown while the supply of premium seats hasn’t kept up, and (2) airlines have shifted their merchandising to take less money for those seats from any willing buyer rather than honor frequent flyer upgrades.
However part of the reason why Delta’s upgrade percentage is so low, it seems, is because gate agents at Delta just don’t process upgrades as reliably as they do at other airlines. Last month I wrote about several instances.
1st class seats sitting empty despite my husband putting in a regional certificate?
byu/a-a-a-ronica indelta
Meanwhile, another flyer wrote:
As if upgrades aren’t terrible enough this year, the flight I’m currently on I was number 1 on upgrade list, 2 open seats available in first and they boarded everyone and did no upgrades…
It’s from Miami to Atlanta so it’s not that long… but what’s even the point of this status if it’s so junk. Decided I’m just fully canceling my reserve card at the end of the year.
And I recently pointed to one Delta gate agent who confesses that they won’t bother to check if passengers traveling together want to be split up when there’s just one first class seat available – and just skips over them instead.
Delta promises unlimited complimentary upgrades into available first class seats. At the corporate level they hate upgrades and maybe that flows down to the rank and file?
This seldom, if ever, happened. Then during the pandemic, it started happening a lot. It’s happening now at least every couple flights. And not just at random out-stations with staff who are contracted and not actual Delta employees. It’s now happening at major airports, including the DTW hub.
People in the US generally feel pretty entitled, always looking for freebies and getting around the rules. Do what I do, buy a first class ticket if you want to buy first class.
Or, Karl, do what I do – not be loyal anymore to any airline or hotel chain. My expectations are zero, so I’m never disappointed. However, there was a time I flew 40 weeks a year and did some really outrageous itineraries just to fly on my preferred airline — they got my money, I got some perks. Those days are over.
Not to make excuses in the article’s complaint, but coming back from London on the 767-400, 16 Delta One seats were open. I questioned the gate agent and the answer was “payload optimized”. Further checking when I got back home was that the 767-400 and the A321neo have W&B issues. The 767-400 cargo is loaded into the big “cans” that one sees being mechanically lifted into the forward cargo compartment. These “cans” will not fit in the aft baggage compartment. Thus, if cargo in the forward compartment is too much, then upgrades cannot be processed. IF the Delta One seat is “sold”, then the corresponding cargo weight will be moved from the “can” aft if possible. Otherwise, it it removed from travel. The same basic thing happens with the A321neo.
I strongly suspect that this is happening in hubs as a result of first class passengers misconnecting esp. from international flights where the gate agent has no idea where people are in the customs and immigration clearance process. Also, while they can predict with some certainty how long it would take a healthy person to get from one gate to another with a standard connection, there is no information on how healthy a person is or how much effort they put into getting to the gate, even for a domestic connection.
And, ultimately, I suspect it comes down to a change in practice, if not policy, that if you have boarded the aircraft, the gate agent is not coming onto the plane with a standby passenger (if there is one), move you up, and then put the standby passenger in your previous seat.
I would like to hear someone’s experience who is the top one or two on the standby list ask a gate agent how late they can wait to board; I would bet the gate agent might acknowledge you are there but tell you that you will have to check bags if they are at that stage in the flight.
As for outstations, it probably still comes down to whether you are onboard or in the gate area.
I doubt seriously that DL extends much if any grace to first class passengers that have not met the check in requirement and are not onboard but most DL flights start boarding before the check in cut off which means first class passengers have already been invited to board before the check in cutoff.
Karl, can you please explain to us how it is entitled to expect to receive a benefit you’ve been promised by a company, in exchange for the business you give to them? Genuinely asking.
win
that is common with many aircraft esp. widebodies.
The forward bins are preferred for cargo and on some planes, the rear door is not as large.
And while the MAX gets all of the bad press for the MCAS system that went haywire, the heavier engines on the NEO also affect performance and handling.
Pretty sure it’s just the result of pure laziness of entitled employees, and not a top down directive.
More & more people have been saying they are discontinuing their loyalty to Delta because of topics like this. From award redemptions being too high to the credit card not being worth it anymore because of junk status.
It’s 2025 and it sounds like the year Delta might take a huge hit all around.
You are privileged Delta lets you buy tickets on their state of the art aircraft
The gate wardens have decided elites are nor worthy so that’s it done!
Blame the executives not the front line employees. I will say that in close to a million miles on United this has not happened to me.
“Delta promises unlimited complimentary upgrades into available first class seats”
The key word is “available”. If they sell that seat for a $10 upcharge from coach, then it’s not available. Empty is more maddening, but no foul to call when the seat was sold – even for a song
Even if the seats fly empty, upgrades are a courtesy provided to certain flyers. They should not be expected. No airline is obligated to “honor the upgrades” that are a courtesy to begin with. And the column even uses the actual word “entitled” to describe the right of Diamonds (or whatever) to any empty first class seats. No one is entitled to anything here
I used to get upgraded on about half of my flights/segments, but not any more. There also used to be uncrowded lounges that only served hummus in tubes with carrots and celery. And a lot of empty seats. And different business models. And flight attendants were called stewardesses and were required to be female and wear skirts and heels
Bottom line, the industry is changing as it always has, and the latest throes of upheaval mean that there generally won’t be free upgrades. And no amount of righteous anger from people used to flying in first for free is going to change that. It’s not a new policy. It’s a new business.
And people can threaten to stop being loyal, but that’s fine with the airlines. Clearly they are now making money differently than in the past, with loyalty not as important when travel had become so democratized that everyone is scrambling to get on flights. They don’t need loyal members like they used to when planes weren’t full, and the value to the customer of loyalty is being downward-adjusted in response to that
You can threaten to go to American and United and whatever, but on the way over you’ll pass people from those loyalty programs streaming over to Delta in a huff because American and United don’t properly appreciate them
In travel, there’s really two types of passengers/guests. The “frequents” who follow the game and know the system and the one-off travelers who could care less. The one-offs are usually not brand-loyal. However, the “frequents” who are loyal and earn status should be the ones that the airline ensures remain loyal. Delta was very good at this in the past. However, with the switch to MQD’s, the lounge-cap, and now potentially this issue…I can foresee many loyalists switching allegiance or just becoming free agents. This seems like an easy fix. Make this an absolute part of the GA’s job without exception. So, in effect the problem is coming from the top. Managment’s job is to fix issues as they become aware of them. If you’re #1 on the list….and there’s an open seat in FC…you should get that seat. Period.
To running jock….bahahahaha. “It’s 2025 and it sounds like the year Delta might take a huge hit all around”. You must not read other Delta Air Lines headlines, like the most recent one where they made bookuu bucks last quarter and expect even more bookuu in 2025
We were flying MSP-ICN and high on the standby list. Gate agent closed the door, not boarding 20+ people with plenty of seats. Fortunately a FA on board noticed and talked to pilot. Pilot called ATL, then they called MSP and door reopened and we were all boarded. I presume (but don’t know) lazy gate agents.
I see this happening more and more often with Delta. It’s my understanding their gate agents are under such pressure to not just close the door on time, but early, in an effort to boost DOT metrics. This is absolutely shameful. Customers who’ve exchanged their loyalty to the company are absolutely entitled to those seats, even if processing upgrades causes a delay. Same for employees traveling non-revenue, as this benefit is part of their employment. Gate agents are no longer recognizing customer loyalty. Instead, everyone is treated like cattle.
Thanks for posting this Gary!
Tim Dunn said, “I strongly suspect that this is happening in hubs as a result of first class passengers misconnecting esp. from international flights where the gate agent has no idea where people are in the customs and immigration clearance process. Also, while they can predict with some certainty how long it would take a healthy person to get from one gate to another with a standard connection, there is no information on how healthy a person is or how much effort they put into getting to the gate, even for a domestic connection.”
The Delta Air Lines app utilizes your location data to inform the gate agent about your real-time ability to catch your flight. The Delta app can determine whether you are in the airport, a parking lot, or a lounge. When you grant the Delta app permission to access your precise location, it can track your whereabouts. By using GPS coordinates from your phone when you’re within 100 feet of the departure gate, there is a strong likelihood that you will board your flight, and you should receive your first-class upgrade instead of your flight departing with empty first-class seats.
Baseless. Was it only one GA ? Can they be disciplined if the flight doesn’t depart on time ? Don’t be so quick to throw the GA under the bus.
I feel like at least some of this comes down to IT. I’m pretty sure on United for example you can’t close out the flgiht without processing the upgrade list. And when the list processes it instantly upgrades in the app. I have had 1 cases in the past 2-3 years where my upgrade processed and showed in the app but the GA didn’t come on the plane to get me… Just moved myself up to the assigned seat.
Although in general, if it looks like I have a shot at the upgrade, I just font get on the plane until end of boarding anyway. (I normally only fly with a personal item.)
I have heard it’s company policy to leave employees at the gate if processing standbys would delay the flight (which might cause them to be fired because they would miss work due to travel). This makes me think Delta has implemented the same rule for customers. Regardless, I no longer see any value in SkyMiles. There is no award chart, and the miles they ask for basic domestic tickets is what would have gotten you in business class years ago. I feel deeply sorry for customers who are stuck with little to no reward for their loyalty. They might as well use Southwest, who has free bags anyway and free drink coupons for A+ members.
@Tim — This is just part of Delta’s dishonesty culture. The executives lie. Why not expect the same of lower level employees?
I rarely see this happen on Delta and I am on over 100 flights a year. There are actually many times I have been sitting in my seat waiting for boarding doors to close and an attendant will come and move me to first as I was next on the list and there was an open seat.
@JMK: United’s frequent flyer program is objectively better than Delta’s, unless 1) You’re a DL hub captive or 2) You get your status through credit card spend (which United gives the lowest elite qualification value to of the big three, by a large margin.)
Just like recently when Delta through SkyWest allowed a plane to fly around all day, including on 2-hour flights, with no working lavatory/bathroom. One isolated incident. A rarity said some people. But all these things added together are pretty serious and show that Delta doesn’t care.
Entitled union employees acting with impunity?
Consider me shocked!
Clearly upper management doesn’t care – they probably have a metric somewhere for flights that go out with empty FC seats while there are uncleared upgrades.
Uh, RealityChex, Delta is the least unionized of the big three airlines
This happened both ways in Comfort on a recent flight MSP-SJD. App showed 4 available, but at least 8-10 with misconnects or no-shows. Nobody on the upgrade list got processed.
Even though some gate agents are lazy, this is a condition created by Delta’s management. DL gate agents are under extreme pressure to meet D0. They are usually alone and handling multiple gates or gates that have similar times. Also Delta’s tech is extremely OLD AND SLOW. They aren’t given the time to do things properly like other airlines are.
Instead of wringing your hands on a rando blog that Lor Timmy’s paymasters (suspected at least) never read, walk away from Delta and tell them why you did.
“Waaa….I live in a hub” is not an excuse if you’re so outraged.
And if you’re not, sthu.
Last September on our way back from West Palm Beach, there 3 seats empty in First and we had previously been moved to Comfort+ but we’re #2& #3 for First. The gate agent (who already told my wife to pack her small crrossbody bag or else) came on plane went towards rear of plane (I’m thinking she’s moving #1 up) but instead she returns to front and tells flight attendant ” don’t about the empty seats” and she proceeded to shut door. I asked him when he passed by what about those seats and he said he was told by the agent to leave them empty.
I was boiling as I travel for business alone but this was with my wife and deserved to be upgraded together and not one behind the other in middle Comfort+ seats.
If Deltas product deteriorates, i will switch to United. This includes getting rid of my delta AMEX card. Cause pain for coorporate so they can go back to how they did business.
“Entitled”…. I hate that word. Nobody is “entitled” to a free upgrade. It’s a perk and be happy when it happens. Pretty sure the people that are crying about not getting upgraded one time and now the whole world is falling apart. Be grateful when you get it and if you want it, buy the damn first class ticket.
Pretty sure Mantis is just a dick.
What to do about Delta Status in 2025. I’ve been a long time Delta Reserve Amex holder with platinum status or better the last 8 years. 2024 was by far the worst from a benefits stand point and quality of service.
It seems like Delta is banking on the other airlines in the US to remain terrible so that people will continue to fly them because they are least worst.
I heard that If you board, you forfeit the upgrade. If the agent has time, they will upgrade onboard based on the list. But if it will cause a delay and they have to be written up for it, you think they will do it?
I haven’t flew delta in a few years due to ONE YEAR companion fare with SW and we fly Alaska quite a bit but I was so disappointed with Delta to/from Cancun. We flew from JFK to Cancun , that was ok but returning from Cancun to Seattle was so bad that I want to “comment” on their survey, it never arrived in my mailbox.
First, flight attendants in the commoner section were rude and full of themselves , no eye contacts and just talk among themselves. 6 hours flights – restrooms were never attended to. Ok, I don’t expect cleaning but a tidy up really helps.
Flying other airlines, such as Alaska and Southwest, I have seen the restrooms get tidy up or “refreshed” during mid flight. These are budget airlines too.
Very disappointed and will not fly Delta to US destinations even though I have many points to burn from having a AE gold card years ago. Don’t get me started on United. I have stopped flying them 20 years ago and will only fly when I have no other options!
I dont think they are required to do the upgrades once you’ve boarded especially if they are running out of time and need to close the door.
I can’t speak for Delta as I haven’t flown with them in over a decade(AA and Alaskan miles go much further), but I can happily report that on an American BOS-CLT flight last week, myself and my wife were 1 & 2 on the upgrade list but the app showed no 1st class seats open. Approximately 2 minutes before boarding, I was paged to the counter. The agent explained that there was only 1 first class seat available. She seemed sympathetic that she couldn’t move us both. I had what I consider the best main cabin extra seat so, it goes to my wife(Lot’s of points!). The agents(both exceptionally nice) manually made the change, printed updated boarding passes and they promised to keep the seat next to me, originally for my wife, empty since they couldn’t move us both. They did all this right as boarding was about to start. I know this may not be what normally occurs but it is impressive when it does.
I just flew Delta out of Detroit and I am a Diamond club member who was first on the upgrade list. The gate agent called my wife up to the counter but they only had one extra first class seat which I gave to my wife so it wasn’t true for us that they don’t bother to upgrade one person if they are flying with someone else.
I call total BS on all of this. I am a non rev and very rarely get domestic first class because any available seats are given to the upgrade list, as they should. I could show you a thousand examples of why this is all BS.
I see Brian didn’t read the article.
What didn’t I read? Tell me what I missed, big guy.
I travel a lot and I never see empty first class seats domestically. And as for employees taking those first class seats, they only are able to sit in those seats after the revenue standy list is cleared. Most FC seats are sold and due to misconnects or noshows maybe there might be 1-2 seats free for elite upgrades. At the end of the day, if you want a first class seat best is to buy it.
I flew more than 40 DL flights last year and rarely saw an empty seat in First, have noticed that there are many late adds to the top of the upgrade list though land at #1 and #2. I can empathize in that a FC bump is rare unless you are on an empty flight if you are Platinum and extremely rare for Gold and Silver. The value in Delta Medallion status is not on Delta, they don’t value frequent flyers, only Amex members, but on international flights using Skyteam. Moved all but 1 of my international trips from Delta to Skyteam and couldn’t be happier
Remember all that fuss about people wanting to be compensated for delayed flights? What exactly did you think the result would be?
Agents are personally penalized for flight delays under their control. In addition, a brief delay at the gate sometimes results and that flight losing its slot. That can become a big deal. You asked for it.
Stop crying it was not until after Sept 11th you got FC upgrades internationally by just using companies credit card does not entitle you to an upgrade you have it a lot better now I’m retired NW/DL there is/was pressure for an on time departure over convenient seating
Point is, if they are advertising and promoting it but not doing it then that is false and misleading advertising. That could cost them $$$
I have not seen an empty First Class seat on Delta in years, otherwise I would have been in it. Not sure where this is happening.
I fly almost weekly on Delta. I’ve been upgraded 2 hours out, and have gotten the battlefield upgrade as I am sitting in my seat. I’ve also seen FC seats go out empty with people on the upgrade list. GA’s could be getting pushed to get flights out on time ..but if you process upgrade list at 45 minutes from departure, you don’t have an issue. Most of the time, GAs are just lazy.
Any for those that say we’re entitled…no, it’s a perk that’s PROMISED by Delta for the amount of money we spend with them.
Take into account that calling into the “Diamond Line”, numerous times you have to HUCA because the CS rep knows less than us
Douglas and Tyrone
This site blows EVERYTHING out of proportion
I flew Delta with my wife week of Christmas. I’ve been flying Delta for years and inquired if any upgrades were available. I was told by the gate agent there were not. I’ve been told that before and made a bit of a stink about it. Not to loud but I let it be known that if those doors closed I would be calling a.corporate friend of mine the next day. One of the flight attendants heard me and knew me from other previous flights. Well, the doors closed and there were 4 seats available. She came up to my wife and I said., “The captain would like to invite you up to first class. I will take your carry on up as well.” Sometimes you have to say something with confidence and not take no for a answer
I thought we were well past the point of pretending that Delta actually cares in the least about engaged loyalty members.
Very good post Gary. Thank you for this. Transparency is increasingly key in these programs. And some of the comments your posts like this generate are helpful too. Some.
It’s time to start firing lazy employees. My company has a 5% rif every year to ensure alignment and reduce complacency. That should be standard everywhere. Get off your lazy a$$ and work. Or, don’t work and don’t get paid.
I have never ever seen an empty biz class seat on Delta .
I wish this occurred. I’ve never seen an empty F seat on DL (or AA or UAl since I started paying for F.
Delta has become The Marriott of the Sky…Ed Bastian shame on you for disrespecting the folks that are loyal to your brand.
I bet most of these complaints are BS. I may end up waiting to last to upgrade on my upgrade certificate but the first class are always filled so I agree with Brian’s early post. I do find that frequently my name gets moved down once I am in the airport even though platinum members are eligible to upgrade if there is available 5 days before take.
On a recent trip I was in FC and had a change in Seattle. Only had a short layover and was in FC to Orlando. We arrived a bit late and as I entered the jetway and agent met me and my wife. Took us down the stairs to a waiting Porsche, drove us to the next gate. Took us up the stairs and we did not even have to go into the gate agent. He did it for us.
For me Delta is far better even though Status is harder to gain. (Likely won’t have status next year due to the changes to mqd from mqm) Refuse to fly United or American The simply seem plain dirty when I board. True story
I’ve been loyal to Delta for a long time ( 12 years) I’m only a leisure traveler however I’ve flown over 500k mi on delta tin in those 12 years . After several instances of watered down customer service I’ve let go of my paid lounge access last year. And I’ve already had 4 flights this year on tin that isn’t Delta . I’m disappointed in what has happened.
I used to always fly delta now delta comfort and you cannot even get a soda. Getting an upgrade is a joke. Going to be changing airlines after this trip.
For all the negatively that American gets, their GAs almost always clear upgrades, including onboard just before pushback.
It’s clearly a part of the training that AA has emphasized.
I recently was #1 for an upgrade out of Detroit. Suddenly my name was missing from the upgrade list . When I asked what happened I was told there was nothing that could be done. I am not to upset but then again I wonder what Diamond status really means.
Firstly, it is a privilege, not an entitlement.
2. You did not pay for it, so you are not entitled.
3. To upgrade or not, it is the boarding agent and attendants’ whim. Again, no one is entitled
3. Empty seats coukd be reserved for pilots to rest, don’t make assumption
4. Even if you paid for the seats, you may still be bummed down if there are none available for long haul flight pilots to rest
5. No one is entitled, except to their own views
My wife and I have flown Delta exclusively and have the upgraded credit cards to ensure upgrades. Multiple times we’ve flown delta with empty 1st class seats and we haven’t been upgraded. They’ve started to really go down hill.
Diarrhea Delta sucks.
Diamond status is worthless. Always has been. I’m forced to take this crap airline because they have a monopoly on routes out of Atlanta—a third-world “town” I am sorry to call home. I’ve been a Diamond miler for years, never used the millions of accrued crap miles, and I don’t intend to. I hate airplanes and travel but I have to for business.
There is an easy way to get First Class: Buy it like everybody else!
Stop complaining about your entitlements. You’re entitled to nothing. You sound like a frikin’ Social Security recipient at McDonalds demanding your free senior citizen coffee.
Now, sit back in your narrow Economy seat with no legroom and eat your free bag of chips!
And curse Ed Bastian and Diarrhea Delta.
None of this matters now that pilots for mainline US carriers get non rev F class seats as part of their contracts. Free agency rules.
We flew Delta first class in December. It was dirty. The foldaway armrest tray tables were DISGUSTING. Look down in there . Their boarding process is horrible. We will never fly Delta again.
I just pay for the seat i want. Its easier. Im not wealthy. Im 6ft4/235. Absolutely no way i can fly if not 1st class. I need the room.
Airlines that are willing to sell upgrade from economy to Business for as little as 40 or 200 while offer zero operational upgrade to frequent flyers in the long run will will lose out as frequent flyers are not that ignorant anymore. We will only be loyal to airlines who reciprocate and will only buy their tickets if there is no alternative!
This is a big reason I am Gold Medalliin in 2025 after 20 years of earning Diamond Medallion on Delta (through tons of flying and using their credit cards). I quit my Amex Delta Reserve card and Delta Platinum Amex too. Not worth it. If/when it’s convenient to fly Delta I’ll buy first class or use some of my many miles. Not worth all the effort to fly Delta all the time anymore. I’m maximizing flights on United to earn GS status now, it’s actually worth something and upgrades are plentiful.
Did you pay for First Class? What is this entitlement? And to think you actually took the time to count the empty first class seats wow!
If passenger is on board then they have a seat in whichever class was paid for. Why should Delta or any airline anyone upgrade them just because there were empty seat in the higher class?
We should make it more simple.
Reserve 1st class seats for those who purchase it in full and give remaining 1st class seats to nonrev employees and active military that have a deployment on their ERB or ORB.
And raise the price on 1st class Buis class Primum economy and coach seats by75 percent too.
That will eliminate the riffraf we see going viral on YouTube.
Then no one catches hurt feelings because they don’t understand their loyalty club agreements.
I am nearly always pleased when an upgrade comes my way but realize the only real need to offer is to fill my cheaper seat with another passnger. If I had paid for the premium seat, which I could have, why would I want crowded by those who did not unless the flight is near full?
Non unión staff!
Want first? Buy First.
Delta really sucks – they do NOT care about their passengers, they fly some of the oldest broken planes in the world and the pilots they have flying, especially the new pilots are NOT prepared. Just ask the senior pilots that are scared to death about these young pilots with no experience. And, after my last flight with delta this past summer, and as an experienced pilot – I will NEVER fly delta again!
I usually fly business and pay for it. I don’t care to have the poor who can’t afford it up there with me. Stop waiting for some gate agent to kiss your butt. Pay for the seat
If Delta had to fire “ Lazy Employees “, in Atlanta, they would lose 95% of their workforce.
Empty, as in available to switch into it at the gate and unsold, first class on the way too MSP from Grand rapids last week and they let 12 on the list wish for it. This is, I’m sure, a ploy to get elites to also purchase upgrades. Especially those that AREN’T diamonds or 360s.
@C Wilson
Non-revs should never get a FC upgrade over a paying customer. Without us paying the airfare, they don’t have a job.
For those who keep saying this is a privilege and not an entitlement, I have to respectfully disagree. Listed in the benefits for your medallion level are your benefits. These benefits are a contract between you and the airline.
I do understand that some of the seats might be reserved for crew but completely empty seats should be filled with those on the upgrade list.
Eventually the airlines are getting rid up upgrades and you FF kill me u pay very little for your tickets or your company pays for it and u want your free upgrade my advice you want first class do what I do and buy it and instead sounding like a whiny little 8 yr old boo hoo I didn’t get my upgrade
Occasionally I will see U.S. airlines with first class seats empty with the doors close, with passengers still on the upgrade list.
=
Occasionally, I will see U.S. airlines with first class seats empty with the doors closeD (or when the doors close), with passengers still on the upgrade list.
Some FA’S are lazy incompetent and ignorant, as are some of these responses.
While I don’t necessarily care for the entitled person “calling their friend at corporate ,” certain locations are worse and certain ethnic groups. I fly every week and change at times and have experienced shenanigans from agents, from skipping folks on the lists, to not aaking couples and not following procedures.
I’ve been passed over for standbys, upgrades and even had a nasty GA put me in the last seat when there were other seats available. At least twice I was on the phone with an agent so the response I received was recorded so the nasty one got his due reprimand. I sent in my complaint from the plain as we were taking off from Atlanta.
While Delta is not the only company forced to hire lazy, ignorant employees who don’t deserve the jobs they have, they are in roles that have a larger impact than a cashier at McDonald’s. I do appreciate though getting the stellar service I received from the MSP based FA’S this week so all is not lost.
A lot of whining coach ff paxs. If you want J or F pay for it. You can’t complain that carriers are selling upgrades for “tens of dollars” but then don’t want to pay and then complain. I hope the airlines remove this as a FF perk and just give points and lounge access.
.
@AngieK most paxs are connected to a certain airline based on where they live. Someone who lives in Northern NJ is going to Newark and someone in Atlanta is flying DL. If you value frequencies and non stops, there is not as may choices as you think. Hub cities dominate which airline a ff will take.
You waive your upgrade once you board.
@Brian Agreed!
@Dan, which aircraft was it? and how much were they asking for the bump?
A recent flight, DTW-SFO Main to C+ was under 7000 SM, but Main to FC was $700 each way, 69k SM. I took the C+, scored an aisle seat with an empty middle on the way out, window on the way home…
Better yet was the complete lack of service “due to turbulence.”
Flying isn’t the luxurious event it used to be, if it ever was. Luxurious flying domestically in the US? Fuggedaboutit
Why does the first person quoted keep calling the gate agent “they”? Could he not determine her sex or were there multiple agents?
It’s intriguing that so many commenters say “you aren’t paying for first class, don’t whine about not getting an upgrade into first class when there are empty seats.” That is objectively only half-true. If you have achieved some type of status on any airline which is sufficient to qualify you to be upgraded into first class, you have, in fact, paid in full for that upgrade opportunity. You paid by spending your dollars or your company’s dollars to travel on that airline over some other airline enough times to reach that status, or (more likely, nowadays) you chose to put many thousands of dollars of spending on a credit card hawked by that particular airline, as opposed to using some other credit card company from which you might have received cash back or free hotel nights, etc. So while it is certainly true that the airline customer with a coach class seat and some precious mineral status did not pay the higher price for a first class seat on that given flight, they most assuredly did pay for the right to receive an upgrade from their coach seat into one of those empty first class seats. And of the myriad ways that airlines regularly convey to their “status” customers that the “status” they worked so hard to achieve actually isn’t really worth the money they diverted to the airline to get there, flying routes with empty first class seats and folks who qualified to upgrade into those seats back in coach tops the list for most folks.
United absolutely does this as well.
In these times the bottom line has become more important than the company’s mission statement. I would bet Delta’s mission is to provide a great flying experience, but the folks who check folks in don’t get more pay for spending the time upgrading folks. Leadership is not there instilling them with the importance of their mission. And so they don’t.
It’s happened to me a few times.
You want to sit in that first class seat then pay for it. Don’t think that they owe you that seat that you didn’t pay for for any reason at all You’re not entitled to anything.
I call BS on this. It may happen from time to time but rarely does any of my flights go out with empty FC seats. They are are all full and upgrades have been processed. Even seen gate agents come onboard and tell person they have been upgraded. While there are gate agents still out there that don’t care I do not see the rampant suggestion of this article
@ Brian
The article has nothing to do with non-revs getting upgraded or not. It’s about gate agents not processing upgrades at all. Please reread it and then feel free to comment intelligently.
I fly American. They ALWAYS process upgrades. I’ve twice been boarded and asked if I wanted to move up because someone missed the flight. My wife had it happen twice as well.
Considering one of the largest benefits of status is the chance for upgrades, I have been happy with American’s commitment to them. If I don’t as on the list and the plane left with empty upgrade seats, I would be absolutely livid. Thankfully, never once happened in my several dozens of flights over the past few years.
It’s not just Delta.
I would rather see them upselling the seats after the plane is in the air than gate agents being lazy to clear the upgrade list.
I am a Delta flight attendant. I almost NEVER see empty FC or Delta One seats.
I had purchased first class seats for myself and my little one (a 7 pound cat). Yes, I purchased a seat for the cat. I have too much to carry on if she was considered “luggage” and she is absolutely not luggage. We were flying to visit with my wife for the holiday. After getting off duty 2 hours late, and driving 4 hours to the airport, I had noticed that everyone traveling on Delta with pets was being denied boarding. I thought to myself, at least she is a ticketed passenger. Nope. We were denied boarding too, but for different reasons than the other people. Delta’s “pet policy” has a lot of unwritten gotchas to deny boarding, and when the agents are called out about that the default answer is “FAA regulations” – it happens that I am also a pilot and know that excuse was just as much BS. I have driven over 130k miles instead of flying to work over the past 5 years. At first, it was necessary, if one remembers what happened in 2020. Well, apparently it is still necessary, since my cat goes everywhere I go.
The other issue is that Delta would not refund the fare in cash, only in miles. How am I supposed to use miles if I can’t travel with my cat? Since I had adopted her as a kitten, we have been apart from each other for less than 2 weeks over 4.5 years.
I have to disagree with people saying you aren’t entitled to FC just because you’re a medallion. It’s a huge part of the reason people become medallions, and they have to pay more than ever..
On the other hand, business travelers who do not buy their own tickets get ff miles, while when we crew stay at a hotel on a layover, hotels rarely give us points. How is that different?
I had a upgrade out of sea last year Never made the cleared list asked the gate agent was told your already in comfort told her I wasn’t had to block the line to make her check. Got on board a delta pilot sat down next to me his buddy went to the back. Bottom line if you don’t pay attention they will screw you over
I was a flight attendant with another US carrier but flew Delta a lot once out of the industry and I’ve rarely seen an abundance of first class seats available. Even trying to purchase a premium seat out right is getting tough much less an upgrade.
@skygirl86
As a DM, I’ve seen it more than it should happen. I fly almost weekly, and last year have seen it about 7-8 times. 1 time is too much. Heck, on one flight, there were 3 open FC seats, with at least 2 dozen on the upgrade list.
As far as hotel points, guess you need to work that into your next contract then. I’m pretty sure your company gets a very cheap rate, much less than everyone else has to pay.
I can understand people wanting an upgrade.
Wouldn’t it be better to just book a first class seat. If that is not available, go to a different airline.
When it is a case of an individual deciding if you can or can’t have your upgrade, it makes it risky to go on a waiting list.
I hsbe seen peo0le on the upgrade que and the open FC seats go to crew. A gate agent told me that once you board the plane you have given up your option to ge upgraded. I only learned this as I was waiting to board. I was hanging out to see if they needed my volunteer seat. We’ll of that theory was treat, I should have cleared FC as I was incthe upgrade que. Nope two DL pilots got the upgrades. Frustrating
I am a gate agent and upgrade all the time! I also split 2 or contact them before moving to next person if only 1 seat available. I rarely have empty FC seats. However, we do have to pay attention to on time departures.
So what!
Gate agents should clear the upgrade list and with technology you should know if a seat becomes open. That being said if you want first pay for first. Cash upgrades are usually very reasonable if you monitor.
Sadly many of you sound entitled and misinformed. There are so many factors that go into this. Some of you can only see your situation when in reality there are so many other things to be factored in. Sometimes those overworked agents do not have the time to process upgrades. Not to mention, most of you who qualify act super picky and entitled. Many people love delta for their promptness and on time flights. Your upgrade is a perk but unfortunately not a high priority. I get your frustrations but to act as if they are not upgrading you on purpose or they are being lazy is insane. Boarding is very chaotic. If you want an upgrade do not board until the end!!!!!!! On a full flight an agent would have to physically come to your seat and give you new assignment and then assign your MC seat to someone else. If you all hate delta so muc, go to AA or UA! please!
Real travelers know that domestic FC on Delta is rarely available. So please stop it.
I don’t have status on any airline. The closest I come are my 2 “free” lounge passes I get with my United credit card, LOL. I almost never fly FC so I don’t have a dog in this fight. I see a lot comments that status holders should just suck it up and buy FC instead of complaining about a flight leaving with empty seats and an upgrade list that a GA didn’t clear. I don’t understand those comments.
Fliers who hold status earn it by doing something the airline currently believes is valuable to the airline. The airline chooses, again currently, to reward those fliers with certain benefits, including space-available upgrades under certain circumstances. That isn’t an entitlement, it’s a benefit or a reward. Airlines should follow their rules for upgrades, not bend or break them without a contracted reason. Airlines almost never bend or break their rules for passengers.
To me, it seems like there are a lot of commenters who lack status and are either jealous of the benefits earned by status or are really hoping those $200 upgrades become more available.
What Jennifer said
I’ve been a frequent flier for nearly 30 years. A million miler on another airline before moving to Delta. I’ve earned another 1.5 million with Delta, and until 2020 I received upgrades and other perks on nearly every flight. Starting in late 2020 I stopped receiving any form of upgrade. I’d often receive a seat change ticket at the gate, but it was usually to move me to a middle seat in main cabin. Many here have mentioned entitlement, but when one spends in excess of $50,000 per year, it has a new name. “Loyalty”. Delta doesn’t seem to reciprocate that loyalty…in many ways. A year ago I decided to leave Delta and moved to another airline, and shortly after earning status, I found myself regularly receiving upgrades and other perks. If you’re not happy, as mentioned above…just don’t give them your business. It costs a few months to a year to re-earn status on another airline, and it becomes a relationship built on mutual respect and loyalty.
I feel those on the upgrade list should pay for the seat ahead of time – if they want to. It is nice not to have a second person next to you in first – unless they pay for it.
Do you have issues with another person sitting next to you in coach- then pay for business plus.
I would rather see Military, Fire Fighters, Police, Hospital workers, volunteers and others that help others everyday in those seats over those that feel entitled.-
Start your own airline if you can do it better but those that are working hard each day deserve thanks not a negative story.
Just a point of view-
American like Delta has no loyalty to status customers. After becoming Platinum last March I’ve flown 3 times RT And if I haven’t paid the cost to upgrade, it didn’t exist.
On a short haul flight in Nov, Eight of 20 seats in FC were available. Rules were that I would be upgraded 48 hours before flight.
That didn’t happen nor did I get upgraded for the flight And their pathetic chat department told me it was because the seats were in the hands of the airport 48 hours before the flight? BS
I will never try to attain anything more than gold , just not worth it.
Totally inexcusable in my opinion as a Delta Diamond flyer. They need to fix this NOW! Ed Bastian better get this resolved immediately.
Hopefully the planes carrying you entitled rich morons crash directly into the nearest mountain.
Give me a break.
I flew Delta back in November. I bought a Delta Comfort seat. My first flight was cancelled due to mechanical problems with the plane. I caution anyone who has to rebook to be careful because it seems they will automatically book you in basic economy and expect you to call a number to get the refund of the price difference. I understand that if you want on the very next flight out and all that is available is basic economy seats then that is fine. That wasn’t the issue in my case. I asked them to find me the next flight to my destination that does have a Delta comfort seat as I wasn’t able to fly out that day anyway. They stated they didn’t have any future flights with Delta comfort seats so every agent I spoke to said. I did some searching myself and realized if you are able to choose your seat and look at the available seats, there are several seats that are marked with an X that state unavailable. They did not state occupied like many of the other seats were. I discovered that those seats that state unavailable are not sold seats, they are for potential customers. I had an agent who attempted to avoid my question about the difference between unavailable and occupied. Finally after continuing to press the issue in the chat, the agent verified that the seats that were marked unavailable were in fact unsold seats to potential customers..That wouldn’t have been a problem except I kept getting denied a Delta Comfort seat though some were marked unavailable. Now, they already had my money that I paid for the Delta Comfort seat and kept trying to tell me they don’t do upgrades. I told them it wasn’t an upgrade and that I already paid for Delta Comfort and they have my money yet they are not allowing me to sit in the seat I paid extra for. To me, they should have put an already paying customer first and taken care of me than “ potential customers “ which was obvious on both my flights they didn’t even sell to any potential customers. I still had to explain my situation to each of the gate agents to get the seats I paid for. Everyonof the agents I spoke to were friendly and courteous to me. After I explained they have my money already for my Comfort seats, they did finally accommodate me. However, Delta needs to care for their existing customers before they worry about any potential customers. I still lost a day with my family over Thanksgiving and a day of leave from work.
It is tough especially with pressure from local management for an one-time departure. I am a Delta retiree. I worked at LAX. An issue we didn’t have was having a single gate agent working the majority of the flight only assisted in the final 15-20 minutes prior to departure. There is only so much a single person can accomplish. On occasions that I do fly and rarely witness any unoccupied seats in first class. Gate agents are empathetic and spend many of the final minutes attempting to accommodate couples or families that were split up. It has been mentioned upgrades are a perk, but they are an incentive and enticement to keep your business. I think it is a perk that is well deserved. I would advocate establishing a cutoff though. There is no need to have 30 people on an upgrade list contending for 3 or 4 open seats.
Diamond Medallion here, they pass us over as well. I have had to press the gate agent to upgrade me. And in some cases they just give a verbal, don’t assign a seat and leave multiple other seats empty. Delta has lost its way. Sad decline
To the “experts” who claim frequent fliers are elitist and self entitled, apparently you have never been an elite flier. Your company hand in hand with American Express hard sell elite fliers and the perks that are available. That’s how they make money.
I fly several times a year on Delta mostly overseas so I will never get any kind of higher level status or airport longe visits. But I enjoy flying Delta because the gate and flight attendants are always so nice and friendly! I wonder how many Medallion people have taken the time to write a compliment for a Delta employee? I gave done so on almost every flight where someone did something extra to make it a great flight!
This too has happened to me. I am a diamond medallion member and was blown away this happened. It never happens on United. I typically book First Class but was traveling alone and thought.. hey why not. Well I found out why not. I also find the gate agents frequently less than friendly especially in Atlanta. My husband now prefers United because of multiple reasons.