Delta Air Lines is grappling with a surge in flight cancellations as it prepares for the busy summer travel season, according to a report by the Wall Street Journal. The airline, typically known for its reliability, has seen its domestic cancellation rates exceed the industry average this year.
During the first weekend of May, Delta cancelled hundreds of flights due to weather disruptions, while most other domestic airlines continued operations without issue. Only Spirit Airlines, which shut down that weekend, cancelled more flights, the report noted.
Pilot availability is a key factor, with cancellations due to pilot shortages more than ten times historic levels, accounting for 35% of mainline flight cancellations, up from 7% in 2024. Delta's senior vice president of flight operations, Ryan Gumm, stated that it can take 12 hours to find pilots for a single trip, and the acceptance rate for extra flights has plummeted to 2%, down from 37% a year prior.
Delta's pilot union chairman, Eric Criswell, said the airline started 2026 with around 800 fewer pilots than needed, citing an overreliance on volunteers for extra work. In 2024, Delta hired 500 pilots, less than half of the previous year, while competitors American and United hired hundreds more.
Delta's chief operating officer, Dan Janki, acknowledged the challenges in a memo, stating they highlight areas needing sharper operational focus. The airline is increasing staff to track pilot and crew schedules, and CEO Ed Bastian said the airline is reviewing scheduling and routing practices.
Despite the issues, Delta remains the most profitable US airline, with $14.7 billion in profits over the past five years, nearly double its nearest competitor, according to the New York Times.
