I received the following email today and since there was talk of Delta and a Bankruptcy, I am sharing it with you:

We at Delta Air Lines understand there is more choice in air travel than ever before, and we are working hard to be your preferred airline. You may have read in the news about our transformation plan and the work we are doing to become an even stronger competitor for your business. Delta is committed to meeting your travel needs now and in the future.

Our goal is to create a new airline for a new era—one that is comfortable, affordable, simple, stylish, and inviting to our customers. In the weeks ahead, our focus will be on continuing to implement the vision of a newly structured, customer-focused airline, with a cost structure that allows us to compete aggressively wherever we fly.

While we strive to make your overall Delta experience more enjoyable and convenient, we recognize that we have several hurdles to overcome to avoid court supervised restructuring. We continue to work to avoid this outcome. However, even if it were to happen, we will continue to provide you with safe, secure, and reliable service both in the air and on the ground. For example:

• Tickets will be honored, and refunds and exchanges will be made as usual.

• The miles in your SkyMiles® account will not be affected, and you will continue to have the opportunity to earn and redeem miles with Delta and our partners just as you've always done.

• Amenities like Delta's Crown Room Club® will continue to be available in select cities we serve.

• You'll still earn one mile for every eligible dollar spent and Always Double Miles® on qualifying purchases made with the Delta SkyMiles Credit Card from American Express®.

Please visit delta.com/transform for the latest Delta news, more information about the improvements referenced above, and our plans to create a better travel experience.
On behalf of all Delta employees worldwide, thank you for your continued loyalty and support.

Sincerely,


Paul Matsen
Senior Vice President
and Chief Marketing Officer

I received the same email, Kathy. Being from Atlanta, it's sort of sad seeing Delta go down the bankruptcy road.

I am just glad I am not losing my Delta miles - yet. But after receiving the email, I do wonder if I will ever get to do that round the world free air I have been saving all my miles for. And only 5,000 to go for business class the entire way. Now if I only had enough Marriott points to get all my hotels, food and tours free!

Sounds like the same message I got a few weeks ago from USAirways. Who knows what is going on when the planes always seem to be full?

We're traveling with Delta today PHX-Rome. Will let you know if we pick up any additional info.

Betty, I am in the exact same place as you with USAIR!! After working so hard to get to that point, it is so depressing to think that we might lose those miles completely. I know I should be thinking about booking a flight soon with my miles, but with vacations booked already for the next few years, I don't have any idea how I will do that. It's just a little irrational to plan a trip to Australia (or someplace further) for a weekend!! :eek:

Using Delta for "MINT"
Always makes one nervous.

We were planning on using Delta - our first time - to go to Aruba this winter as their prices are so much better than American's. I dislike American anyway. We're in a holding state with our reservations until we know if they will still be flying or if the flight patterns will change so much that it's not feasible to go that route. It will be such a relief when we are able to book.

We have used Delta a lot, and there is nothing wrong with it (that is not also wrong with all other domestic airlines). I received this email also, and the implication is clear. Delta will offer fewer flights in the future. There was even a news story in our local paper stating this today. And, we know that Delta has already suspended all flights from Okla. City to Dallas/Ft. Worth, which is our nearest major hub.

Here I am on my "soapbox" again. These airlines were in pretty bad financial shape, then they have been hit with these horrible fuel prices, and something's going to "give". Yet, there is no release of oil from the US strategic reserve, no ultra-emergency efforts to repair rigs and facilities damaged by the hurricanes, no urgent measures to get oil out of Iraq ----- and no national sense of urgency of any kind. There will be more airline cut-backs and shut-downs. Airlines are as important to our nation as trains were in the late '40's, when President Truman nationalized the railroads to prevent shut-downs from a massive strike. Never though I'd say this, but I wish we could have Truman back!

Thanks,
Richard

Here in Montana it is Delta Express from Billings to Salt Lake.
Over the years they have upgraded their planes (somewhat). Other than never seeming to be on time departure they have done a good job.
We fly Delta a lot and am only worried about changes that could happen to our flight schedules for "MINT".
More worried about our return flight on Delta from San Juan 02/22/05 on our Diamond "ADRIFT"
cruise.
Going on Northwest, back on Delta.

Did anyone see the article in Time magazine about the guy in Singapore who is running the LOW cost airline? I guess it is booming. The article said that some seats even sold for as low as 29 cents!!! No kidding! He says that there is no special treatment for executives, and even he flies on a space available basis...buying his meals like all the other passengers.

He keeps buying more planes as other airlines go under...he is doing something right!

sheri,

A very successful European low cost carrier is
Ryan Air..we flew them this year from Stuttgart to Oslo for less than $50 R/T..unfortunately, in
Jan when the snow fell and fell in Oslo, our plane back to Stuttgart was delayed and we missed
our connecting flight in London...sooo we had to pay for two new tickets (they tell u upfront that
they are not responsible if weather changes your flights) at $100 pp...still flying to/from Germany/Normway for less than $300 was a good deal...r/wes

We have booked Silver Shadow for Apr.2nd. M.Carlo to Rome. The best way to route is via Delta from Ft.Laud.(our home) to Nice, and Rome to to Ft.Laud.
We went this route last Oct. on a Voyager cruise.
Wc have paid the air portion on this cruise and used FF miles to upgrade to business class. The web site fare has already increased slightly.
I received a lot of advice from helpful people at www.flyertalk.com. There were many references to the bankruptcy of United. "It has been two years since they filed and they are still flying."
Basicly, Chapter 11 is an agreement of creditors to accept a settlement. This is usually a confirmed agreement.
So, one should not be concerned. The U.S. business community will not allow the cessation of activities of its 3rd. largest airline.
Eastern Airlines, 20 years ago, was a totally different situation, too lengthy to describe.

When you go to flyertalk, click "forums" then "airlines' and "Delta."