Delta Chaos Continues on Tuesday as Hundreds More Flights Canceled, Dept. of Transportation Opens Investigation

23.07.2024 - 14:47 / travelandleisure.com / Pete Buttigieg / Ed Bastian

Delta's flight disruptions have continued as hundreds of flights were canceled and delayed on Tuesday, which has now led to the Department of Transportation to open an investigation into the airline.

As of Tuesday morning, 415 Delta flights were canceled while 356 were delayed, with majority of the disruptions coming out of Delta's home airport of Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, according to Flightaware.

"@USDOT has opened an investigation into Delta Air Lines to ensure the airline is following the law and taking care of its passengers during continued widespread disruptions," Transporation Sec. Pete Buttigieg announced on X this morning. «All airline passengers have the right to be treated fairly, and I will make sure that right is upheld.»

Buttigieg also encouraged travelers who are experiencing a disruption to file a complaint through the DOT.

While a representative Delta did not immediately respond to request for comment from Travel + Leisure on Tuesday, Delta's CEO Ed Bastian shared in a published memo to employees on Monday afternoon update that “we’ve got everyone around the company working around the clock."

Delta extended a travel waiver through Tuesday, but required all travel be rebooked by July 28. Travelers will also have the option to request a refund or receive a SkyMiles voucher. The airline additionally said it would issue reimbursements for eligible expenses.

Known as the busiest airport in the world, videos and images showing stranded passengers in the Atlanta airport with one user noting rental cars weren't available and hotel options limited given the amount of people stuck there.

While the airline also did not immediately respond to a request for comment from T+L on Tuesday, on Friday, the airline shared that it's working with its partner airlines to address challenges.