Delta Air Lines could start 2024’s second quarter with an industry-rocking move.
EDITOR’S NOTE: This satirical post originally ran on April 1, 2024. Much to some people’s anger, it is still showing up in their social media feeds days after April Fool’s Day. We have no control over how social media networks control their feeds. (If we did, we’d be trillionaires and would buy some people a much-needed sense of humor.) Please take up that issue with them.
Two Delta corporate sources independently told Eye of the Flyer that the Atlanta-based carrier is reportedly departing the SkyTeam alliance on December 31.
It’s expected that Delta partners such as Air France, KLM, Virgin Atlantic, LATAM, and Korean Air will combine with the Atlanta-based carrier to form their own alliance.
No More Partner Earnings
Lily Dawson-Chadalau, an executive assistant at Delta who agreed to speak off the record, told us Delta also said it will no longer allow passengers to earn Medallion Qualification Dollars (MQD) or redeemable SkyMiles for trips flown on any airline other than Delta.
“People still fly AeroMexico?” she said, scoffing at those who take business class trips on the Mexican carrier and credit their flights to SkyMiles accounts in order to receive bonus MQD.
Flying (Jet)Blue?
“Keep your eyes on B6,” one of the sources said, alluding to JetBlue’s airline code. “They’re so desperate to merge with anyone. Frankly, their A321neos are better than ours. And Delta seems to think it invented anything that rolls out of an Airbus plant.
“Let’s face it,” the source continued. “People seem to like JetBlue Mint more than they do Delta One,” referring to the respective airlines’ business class products. “But JetBlue doesn’t have great lounges like Delta does. Flying Blue may soon not only be just the Air France-KLM loyalty program. A lot of Delta passengers might be flying Delta Blue.”
Let’s Not Mince Words
We’ll have more on this story as it develops throughout this HAPPY APRIL FOOL’S DAY!
To be clear: this is all a joke. We have no knowledge of Delta leaving SkyTeam, forming an alliance with anyone else, or eliminating earnings on other airlines.
Responses are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser. Responses have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by the bank advertiser. It is not the bank advertiser's responsibility to ensure all posts and/or questions are answered.
April Fools Day. Otherwise this would be awful.
You scared me for a minute!
YOU GOT ME >>>> LOL! I had a number of AF flights booked for my MQD runs. However, it would be a big plus if Delta start adding more Asia Destinations (United definitely leads in this space amongst the 3 major US carriers) instead focusing EVERYTHING Atlanta and the Domestic market.
You got me for a second!
Given how (bad) I was treated as a Flying Blue Platinium member while flying domestic with Delta last June, that move wouldn’t have surprised me one bit and would have not made things any worse if it had already been implemented last year.
This absolutely a stupid prank and you should be ashamed of yourself. I don’t have time to deal with juvenile behavior and will look at your emails in a different light in the future
I’m guessing this is your April Fool’s prank…
“don’t have time to deal with juvenile behavior.” Just out of curiosity, does your colossal ego get its own seat when you travel? Get over yourself!
This was an awesome prank and in good fun. Cheers to you!!!!
I was totally believing this. Based on Delta’s bonehead moves this year to punish it’s loyal FF customers, I wasn’t surprised. I was pondering writing a letter to Delta about their ultimate arrogance.
Thank God I read to the end!
You got me.
Nice try!
Not even funny. To read the headline of the article and then the ‘details’ of how they would leave the ‘Alliance’ – only to get down to the end to find out this was some kind of sick joke, is to have some fun at your (serious) readers expense. NOT funny. If you want to be regarding as a serious mainstream frequent-travel blog, act like one.
SkyTeam is an alliance. Just like Oneworld. And Star Alliance.
You got me for sure. Good just for April fools, would be awful if they did it for real.
This one had me going until I noticed you published the name of your off-the-record “source.” Well done!
If you can’t laugh at this prank, lighten up!! And stop taking life so seriously!
That was when I realized it was a prank too.
Got me!
And here you had me feeling very sorry for Ms. Dawson-Chadalau who was most likely about to be sacked. My mom inexplicably got me every April Fool’s Day and so did you.
I’ll text Ms. Dawson-Chadalau and pass along your condolences. 🙂 (One of my nieces is named Lily. Dawson is her brother’s middle name. Chadalau means “goodbye” in some secret language that their dad and some of his friends made up.)
You people who are upset need to take stock in your life if frequent flying miles is so important. You must be sad silly individuals. My god the ultimate in entitled behavior. I can’t imagine anyone wanting to suffer when they are around you.
April fools, or is it? LOL!!! Fools for sure
CDG, not good to make personal attacks on people for just stating their opinion on things.
I found this very believable, and funny. Thanks for the laugh.
@KJ – That is the scary part – there truly is no red line for the mothership! 🙁
I nearly (pooped) my pants at first … but “an executive assistant at Delta who agreed to speak off to the record” would certainly lose a good paying job …
Kudos, good joke.
At first I was wondering if your “Delta corporate sources” were pulling an April Fools prank on you!
After this post, I won’t be surprised if the real ones do.
Its July 5th, 2024. You got me!!! I can feel my BP going way up LOL!!!