Delta Airlines Strikes: What to Do When They Happen

Joanna Teljeur

By:  Joanna Teljeur

Last Updated:  2 June 2025

Delta mainline employees haven’t had a strike in over twenty years, but occasionally pilots and other employee groups will attempt to negotiate for better wages or benefits. If they don’t make any progress with their requests, then a strike might be called, but as history has shown, they don’t actually take place because an agreement is eventually reached. 

But what does this mean for passengers? In this guide we’ll explain what you should do and understand if you have flight disruptions caused by a Delta Airline strike. 

What to Do When You Hear Delta is Planning to Strike

Sometimes airlines will cancel flights when a strike has been announced, but even in 2022 when Delta pilots voted to strike, passengers weren’t affected by delays or cancellations.

It’s also worth mentioning that strikes are usually called during busy travel periods like summer and winter holiday seasons. So, if you read about a Delta strike, here’s what you can do.

• Stay Informed: Download the Delta app or sign up for SMS and email alerts. These will keep you informed about any changes to your flight. 
• Check the Website: If you don’t want to get these notifications, check Delta’s travel alert page for any news about affected flights. 
• Check for Flexibility: If you think your flight will be disrupted, contact Delta customer service to see about changing your booking to a later date. In most cases when a strike seems certain, airlines will not charge additional rebooking fees.
• Rebook with Partner Airlines: Ask about being rebooked on a flight with one of Delta’s partners including Air France, KLM, TAROM, AeroMexico, and China Eastern.
• Ask about Travel Insurance Coverage: Check to see if your travel insurance or credit card offers any coverage for strike-related flight interruptions.

If a Strike Happens, Do You Have Rights as a Passenger?

Passengers in the United States have some passenger rights, though not nearly as many as you would have in Canada, the UK, and Europe. In the following sections, you’ll see what Delta is required to give you if you have strike-related flight disruptions.

What Happens if Delta Cancels Your Flight?

If your flight is canceled because of a Delta strike, then the airline must give you the option of getting an alternate flight at no extra charge or a refund for all the unused part of your ticket including fees you paid for extras.

If you choose a refund, it must be issued to you within 7 days for credit cards and 20 days if you used other payment methods.

What if Your Flight is Delayed or Changed?

The U.S. Department of Transportation requires Delta to give you the choice of a refund or a rebooking if your flight is severely delayed or significantly changed. 

• Severely delayed or significantly changed means:
• A delay of more than 3 hours for domestic flights or more than 6 hours on international ones
• Changes to your connecting airport(s)
• Changes to your seating class, for example if you were moved from a business class seat to economy.
• Changes to your arrival or departure airports
• You are reassigned to a less-accessible flight or airport if you have a disability
• Changes to the number of connections you have to make. For example, if you booked a flight with 1 connection and then it is changed to 2 or more.

When Will You Get Your Delta Refund?

If you do have a cancellation or a significant change, you can expect Delta to issue your refund within 7 business days if you paid for your ticket with a credit card. If you used another form of payment, then it can take as much as 20 calendar days. Also, be aware that international refunds can take a bit longer to process.

Can You Make Changes to Your Delta Booking?

If a strike has been announced or underway, you might be able to make changes to your booking, but be sure to check the Delta travel advisory page where you’ll find relevant information about flight changes because of strike activity. 

Sometimes, airlines will allow you to alter your booking without incurring any of the usual fees, but this is completely up to Delta and isn’t a legal requirement. If you hear that Delta might go on strike and you have a non-refundable ticket, the best thing to do is wait until they make the change or cancellation. This way you can get a rebooking or a refund. 

Will Delta Reimburse You for Out-of-Pocket Expenses?

Possibly! Again, reimbursement is not required of Delta. However, if your flight is canceled or delayed, causing you to wait overnight, you might be able to get reimbursed for meals, hotel accommodation, and other necessary purchases as long as they are “reasonable”. In other words, don’t get the bridal suite or eat at the most expensive restaurant and expect to be reimbursed. 

In order to get money back from Delta, you will have to complete their reimbursement request form. Also, if you have a flight disruption of any kind, always keep your receipts so you can include them in the request.

Bottom Line

Bottom line, Delta Airlines isn’t likely to have an active strike anytime soon, but if they do, remember to document everything. If you have a delay, cancellation, or if you miss a connection or you’re denied boarding, ask the gate agents to provide you with a statement of why it happened. You’ll need this if you request money back.  

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Author:

Joanna Teljeur

Job/Position: Senior Editor & Content Lead

Joanna Teljeur is a senior editor and writer with 15+ years of experience in editorial leadership, journalism, and content development with a focus on consumer rights, aviation law, and public-interest reporting. Her work centers on transforming complex regulatory and legal topics into clear, accurate, and accessible content for international audiences.

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