A Delta flight delay, cancellation or missed connection can disrupt your entire itinerary, but you may not need to purchase another ticket yourself.
When Delta significantly delays or cancels a qualifying flight, the airline may automatically rebook affected passengers. Start by checking your existing reservation before making another booking.
What Should You Do First After a Delta Flight Disruption?
Delta Reservations
800-221-1212Delta lists this number for U.S. assistance with new and existing reservations.
Keep your confirmation number, original flight details, replacement itinerary and preferred alternative flight ready before calling.
Does Delta Automatically Rebook Cancelled Flights?
In many qualifying disruption situations, Delta first attempts to move affected passengers to another available flight.
The updated itinerary may appear automatically in My Trips or the Fly Delta app, so check your reservation before purchasing a replacement ticket.
Check the Entire Itinerary
Do not review only the replacement first flight. Confirm your connections, arrival airport, return segments and seat assignments as well.
How to Rebook a Delta Flight After a Cancellation or Delay
Check My Trips
Open My Trips on Delta.com or the Fly Delta app and review your current itinerary.
Review the Rebooked Flight
Check whether Delta has already moved you to another flight and review the entire itinerary.
Search for Another Flight
If the automatic replacement does not work, check whether another eligible Delta flight is available.
Check Your Connections
Make sure the new flight still works with every remaining connection and return segment.
Confirm the New Itinerary
Verify your flight number, departure time, arrival airport, seat assignment and boarding details.
Example
Original flight: 9:00 AM
Automatic replacement: 5:30 PM
Alternative available flight: 1:00 PM
What If a Delta Delay Causes You to Miss a Connection?
A missed connection caused by a flight disruption is different from a passenger arriving late at the airport.
If your incoming Delta flight is delayed and you can no longer make the next segment, check your app or My Trips. Your connection may already have been updated.
If the replacement connection does not appear or does not work for your trip, contact Delta or speak with a representative at the airport.
Do You Have to Pay to Rebook After Delta Cancels a Flight?
A rebooking caused by an airline disruption is different from a voluntary change made because you simply prefer another flight.
Delta Changes the Flight
Cancellation, significant delay or qualifying misconnection may result in rebooking without an additional rebooking charge.
Passenger Changes Plans
Fare differences and applicable ticket restrictions can apply when you voluntarily choose another flight.
Can You Get a Refund Instead of Rebooking?
Depending on the disruption, you may prefer not to accept the replacement flight.
If your flight was cancelled, significantly delayed or significantly changed and you decide not to take the alternative flight, review whether the unused portion of your trip qualifies for a refund.
What If Delta's Replacement Flight Does Not Work?
Search Another Flight
Check My Trips for another available itinerary.
Contact Delta
Ask about other eligible options if self-service rebooking does not work.
Review Refund Eligibility
Check your refund options if you decide not to travel.
Can Delta Rebook You on Another Airline?
In some qualifying disruption situations, Delta may arrange alternative transportation on another carrier with which it has an applicable ticketing agreement when a suitable Delta flight is unavailable.
This does not mean every available competing-airline flight can automatically be used. Availability, route, ticketing agreements and the circumstances of the disruption matter.
What Happens to Checked Baggage After Rebooking?
If your itinerary changes, do not forget about your checked baggage.
Confirm where your bag is being routed, particularly when:
- Your connecting airport changes.
- Your final destination changes.
- You are moved to another carrier.
- You decide not to continue the trip.
- Your replacement flight departs much later.
Can You Get Reimbursement for Meals or Hotels?
Certain qualifying disruptions within the airline's control may make passengers eligible to request reimbursement for specified expenses.
Rebooking vs Schedule Change: What's the Difference?
| Situation | Typical Category |
|---|---|
| Flight cancelled close to departure | Disruption |
| Major delay on travel day | Disruption |
| Missed connection caused by delay | Disruption |
| Airline changes schedule weeks ahead | Schedule change |
| Passenger chooses another flight | Voluntary change |
What Should You Do During a Major Weather Disruption?
Check whether Delta has published a travel waiver for your departure, destination or connecting airport.
If a waiver applies, review:
- Eligible airports
- Original travel dates
- Rebooking deadline
- Permitted new travel dates
- Fare-difference conditions
Delta Disruption Rebooking: Quick Guide
| Situation | What to Do |
|---|---|
| Delta cancelled flight | Check automatic rebooking |
| Significant delay | Review replacement itinerary |
| Missed connection due to disruption | Check next available rebooking |
| Replacement flight does not work | Search another flight or contact Delta |
| No suitable Delta flight | Ask about eligible alternative-carrier options |
| Do not want to travel | Check refund eligibility |
| Checked baggage involved | Confirm baggage routing |
| Major weather event | Check for a travel waiver |
| Complex itinerary | Contact Reservations |
Frequently Asked Questions
Final Word
When a Delta flight is cancelled, significantly delayed, or causes you to miss a connection, check your existing reservation before purchasing another ticket.
Delta may have already rebooked you. If the replacement itinerary does not work, search My Trips for alternatives or contact Reservations.
Before continuing your journey, verify the new flight, every remaining segment, your seat assignment and checked baggage routing.