Delta suspends VIP treatment for US lawmakers as shutdown sows airport chaos
Airline suspends ‘specialty services’ for Congress as the current environment becomes ‘increasingly difficult’
Delta Air Lines said on Tuesday it would suspend special services for members of Congress, citing the impact of a partial government shutdown that has disrupted US air travel.
“Due to the impact on resources from the long-standing government shutdown, Delta will temporarily suspend specialty services to members of Congress flying Delta.
“Next to safety, Delta’s no. 1 priority is taking care of our people and customers, which has become increasingly difficult in the current environment,” the Atlanta-based US air carrier said in a statement.
Members of Congress will not get airport escorts or VIP treatment for other services such as seat upgrades or rebooking, the airline said, though lawmakers will still have access to a special phone line for reservations.