Some Delta fliers will receive credits

Thousands stuck after thunderstorms hit Atlanta hub last week.

Thousands of Delta Air Lines passengers who got stuck in the meltdown after thunderstorms last week are getting 20,000 SkyMiles or $200 vouchers.

But not everyone affected by delays or the 4,000 flight cancellations over five days is getting the miles or travel vouchers. They are going to those who were significantly delayed, though Delta isn’t disclosing the criteria.

“20,000 miles to say we’re sorry,” is the heading on a letter from Delta CEO Ed Bastian to SkyMiles members who are getting the credits.

The letter attributes the “major disruption” to severe weather and tornadic activity at the airline’s hub in Atlanta, with Bastian adding: “Our response in the days following was out of character, and I am sorry for what you experienced.”

“It was an accumulation of events,” he wrote. “I have heard from many of you who feel like we let you down.”

Delta “will continue to review all aspects of the disruption and develop a plan to avoid a similar situation in the future,” the letter says.

The travel vouchers are sent via email to others who provided contact information to Delta. The airline encourages customers to provide contact information so the company can reach them.

The miles or vouchers are not labeled as compensation for passengers’ expenses resulting from the delays. The airline says anyone “who feels the specifics of their flight requires additional attention” should contact the airline’s customer service via phone or the comment/complaint form on Delta’s website.

HYOSUB SHIN / HSHIN@AJC.COM Delta passengers wait in line in hopes of catching their flight out of Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport last week as 4,000 flights were canceled over five days.