Delta loosens ticket restrictions

Delta Air Lines is loosening restrictions on basic economy tickets to reduce the deluge of frustrated travelers facing hourslong waits on customer service phone lines.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution said Delta is now temporarily allowing changes to basic economy tickets for travel through Dec. 31, 2021, “to help address call wait times as we increase staffing,” CEO Ed Bastian wrote to customers.

The changes can be made online without paying a change fee.

Delta is hiring more than 5,000 people, including 1,300 reservations specialists who will be trained by September and 3,000 in airport customer service and other areas.

Delta is also extending its elite frequent fliers’ Medallion status through Jan. 31, 2023, and their upgrade certificates.