A Delta Air Lines Boeing 757-200 aircraft passes the Capitol dome in Washington on Nov. 9, 2025, before landing at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport.
Bill Clark | CQ-Roll Call, Inc. | getty images
No sky benefits for you!
delta air lines The air carrier said Tuesday it has suspended its airport escorts and red coat services for members of Congress and their staff due to the ongoing partial shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security.
The move comes a week after Delta CEO Ed Bastian attacked Congress for failing to authorize pay for Transportation Security Administration agents during the agency’s shutdown, including the TSA, during an interview with CNBC’s “Squawk Box.”
“Due to the impact on resources from the prolonged government shutdown, Delta will temporarily suspend exclusive services for Congress Flying Delta members,” Delta said in a statement to CNBC.
“After safety, Delta’s No. 1 priority is taking care of our people and customers, which has become increasingly difficult in the current environment,” the airline said.
Delta’s action was first reported Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Delta’s Capitol desk, which is the reservation line for members of Congress and staff, remains open.
But for now, those customers will be treated like any other passengers based on their respective Sky Miles status.
The move comes at a time when airports across the US, including major hubs in cities like Atlanta, where Delta is based, are seeing extra long security lines as a result of the increased absence of TSA agents, who are set to miss their second full payday this week.
Bastien expressed outrage on CNBC last week, saying it was “inexcusable that our security agents, our frontline agents, who are essential to our work, are not being paid. And it’s ridiculous to see them being used as political chips.”
“So, we’re angry,” Bastian said.
“And if there is a call to action here – and I think over 90% of the American public supports paying those people – then ask our people right here in Washington to do their job, get our people paid. They can do that,” the CEO said.
United AirlinesAsked by CNBC if he had suspended his similar perks for members of Congress, he said, “We have no changes to announce today.”
CNBC has requested comment American Airlines About its services to federal parliamentarians.
Airline executives have railed against lawmakers in recent months, urging them to ensure that essential government workers like TSA officers are paid during shutdowns, which have become increasingly common.
Repeated funding impasses, including in early 2019 and as recently as last autumn, were quickly followed by the absence of government workers who were required to work without pay.