Delta boosts automatic re-book app's abilities

When delay hits, it’s crunch time. What you want is options, and you want them fast. To that end Delta Air Lines is touting the enhanced capabilities of its Fly Delta app, as well as its web site, delta.com.

According to a prepared release by the airline, either avenue will now:

- Let you choose an alternative origin or destination airport. This wrinkle works with Delta flights per se, as well as Delta-marketed flights. When what the carrier calls “irregular operations” come in to play you can change flight dates and times as well;
- Allow you to get similar seating, assuming it’s still there to be had. If you can’t get any seat, the system adds you to the airport standby list;
- Recognize so-called “special service remarks” in your reservation, such as provision of a wheelchair. The new set-up also recognizes baggage transfer requests. This way your luggage is supposed to get transferred to your new itinerary.

That’s what’s new just now. By this fall Delta says the automatic re-book system will be able “to find unique and creative routings” when you’re searching for options in the wake of delays.