You'll Love The Way We Fly ... Paused for 24 Hours

This was supposed to be a feature post about Delta Air Lines and their 2026 Milan Cortina Livery employee and media event held at their ATL TechOpps Hanger on Jan. 8.

And it still is -- see below for details on this spectacular aircraft, the custom Airbus A350, branded for Team USA and striped with 26 lines for this year's Winter Olympiad.

Meanwhile, I'm typing this post from Gate E11 at Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, not far from Gate E3, where last night (30 Jan) we boarded for a flight to Amsterdam, my connection to Milan Linate airport. 

All was on time. In fact, things were looking up considering the threat of snow that encouraged and enabled departure one-day earlier than planned. On 29 Jan, after two hours on hold to respond by phone to the weather rebooking prompt, Delta seemingly had me all set. I was happy.

Around 8:20 last evening, right on time, we pulled out from the gate. But 10 minutes later, and over the course of the next 2.5 hours, the following announcements aired from the cockpit to passengers:

• 8:30 p.m.: Sorry, folks. This is your captain -- we need to return to the gate to pick up a pilot supposed to ride to Amsterdam to bring back a different plane [???WTF???]
• 9:15 p.m.: OK, our guest passenger pilots (now plural) are now on board (from my seat, no one boarded the plane).  We'll be on our way shortly. (We pushed back from the gate again)
• 9:40 p.m. (after idling by the runway): Sorry, folks. We have a mechanical issue and have to return to the gate
• 10:15 p.m.: We should be ready to go shortly. (Delta app affirms, but states new takeoff at 11:15)
• 10:45 p.m.: Sorry again, folks. But because I flew earlier today, my time to pilot this flight has closed. So, we're now awaiting a new pilot. They also updated the mechanical issue, still being addressed 
• 11:15 p.m.: Sorry again, this flight has been cancelled

Sparing you, dear reader, the customer service counter and app-infused rigmarole, fortunately, by midnight I was rebooked for a new flight today, which boards in about 20 minutes. And more good news, my checked bag with 24 days of laundry is also rebooked for the new flight. Though a free hotel room offer, meal vouchers and eventual reimbursement for another round of local Ubers and taxis, I'll have to duke it out with travel insurance reps for other cancellation and delay expenses. 

Though it was disappointing to lose a potential extra day in Milan, I am relieved that even with snow flurries out the window, the wintry mix does not seem to be sticking, so we may actually take off today. Fingers crossed. Happy again with a dose of anxious.

Now, about that 2026 Livery ceremony: Delta unveiled the aircraft and their sponsorship roster of Team USA brand rep athletes at the 100 Days to Games milestone in October. The A350 is a gorgeous flying machine inside and out, with several accoutrements that are new, such as fresh color schemes and new whiz-bang tech for the front-of-plane VIP seating. On the media tour, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution's airline reporter captured some of the details in her report. 

Employees at the ceremony and I enjoyed remarks from Paralympic Champion Amy Purdy (see photos). I'll add a video of our conversation soon. Gotta board!

Photos by Nicholas Wolaver. Logo via Delta.