Delta Air Lines is cutting off special treatment at airports for members of Congress

Delta jet taking off.
A Delta airplane sets off from the Hartsfield-Jackson International South terminal on June 4, 2023. (Matthew Pearson/WABE)

Atlanta-based Delta Air Lines announced that members of Congress will not receive specialty services, such as airport escorts and red coat services, while TSA employees continue to work without pay.

A company spokesperson confirmed in an email that members of Congress will be treated like any other passenger based on their SkyMiles status.

“Due to the impact on resources from the longstanding government shutdown, Delta will temporarily suspend specialty services to Congress flying Delta,” said a spokesperson. “Next to safety, Delta’s no. 1 priority is taking care of our people and customers, which has become increasingly difficult in the current environment.”

Kyle Townsend, a professor in the Hospitality department at Georgia State University, said airlines are losing money left and right for two reasons right now as the partial government shutdown continues.