A Delta Air Lines Boeing 757-200 flies past the Capitol dome in Washington as it lands at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, November 9, 2025.
Bill Clark | Cq-roll Call, Inc. | Getty Images
No blessings from heaven for you!
Delta Airlines has suspended its airport escort and red coat services for members of Congress and their staff due to the ongoing partial shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security, the air carrier announced Tuesday.
The move comes a week after Delta CEO Ed Bastian blasted Congress in an interview with CNBC’s “Squawk Box” for not authorizing pay for Transportation Security Administration officers during the shutdown of the agency that includes the TSA.
“Due to the resource impact of the extended government shutdown, Delta will temporarily suspend specialty services for Members of Congress flying with Delta,” Delta said in a statement to CNBC.
“Besides safety, Delta’s No. 1 priority is taking care of our people and customers, which has become increasingly difficult in today’s environment,” the airline said.
Delta’s action was first reported by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Delta’s Capital Desk, which is a reservation line for members of Congress and staff, remains open.
But for now, these customers will be treated like any other passenger based on their respective Sky Miles status.
The move comes as airports across the United States, including major hubs in cities like Atlanta, where Delta is based, face very long security lines due to high absences from TSA officers, who are on track to miss their second full paycheck this week.
Bastian told CNBC last week that it was “inexcusable that our security guards, our front-line officers, who are essential to what we do, are not getting paid. And it’s ridiculous to see them used as political bargaining chips.
“So we are outraged,” Bastian said.
“And if there’s a call to action here – and I think over 90% of the American public supports getting people paid – get our people right here in Washington to do their jobs, get them paid. They can do it,” the CEO said.
United Airlineswhen asked by CNBC if it had suspended its similar benefits for members of Congress, said: “We have no changes to announce today.”
CNBC has requested comment from American airlines on his services for federal legislators.
Airline executives have criticized lawmakers in recent months, urging them to ensure essential government workers, like TSA agents, are paid during shutdowns, which have become increasingly common.
Repeated funding impasses, including in early 2019 and as recently as last fall, ended shortly after absences of civil servants forced to work without pay increased.