Delta Suspends Special Services for Congress Members Amid Shutdown

Airline cites impact on resources from prolonged government closure.

Mar. 25, 2026 at 2:34am

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Delta Air Lines has announced it will temporarily suspend specialty services typically offered to members of Congress who fly with the airline. The decision comes amid the ongoing partial U.S. government shutdown, which the airline says has impacted its resources. Members of Congress will now be treated like other Delta passengers based on their SkyMiles status.

Why it matters

The suspension of these special services for members of Congress highlights the broader impact of the government shutdown, which has caused significant disruptions at airports across the country as the Department of Homeland Security remains partially closed. The move also reflects growing frustration in the private sector with the political impasse.

The details

Delta confirmed the changes on Tuesday, stating that 'due to the impact on resources from the longstanding government shutdown, Delta will temporarily suspend specialty services to members of Congress flying Delta.' These specialty services previously included airport escorts and other 'red coat' services. The news comes a week after Delta's CEO Ed Bastian said he was 'outraged' by the shutdown and joined other aviation leaders in urging Congress to pay federal aviation workers during shutdowns.

  • Delta announced the suspension of services on March 25, 2026.

The players

Delta Air Lines

A major U.S. airline that has decided to temporarily suspend specialty services for members of Congress amid the ongoing government shutdown.

Ed Bastian

The CEO of Delta Air Lines, who recently expressed outrage over the government shutdown and joined other aviation leaders in calling for Congress to pay federal aviation workers during shutdowns.

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What they’re saying

“Due to the impact on resources from the longstanding government shutdown, Delta will temporarily suspend specialty services to members of Congress flying Delta.”

— Delta Air Lines

“That is simply unacceptable. It's difficult, if not impossible, to put food on the table, put gas in the car and pay rent when you are not getting paid.”

— Ed Bastian, CEO, Delta Air Lines

What’s next

It remains to be seen how long Delta will maintain this suspension of specialty services for members of Congress, as the government shutdown continues with no clear end in sight.

The takeaway

Delta's decision to suspend these special privileges for lawmakers underscores the growing frustration in the private sector with the political impasse in Washington and the real-world impacts of the government shutdown, which is causing significant disruptions at airports and other industries.