I’ve been thinking about what to do on New Year’s eve and today I got the idea to check whether flights to Havana were reasonably priced. I have been to Cuba already, but now with the U.S.-Cuban thaw and direct flights being reinstated, I thought I’d give it a try and see what kind of prices we’re looking at.
Living in the metro Atlanta area, the most obvious choice would be Delta Airlines that, according to news reports, had opened a direct flight from ATL to Havana. And that task proved to be much more time consuming and idiotic than I had anticipated.
First, I tried to check the flights on the Fly Delta app on the phone. Nope. “SORRY… Something went wrong.” All right, maybe the servers were having a bad day.
Later in the night, I went to delta.com and tried to search flights on my desired dates. Unfortunately, though, the only flights that popped up were via Miami, with an eight to nine-hour layover.
So what does a modern consumer do when something doesn’t make sense? He goes on Twitter and asks the company what’s happening.
Hey @Delta, have you already launched daily flights from ATL to HAV? When I search on your website, it only gives me flights via MIA.
— Sten Hankewitz (@stenhankewitz) December 15, 2016
Like a modern company, Delta replied almost immediately.
@stenhankewitz Thre is a special department that handles Cuba and they can be reached at 800 241 4141 and tell the international… 1/2
— Delta (@Delta) December 15, 2016
@stenhankewitz …agent top transfer you to the Cuba travel department. Thank you *RO 2/2
— Delta (@Delta) December 15, 2016
Wait, what? I have to call somewhere? No, in the 21st century, that won’t do.
@Delta That’s not the question I asked, though.
— Sten Hankewitz (@stenhankewitz) December 15, 2016
Again, a very quick reply followed.
@stenhankewitz Pls call the number I gave for more information. It is not on or website so you will not find it there. Thank you. *RO
— Delta (@Delta) December 15, 2016
No, I am not calling anywhere.
@Delta That’s okay. Since giving me a straight answer here is so damn hard, I’ll just fly @AmericanAir out of CLT.
— Sten Hankewitz (@stenhankewitz) December 15, 2016
Seriously.
But then, they resorted to bullshitting tactics.
@stenhankewitz You will not be able to book to HAV online. Only with a phone agent at 800 241 4141. My apologies if this is not… 1/2
— Delta (@Delta) December 15, 2016
@stenhankewitz …clear. It is due to a new route and Government regulations. Have a great day! 🙂 *RO 2/2
— Delta (@Delta) December 15, 2016
Say what? “Government regulations”? Jebus wept.
@Delta No, it is not clear. If I can book ATL-MIA-HAV online, then how come “government regulations” bar me from booking ATL-HAV direct?
— Sten Hankewitz (@stenhankewitz) December 15, 2016
That one is still waiting for a reply.
Meanwhile, American Airlines tweeted this:
@stenhankewitz We’d love to fly you to #AAmazing destinations any time!
— American Airlines (@AmericanAir) December 15, 2016
Let’s also bear in mind that American apparently doesn’t have the same “government regulations” Delta has, as they would gladly let me book a flight to Havana online. From Charlotte, NC, though, which is ways away, but hey, customer service, that’s the very image of a company.
Of course, I will not be flying to Havana for New Year’s. Because the return ticket costs about $1,000. Which is insane, even for the holiday season. I mean, Havana is a two-and-a-half-hour flight, and a thousand bucks? Dream on.
But at least I now know which airline to prefer in the future for flying anywhere.
(Also, notice the typos the Delta Twitter representative made throughout their tweets!)
