- Delta Air Lines pilots said they are flying overtime and on their days off amid chaos in the industry.
- They said in a letter to flyers that they agree that flight delays and cancellations are "unacceptable."
- They said Delta need to work so customers do not "lose confidence" in the airline.
Pilots with Delta Air Lines said they were "flying a record amount of overtime" amid the airline industry's struggle with delays, staff shortages, and cancellations.
Pilots wrote an open letter to customers on Thursday, where they said they were just as frustrated as passengers by disruption in the industry.
"We are disheartened when we witness the impact of your disrupted travel plans," they said.
It asked customers to remember that the pilots prioritize safety, and that "we have been working on our days off, flying a record amount of overtime to help you get to your destination."
"At the current rate, by this fall, our pilots will have flown more overtime in 2022 than in the entirety of 2018 and 2019 combined, our busiest years to date.
"We empathize and share in your frustration over the delays, cancellations, and disrupted travel plans you've experienced. We agree; it is unacceptable."
The pilots also said Delta leaders need to work harder so customers do not "lose confidence" in the airline.
"As we welcome you aboard, we will continue to go above and beyond to ensure the integrity of the operation. Delta's management needs to do the same before you lose confidence in the Delta brand."
Insider has contacted Delta for comment about the letter.
The US has seen a heavy volume of flight delays and cancellations this year, and many airlines are understaffed.
Delta recently announced that it was cancelling around 100 daily departures in the US and Latin America, in a move similar to other airlines.