At Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport in Atlanta, Roger Eldredge, a Delta gate agent, sought to deflect blame in explaining to passengers that Flight 486 to La Guardia would be leaving at 4:20 p.m. rather than 3:40 p.m.

FORBES: Flights Delayed Amid Furloughs Of Air Controllers

The agent told me that Delta had a special deal with Hotels.com, which is owned by Expedia, and that at the same time that I purchase my ticket she could transfer me on a direct line to a special desk at the Hotels.com reservation system and that I would receive a 25% discount.

FORBES: The Delta Air Lines Hotels.com Deal Is No Deal

The boy's mother, Jessica Bennett, 33, of Minnesota told the FBI that she and her son were seated in row 28, seat B, on February 8 on Delta Flight 721 that originated in Minneapolis, according to an FBI agent's affidavit filed in U.S. District Court in Atlanta this week.

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