Not everything seems to be rainbows and unicorns for the Paris Olympics. While the quadrennial event is hogging all the attention from the sporting community, unprecedented challenges are rising on other fronts. As Team USA gears up to retain its dominance in the biggest sporting tournament of the year, some of the country’s corporations are looking for ways to mitigate an unlikely headache.

You’d think the French capital would be the center of the world, at the moment, with people from all five continents trying to reach the destination to witness history. However, American airline companies don’t share the same enthusiasm!

Paris Olympics presents unforeseen circumstances

In a post on X from July 17 by Barstool Sports’ Braden Keith, the troubles of Delta Airlines have come to the fore. “Delta Airlines says that lack of travel to Paris during the period of the Olympic Games is going to cost them $100 million,” reads the post caption. From what it looks, American tourists are avoiding the crowds, expecting to take over Paris for the coming weeks by keeping out of the City of Love altogether.

According to an article from earlier this month by Simply Flying, Delta’s CEO Ed Bastian revealed that tourism is likely to take a major slump because of the Olympics, which will result in a significant loss for the company.

“Unless you’re going to the Olympics, people aren’t going to Paris … very few are. Business travel, you know [remains strong], [but] other type of tourism is potentially going elsewhere,” Bastian was quoted saying in the report.

Air France-KLM, a partner of Delta, confirmed that the airline will likely incur a loss of almost $195 million. Most of the 15 million visitors expected to land in Paris for the Games are Americans. Yet Delta still can’t see revenue numbers as they’d like. The 1,654 flights that will run between the USA and France during the Olympics might not have full booking and it seems to be irking many Olympic enthusiasts to no end because of the ranging issues they are facing.

Fans quickly voiced their concerns!

Traveling fans bewildered by the disorganization

WDSU Sports’ Fletcher Mackel’s luggage is still trailing behind while he has already arrived in Paris to cover the Games. Justifiably, this is a situation that no one should face, especially in a country across the pond. Earlier today, Mackel noted that his baggage seemed stuck at New Orleans Airport, only to update later that the situation hadn’t changed. “I’m not sure my luggage needs a 2-3 day vacation in the “baggage claim 2” area at @flyneworleans,” wrote an evidently frustrated Fletcher who urged Delta to show its worth at a time of need.

Patty, on the other hand, is channeling all her good vibes into hoping she doesn’t have to face a similar situation. “In 15 days I fly to Paris.. lord help me get there..@Delta I can’t miss the Olympic marathon,” petitioned the long-distance sprint fan. With the country’s top Marathoners including Fiona O’Keeffe and Conner Mantz, looking to haul gold at the Games, Patty’s anxiety isn’t misplaced.

The conditions are so grave that even WNBA sensation Angel Reese can’t escape the turmoil. Reese’s bags have also been lost in transit and a fan is having a quivering heart just thinking about things can go sideways for them just as easily. “Oh my goodness I leave for Paris tomorrow. Let me pray over my bags. We’ll see y’all in Paris,” wrote the nervous fan as they tagged Chicago Sky star to find them out in Paris.

“Stuck in New York for a whole day and night and my flight to Paris cancelled after all that. Please help me rebook without waiting another whole day on the phone to speak to Customer care for my refund,” vented a post by Track Spice from earlier today. With Track Spice being one of the key covering organizations for the track events in the French capital, the ordeal is enraging and requires immediate attention from the airlines.

“You’re going to GIVE ME A REFUND!” fumes Mario in his post after being on hold over the phone for two hours. “You guys cancelled my flight and now you’re telling me I have to downgrade my seating on a rebooked flight and you aren’t going to give me a refund,” the fan’s situation was explained in a previous post.

Are you also planning to fly to Paris for the greatest sporting event on the planet? How has your experience been so far? Tell us in the comments!