A Delta spokeswoman said the airline was "aware of this incident and takes this matter very seriously."

"We take it seriously," said Catherine Stengel, a Delta spokeswoman.

Peggy Estes, a Delta spokeswoman, described the process as a normal one for the company.

"We're just happy that the dog has been returned," Kimberly King, a Delta spokeswoman, said.

"We certainly appreciate any movement in the right direction," a Delta spokeswoman said.

"When you're talking about fuel at $72 a barrel, that's a cost," said Chris Kelly, a Delta spokeswoman.

Asked to comment, Kay Horner, a Delta spokeswoman, said her line had a policy of saying nothing about the suit, even if it was settled.

Jackie Pate, a Delta spokeswoman, said her carrier expected to add shuttle flights if its competitor shut down.

A Delta spokeswoman said yesterday that the airline planned to present its official restructuring plan toward the end of next month.

"We're not walking away from it," said Benét Wilson, a Delta spokeswoman.