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Delta In-Flight Meal/Food Service: The Definitive Thread — 2017 Edition

Old Jan 4, 2017, 12:22 pm
FlyerTalk Forums Expert How-Tos and Guides
Last edit by: audidudi
DELTA IN-FLIGHT MEAL AND FOOD SERVICES WIKI
Here is the DL.com link with food/beverage information.
Click here for the 2016 version of this thread.

TABLE OF CONTENTS: (Now with anchors!)
  1. Beverages
  2. Delta One – Intercontinental Flights
  3. Transcon Delta One
  4. Comfort+ - Transcontinental Flights
  5. First Class – Domestic Flights
  6. Economy Class – Intercontinental Flights
  7. Economy Class – Domestic Flights
  8. Special Meals – All Cabins
1. Beverages:

The following are complimentary in all cabins
Soft drinks: Coca-Cola, Coca-Cola Zero, Diet Coke, Fresca, Sprite, KUAT (flights to/from Brazil only).
Mixers: Mr. & Mrs. "T" Bloody Mary Mix, Seagram's Ginger Ale, Seagram's Sparkling Seltzer Water, Seagram's Tonic Water
Juices and Bottled Water: Minute Maid Apple Juice, Minute Maid Cranberry Apple Cocktail, Minute Maid Orange Juice, tomato juice, bottled water, LaCroix Sparkling Water (on some international flights), San Pellegrino Sparkling Mineral Water (D1 only), Glacéau Smartwater (D1 only), Milk
Hot Drinks: Starbucks coffee, Starbucks VIA decaffeinated instant coffee, Bigelow Tea, Harney & Sons Tea (D1 only)

The following are complimentary in D1/FC/C+ and INTL Y where meal is served. Charge for Y varies.
Beer $6 in Y on domestic/short-haul INTL flights: Heineken, Miller Lite, Samuel Adams Boston Lager, and Blue Moon are available on most US flights. Beyond this, beers vary widely by region: Sweetwater 420 (ATL-DCA/FLL/IAD/LGA/MCO/MIA/MSY/TPA, also on JFK-LAX per Flight Fuel menu), Sierra Nevada Pale Ale, Lagunitas IPA (LAX-SFO only), Stella Artois, Ballast Point, Brooklyn Brewery (Transcon markets only)
Wines: $8 in Y on domestic/short-haul INTL flights:
Economy: red or white available. No sparkling. Typically Wente Vineyards California cabernet and chardonnay or similar.
Only on flights JFK-LAX/SFO in the economy cabin: Delta Winemaker Series, "A unique offering of half bottle (375 ML) California Wines selected by Delta’s Master Sommelier, Andrea Robinson." ($14.99)
Domestic First: Wente Vineyards Cabernet or Chardonnay
Business Class: (US-Canada/Mexico/Caribbean) Domestic first service + Sparkling Wine offered pre-departure (and pre-departure only if allowed per customs policies).
Delta One Fine Wines– selected by Master Sommelier Andrea Robinson
NOTE: Changes are frequent and may not match what is listed on delta.com, or even on the printed onboard menu.
Expect the following:
  • Two whites, one “Light Bodied” and one “Medium Bodied”
  • Two reds, one “Medium Bodied” and one “Full Bodied”
  • Port and possibly one additional dessert wine
  • Champagne
Delta.com link to “current” wine list
Spirits $8 in Y on domestic/short-haul INTL flights: Avión Tequila, Bacardi Rum, Bailey’s Irish Cream Cordial, Bombay Sapphire Dry Gin, Canadian Club Reserve Whisky, Dewar’s Scotch, Finlandia Vodka, Grey Goose Vodka (D1 only), Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whiskey, Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Honey Whiskey, Jack Daniel's Single Barrel Whiskey (D1 only), Woodford Reserve Small Batch Bourbon
Mixed Drinks (aka “Featured Beverages”) $8 in Y on domestic/short-haul INTL flights:
Blue Diamond - featuring Bombay Sapphire Dry Gin, Seagram's Tonic Water, and a splash of apple juice
Margarita - Featuring Avión Tequila and Stirrings Margarita.
Mai Tai - A Hawaiian favorite, Bacardi® Select Rum infused with exotic fruit flavors. (Hawaii Flight Fuel only)*unknown if this is still offered as DL no longer shows a Hawaii Flight Fuel menu

2. DELTA ONE - INTERCONTINENTAL FLIGHTS
Note: See Transcon Delta One (Section 3) for flights such as JFK-LAX featuring D1 service, or see domestic first/business class service (Section 5) for other flights.
The meals that you will see on Delta One will vary by destination and origin.

Delta One International Meals feature the following Chefs:
Transpacific Flights: Chef Masatoshi Ishimoto
Atlanta-Europe Flights: Chef Linton Hopkins
JFK-Select Europe: Winter 2017 chef/meals TBA
Asian meals may be pre-ordered in D1 on flights to/from Japan, China and Korea, using the normal Special Meals request process. See Transpacific Flights and the Special Meals section below. Pre-ordering recommended to guarantee availability.

This is the typical order of D1 service but can vary based on route/destination (note this does not apply to transcons):
-Cold appetizer (only one option)
-Soup and salad with choice of dressing, along with bread and butter (one option for soup or salad, but for bread there are usually three options to choose from)
-Main entrée: Beef, Chicken, Seafood, Pasta, Cold Plate, Regional Dish (typically four options)
-Dessert: Ice Cream with choice of toppings, Cheese Plate, or other sweets such as pie
-Self-service snack basket in galley, or Mid-flight light meal (Ultra-long haul only): Western and Asian cold plates. On TATL westbound flights there may be a warm chocolate chip cookie service.
-Pre-Arrival Breakfast: (eastbound flights) Egg dish with meat or Granola cereal with milk, if it is a PM arrival it will feature something like a sandwich or pizza with a hot breakfast option like an egg dish.
-Pre-Arrival Lunch: (westbound flights) Hot sandwich or cold salad

LINKS to current D1 intercontinental menu/meal posts:
Please add your links to your posts to the list below. Note: This section features only current menus, click on this link to see an archive of older D1 menus.

DTW-NRT 10/2017
ATL-DUS 10/2017 (same menu for all ATL-Germany flights)
DTW-NRT 10/2017

ADDITIONAL region-specific Delta One meal details:
TRANSPACIFIC FLIGHTS - CHEF MASATOSHI ISHIMOTO
Flights to/from Japan-USA
• “Kaiseki” style Japanese meals are offered as an option to customers in the D1 cabin
• Customers flying in the D1 cabin to/from Japan may pre-order a Japanese meal up to 24 hours prior to scheduled flight departure through My Trips or by calling DL Reservations. Once you check in, let the gate agent and a flight attendant know that you ordered a special meal.
• Entrées with a Japanese flair are offered as an option to customers in the Economy cabin
• All customers can choose from a selection of Japanese beverages including Asahi, Suntory Premium Malt, Kirin Ichiban, and Sake
FLIGHTS TO/FROM JAPAN-HONOLULU
• Menu selections for the D1 cabin and Economy cabin feature meals with both Japanese and Hawaiian flavors
• All customers can choose from a selection of Japanese beverages including; Asahi, Suntory Premium Malt and Kirin Ichiban beers, Sake and a choice of Hawaiian juices
FLIGHTS TO/FROM KOREA-USA
DTW-ICN Korean meals are catered by local Korean restaurant Bi Bim Bab in Novi.
• Korean meals and beverages are available as an option to all customers, including OB beer
FLIGHTS TO/FROM CHINA-USA
• Chinese Meals and Beverages are available as an option to all customers, including Tsingtao beer
INTER-ASIA FLIGHTS
• All flights flying within Delta’s Intra-Asia markets feature menu options with both western and regional flavors in all cabins

3. TRANSCON DELTA ONE
This is a signature service for select transcon flights. It includes a three course meal, except on red-eye flights which have a lighter one course offering. Flights departing from JFK feature meals from Union Square Hospitality Group's restaurants in NYC. Soon flights departing from LAX will feature meals from local chefs Jon Shook and Vinny Dotolo, see DL article here. Note: there is no special chef menu for flights departing from SFO, BOS, or DCA. See press release on newest D1 routes and enhancements here.

D1 Transcon service is offered on all flights on the following routes:
JFK-LAX/SFO, BOS-SFO, DCA-LAX, and ATL/MSP-HNL

D1 Transcon service is offered on some (not all) flights on the following routes effective April 1, 2018 (see exception below)
JFK-SAN (1 of 3 flights), SEA (2 of 4 flights), and LAS beginning on May 1, 2018 (1 of 5 flights)
BOS-LAX (2 of 3 flights)

Service is usually the following:
Breakfast flights
-Two starters (both given)
-Main course (three choices)
-Chocolate Chip Cookie

Lunch/Dinner flights
-Starter, soup and salad
-Main course (three choices)
-Dessert (two choices)
-Chocolate Chip/Mint Cookie


LINKS to recent Transcon D1 menu/meal posts:
Please add your links to your posts to the list below. Note: This section features only current menus, click on this link to see an archive of older D1 menus.

Breakfast

Lunch/Dinner
JFK-SFO 10/2017
JFK-LAX 10/2017
DCA-LAX 10/2017
LAX-JFK 10/2017
JFK-SFO 11/2017

4. MEALS IN DOMESTIC FIRST CLASS (WITHIN THE US) OR IN BUSINESS CLASS (TO CANADA/MEXICO/CARRIBEAN, ETC.)
First Class meal service is provided on all flights 900 miles or greater. "Business Class" is the same service as domestic first but for trans-border North American flights that do not offer D1 service, usually found on routes between the USA and Caribbean, Canada, Mexico, and Central America. One differentiation for Business Class flights is that sparkling wine is offered pre-departure as with all Delta international flights.
Please note:
-The content in this section doesn't apply to transoceanic or transcon D1 flights
-There are a few flights under 900 miles where DL does provide First Class meal service because other airlines offer meal service on the same route. See the list below.
-West Coast flights between LAX-SFO are served LUVO light snack trays (with items such as carrots, hummus and crackers, etc). These flights also offer free beer (including a local selection) and wine in the coach cabin.

Routes that are known exceptions to the 900-mile minimum:
- ATL-EWR/LGA/JFK
- LGA/JFK-ORD
- SEA-SFO/SMF/SJC

Meal service is determined by distance flown and time of departure:
0-250 miles: Only Biscoff cookies, peanuts, and pretzels
251-899 miles: Full snack basket is offered
900-1399 miles: Meals are served for flights departing 5am-1:30pm and 4pm to 8pm. This can vary slightly by flight, so it is best to check the reservation notes on delta.com. At other times a snack basket is passed around the cabin (see above).
1400+ miles: Full meal service will be offered between 5am-8pm. Breakfast is served for flights departing up to 9:45AM, and full lunch/dinner service after that.

Examples of snacks offered:
Morning flights (departures 05:00-09:45) offer peanuts, pretzels, Biscoff cookies, biscotti, bananas, Otis Spunkmeyer muffins and Quaker Oats chewy granola bars.
Afternoon/evening: peanuts, pretzels, apples, Twix, Toblerone, Sun Chips and Walkers shortbread cookies.

NOTE: For flights departing between 8pm and 9pm a light meal service, referred to as "snack" on delta.com, will be offered. This is often a source of confusion because delta.com lists full meal service for 1400+ mile flights as going until 9pm, but the reservation online will list "snack" and not "dinner." Also, there have been recent reports of longer redeye flights being served a pre-arrival breakfast, but there is not great information available about this. If your flight lists "snack" instead of "none" for meal service, this is a good sign that you will have some food service. If departure is after 9pm and before 5am, it will probably be a pre-arrival breakfast. See sample menu below.

SAMPLE MENUS
The meals you may see listed here are general examples and your flight may not have the option(s) listed here. These are solely from the words of fellow FTers (and please remember the times are based upon the flight's departure time):

Note: If you are flying a DL Connection flight, most meal service is cold as the majority of these planes are not equipped with ovens. There are reports that certain CRJ-900's are equipped with "warmers" but there is no way to know this in advance.

All domestic first class meals are served on Delta signature dishes with real flatware, glasses, etc.

Breakfast (5:45am-9:45am) There is generally a hot and cold option offered. Hot option usually has an entrée, side dish, bread (bagel/muffin/etc), and fruit. The cold option is generally a cereal with yogurt, bread item, and fruit. See the sample menus below for a better idea on what to expect.
Lunch (9:46am-3:59pm): Typically served with fresh fruit (or another side). This is typically a lighter meal. See the sample menus below for a better idea on what to expect. NOTE: No meal service on flights departing 1:30pm-3:59pm for flights under 1400 miles.
Dinner (4pm-8pm): All meals are typically served with bread, salad, and a dessert item such as a cookie. See the sample menus below for a better idea on what to expect.
1400+ mile flights departing 8pm-9pm: Typically there is only one option offered such as a hot sandwich served with chips and a cookie. Full snack basket will also be offered.
Hawaii Routes: for West Coast departures (LAX/SLC/SFO/SEA/PDX) it is just like domestic F service in both directions. For ATL/MSP-HNL see Transcon D1.

Sample Menus from First Class menu/meal posts (within last year):
Please add links to your posts to the list below

Breakfast:
EWR-MSP 12/2016 - other menus included
LGA-MSP 12/2016
MSP-LAX 12/2016
SFO-ATL 12/2016
LAX-ATL 1/2017 - Low Salt meal
MSP-TPA 1/2017
DTW-DFW 2/2017 - reverse route lunch included
MSP-CUN 2/2017
LGA-MSP 2/2017
BWI-MSP 3/2017 and others
MIA-DCA 3/2017
ANC-SEA/SFO-SEA 3/2017 and others
BOS-ATL 4/2017
JFK-PBI 4/2017
YUL-ATL 4/2017
SFO-SEA 4/2017 and others
AUS-JFK 5/2017 and reverse dinner
LAX-MSP 5/2017
JFK-CUN 5/2017 and reverse lunch
MSP-MSY 5/2017
MSP-DCA 8/2017
JNU-SEA 8/2017
PDX-ATL 8/2017
MCO-DTW 8/2017
BOS-ATL 8/2017
BNA-SEA 8/2017
DTW-CUN 8/2017
SEA-LAX-ATL 8/2017
PTY-ATL 9/2017
MCO-BOS 9/2017
YVR-LAX 9/2017
BOS-SLC 9/2017 "low sodium"
LGA-ATL 10/2017
LGA-FLL 10/2017
MKE-SEA 10/2017
ALB-MSP 10/2017
ABQ-ATL 10/2017
JFK-LAS 10/2017
DTW-LAX 10/2017
MSP-BOS 11/2017
LGA-ATL 11/2017
JFK-LAS 11/2017
MSP-BOS 11/2017
LAX-HNL 11/2017 VGML

Lunch:
SEA-HNL 12/2016 - Gluten Free
HNL-SEA 12/2016 - Gluten Free
MSP-PVR 12/2016 - middle part of this post/other menus included
NAS-JFK 12/2016 - other menu included
SFO-ATL 12/2016
SAN-MSP 12/2016 - regular and kids meal in this post
MCO-MSP 1/2017
TPA-JFK 1/2017 - other meal post included
DFW-JFK 1/2017
STT-ATL 1/2017
RDU-MSP 1/2017
ATL-SFO 1/2017
DFW-DTW 2/2017 - reverse route breakfast included
CUN-DTW 2/2017
DFW-JFK 3/2017 and reverse route dinner
MSP-SEA 3/2017 and others
MSP-SEA 3/2017
LGA-ATL 3/2017
SEA-SFO/SEA-ANC 3/2017 and others
LGA-MSP 4/2017
SFO-MSP 4/2017
ANC-SEA 4/2017 and reverse dinner
MSP-EWR 4/2017 low fat/low cal
ATL-SEA 4/2017
SEA-ATL 4/2017
SEA-ANC 4/2017 and others
SAT-MSP 4/2017
LAX-PVR 4/2017
CUN-JFK 5/2017 and reverse breakfast
MSP-SFO 5/2017
STL-SLC 5/2017
SEA-BOS 5/2017 low sodium meal
MSP-LAX 5/2017
MSP-LAX 6/2017
IAH-DTW 7/2017
SAN-MSP 7/2017
ATL-ELP 7/2017
ELP-ATL 7/2017
EWR-ATL 7/2017
DTW-SFO 7/2017
DFW-DTW 7/2017
MIA-LGA 8/2017
ATL-SJC 8/2017
SEA-ORD 8/2017
SXM-ATL 8/2017
SFO-ATL 8/2017
MIA-LGA 8/2017
SEA-SFO 8/2017
MSP-DCA 8/2017
ATL-SFO 9/2017
LAX-HNL 9/2017
SLC-RDU 9/2017
SAN-SEA 9/2017
JFK-SEA 9/2017
ATL-SLC 10/2017
MCO-MSP 10/2017
SFO-CVG 10/2017
SAT-DTW 10/2017
SEA-JFK 10/2017
LAX-DTW 10/2017
JFK-ORD 10/2017
IAD-MSP 10/2017
SNA-MSP 10/2017
MCO-LGA 10/2017
SLC-MCI 10/2017
SNA-ATL 10/2017
MCO-BOS 10/2017
MSP-DCA 10/2017
ATL-ABQ 10/2017
SMF-ATL 11/2017
HNL-LAX 11/2017 VGML

Dinner:
SEA-SJC 12/2016
PVR-SLC 12/2016 - bottom of this post/other menus included
JFK-SLC 12/2016 - bottom of this post/other menu included
MSP-RDU 12/2016
RDU-MSP 12/2016
DTW-SFO 12/2016
DTW-DEN 12/2016
DTW-SFO 1/2017 - Snack/8:11pm departure
LGA-TPA 1/2017 - bottom half of this post
ATL-SNA 1/2017 - Bland Meal
SLC-DFW 1/2017
SAT-DTW 2/2017
JFK-DFW 3/2017 and reverse route lunch
SEA-SFO 3/2017 (two times) and others
SEA-ANC 4/2017 and reverse lunch
PBI-JFK 4/2017
DTW-LAS 4/2017
ATL-MSP 5/2017
JFK-AUS 5/2017 and reverse breakfast
ATL-SFO 5/2017
DTW-DFW 5/2017
SEA-ATL 5/2017
JFK-DFW 6/2017
MSP-SFO 7/2017
DTW-LAX 7/2017
MSP-SFO 7/2017
JFK-DFW 7/2017
TPA-DTW 7/2017
MSP-BWI 7/2017
DCA-MSP 8/2017
MSP-LGA 8/2017
ATL-BOS 8/2017
JFK-LAS 8/2017
JFK-SEA 8/2017
BWI-MSP 8/2017
HNL-LAX 8/2017
LAX-SEA 9/2017
DTW-SFO 9/2017
DTW-PHX 9/2017
SEA-SAN 9/2017
MCO-SLC 9/2017
ATL-SNA 9/2017
MSP-MIA 10/2017 Special Meal - AVML
RDU-SLC 10/2017 - Special Meal - AVML
MSP-DCA 10/2017 and picture
ORD-LGA 10/2017
JFK-ORD 10/2017
JFK-LAS 10/2017
BOS-MCO 10/2017
ATL-PHX 10/2017
YYZ-ATL 10/2017
LAX-KOA 10/2017
JFK-MSY 11/2017

JFK/MSP/ATL-HNL
ATL-HNL 9/2016
HNL-MSP 3/2017
HNL-JFK 3/2017 - Hindu Meal
MSP-HNL 4/2017
HNL-MSP 5/2017

Other D1-lite routes (e.g. JFK-MEX, ATL-MDE)
Breakfast:
JFK-MEX 10/2016
BOG-ATL 2/2017 and reverse route dinner

Lunch/Dinner:
MEX-JFK 10/2016
ATL-BOG 2/2017 and reverse route breakfast
CUN-JFK 5/2017
ATL-CTG 7/2017
CTG-ATL 7/2017
ATL-MEX 8/2017
MEX-JFK 9/2017

5. MEALS ON INTERNATIONAL/HAWAII FLIGHTS - Main Cabin and Comfort +
All JFK/ATL/MSP-HNL flights along with TATL, TPAC, and most South American destinations include complimentary meals in the economy cabin. Other than select Transcon Flights (see section 6), no free meals are offered in economy within the US/Canada/Mexico/Caribbean. A good rule of thumb is that if the flight offers D1 service (NOT "business class" or "first class") then there may probably complimentary meals in the economy cabin. Meal service details can be found in your reservation on delta.com or in the service details when booking the flight.

Breakfast:
Usually a packaged box with a sandwich, yogurt, bread item

Lunch/Dinner:
Typically options offered are:
1) A vegetarian pasta dish (such as ravioli)
2) A chicken dish (such as chicken & mushrooms with rice)
3) A salad with cold chicken (such as greek salad)

Meals are usually served with:
- A main side dish to go with the entrée
- A small bowl of salad
- Bread/roll with butter
- A dessert item

Additionally there will be a pre-arrival snack served:
-Morning arrivals: light breakfast (might include things like fruit, hot egg wrap, pastry, yogurt, etc.)
-Afternoon/evening arrivals: could be a packaged box with several snacks or a light meal (such as small turkey sandwich, small pizza, etc.)

On longer flights a mid-flight snack may be served such as ice cream or a light sandwich. A choice of Biscoff cookies, peanuts, yogurt bar, or pretzels is offered during beverage service.

On flights that offer complimentary economy class meal service, special meals may be ordered through delta.com or by calling customer service. See Section 7 for more information on special meals.

LINKS to recent international Main Cabin menu/meal posts:
Please add links to your posts to the list below

BOS-CDG 9/2016
DTW-PEK 10/2016
RDU-CDG 10/2016
JFK-DUB 12/2016
HNL-MSP 1/2017
JFK-CDG 3/2017
FCO-ATL 5/2017 in second part of this post
JFK-MXP 10/2017
JFK-SNN 10/2017 dinner and breakfast
DUB-JFK 10/2017
JFK-CDG 10/2017
JFK-ZRH 11/2017

6. DOMESTIC ECONOMY SNACKS, MEALS, AND FLIGHT FUEL MENUS
Service in economy depends on the length of the flight:
0-249 miles: No service except water/coffee by request when time permits, except certain routes (BOS-LGA for example).
250-899 miles: Complimentary snacks (see below)
900-1,399 miles: Complimentary snacks plus limited premium snacks for purchase from the Flight Fuel menu. C+ customers will get the C+ snack basket.
1,400+ miles Between 5am and 8pm, all of the Flight Fuel menu selections are available for purchase on US/Canada/Latin America/Caribbean flights in addition to complimentary snacks after takeoff and before arrival.

Domestic Main Cabin Complimentary Snacks:
-Biscoff Cookies
-Snyder's pretzels
The following are only available on flights over 600 miles:
-NatureBox apple cinnamon yogurt bars
-Squirrel brand honey roasted peanuts

Comfort+ Service: all drinks are complimentary, and on flights 900+ miles, a basket of premium complimentary snacks will be offered, with items such as chips, chocolate, crackers and other packaged snacks.

Flight Fuel Buy on Board Service: Delta's buy-on-board program is called "Flight Fuel" (formerly EATS). These menus change, so it is best to check Delta's website for the latest menu. Click here to see more on the food/drink page from delta.com and at the bottom on the left are the current Flight Fuel menus.

Note: certain items are offered only on eastbound or westbound flights, please review the menus carefully. Inventory is limited and not all options are always available.

Flight Fuel Menu current as of November 2017: https://www.delta.com/content/dam/de...uel_Nov_17.pdf

Transcon Economy Meals:
See Press Release Here

This service is currently being offered on the following routes:
JFK-LAX/SFO/PDX/SAN/SEA
BOS-LAX/SFO/SEA
SEA-FLL/MCO/RDU
DCA-LAX

Service will include three cold options, different menus are now featured on westbound and eastbound flights as of June 2017. See the DL update from June here.


This was the menu from March 2017 but this has changed.
-Breakfast: Departing 5am-8:59am

Honey Maple Breakfast Sandwich
Luvo Breakfast Wrap
Fruit and cheese plate


-Lunch/Dinner: Departing 9am-8pm

Mesquite-Smoked Turkey Combo,
Luvo Mediterranean Whole Grain Veggie Wrap
Fruit and cheese plate.


-Evening & Redeye Service:
Standard snack service after takeoff (pretzels, peanuts, etc)
Breakfast bar (served during the pre-arrival beverage service)

NOTE:
-Special meals may be ordered for this service
-Flight Fuel will no longer be offered on these routes.
-This will not impact FC/D1 meal service on these flights.
- Comfort+ Passengers on JFK-LAX/SFO will continue to receive mid-flight frozen greek yogurt bar on daytime flights.
- Comfort+ Passengers on these flights will continue to receive the enhanced snack basket.


Transcon Economy Meal Reports
DCA-LAX 8/2017
JFK-SFO 10/2017

7. SPECIAL MEALS:
Delta offers special meals for a variety of dietary restrictions on all flights in all cabins with complimentary meal service. Special meal service is not offered for domestic flights that only offer snack or refreshment service.
To know if Delta considers what you are being served a meal, check the "meal service" in your reservation or on the booking page while purchasing a ticket. It needs to read "breakfast", "lunch" or "dinner" for this to be a meal service that you can order a special meal for. If it reads "snack" or "refreshments" there will not be special meals available.
You can select special meals by viewing your reservation online or by calling Delta.

-Special meals are not available on flights departing ABQ, ELP, or TUS.
-Special meals are not available on Delta Connection flights.
-The same meal may be served across multiple categories (i.e. the same physical meal may be served for Bland/Diabetic/Low Fat/Low Sodium/Vegetarian).
-Please note that mistakes are widely reported. Confirm your meal request with a gate agent and flight attendant. Passengers with special dietary needs are strongly advised to bring their own snacks in case a catering error occurs.

Sample Special Meals
SAN-MSP Lunch Kids Meal 12/2016
SEA-HNL 12/2016 - Gluten Free
HNL-SEA 12/2016 - Gluten Free
DTW-NRT 1/2017 - JPML
NRT-DTW 1/2017 - JPML
ATL-SNA 1/2017 - Bland Meal
HNL-JFK 3/2017 - Hindu Meal
MSP-EWR 4/2017 - Low Fat/Low Cal
SEA-BOS 5/2017 Lunch - Low Sodium
LAX-JFK 7/2017 - Kosher meal
DTW-NRT and VV 7/2017 - features western meal to NRT and Japanese meal from NRT as a YouTube video
BOS-SLC 9/2017 "low sodium"
MSP-MIA 10/2017 Special Meal - AVML
RDU-SLC 10/2017 - Special Meal - AVML
LAX-HNL 11/2017 VGML breakfast
HNL-LAX 11/2017 VGML lunch

Meal descriptions are Delta's words. Your Meals May Vary.
• Asian Vegetarian Meal (code AVML) - This is a non‐strict vegetarian meal which is prepared in an Indian style and is usually spicy. No meat, seafood or egg is allowed. This meal may include dairy products.
• Baby Meal (code BBML) - Baby food usually boarded in portion jars. (May contain strained fruit, vegetables, meats, desserts, milk & juices.)
• Bland Meal (code BLML) - For those with digestive tract and stomach disorders. Excludes mustard, pickles, garlic, fried and fatty foods.
• Child Meal (code CHML) - Available for children from 2-12 years of age, and includes food offerings which appeal to children. The meals planned follow Recommended Dietary Allowances for children.
• Diabetic Meal (code DBML) - For those who need to manage blood sugar levels. Foods excluded are high in sugars. ( Avoid syrups, jams, cakes and chocolate, unless specifically designed for diabetics.)
• Gluten Free Meal (code GFML) - Foods excluded are wheat or wheat flour, barley oats and rye, bread, cakes (unless wheat free), pastry, sausages or any flour based products. (Allergy related)
• Hindu Meal (code HNML) - Spicy vegetarian combinations with limited use of dairy products. While our meals are meat‐free, some individuals with this diet consume meats of non‐beef/veal/pork origin.
• Japanese Meal (code JPML) - Traditional Multi Course Kaiseki Style Japanese Meal accompanied by steamed rice, miso soup, Japanese pickles and green tea. Available only to D1 customers flying between the USA/Hawaii-Japan.
• Kosher (code KSML) - Kosher meals are prepared by Kosher caterers under Rabbinical supervision and may also incorporate fresh fruit or sealed items, such as individually packaged bagels that meet Kosher laws. Special Kosher for Passover meals are supplied during Passover.
• Regal Kosher (code KSML) - Strict Kosher meals prepared by "Regal" kashrut supervision and may also incorporate fresh fruit or sealed items, such as individually packaged bagels that meet Kosher laws. Special Kosher for Passover meals are supplied during Passover. Only served on JFK-TLV, all cabins.
• Low Fat/Low Cholesterol/Low Calorie Meal (code LFML) - High fiber meal with reduced amounts of fat and sugar.
• Low Sodium Meal (code LSML) - Excludes use of salt, MSG and baking soda/powder, instead herbs and spices are used to flavor the meal.
• Muslim Meal (code MOML) - Does not contain pork, by‐products of pork or foodstuffs containing alcohol. All meats come from ritually slaughtered animals.
• Toddler Meal (code TDML) - Available for children who have begun consuming solid food who need little assistance from the parent, soft, easy‐to‐eat finger foods.
• Vegetarian (Vegan) Meal (code VGML) - Typically cooked in Western style, this meal does not contain meat, seafood, egg and dairy products.
• Vegetarian (Lacto-Ovo) Meal (code VLML) - Prepared in Western style, this is a non‐strict vegetarian meal which can include eggs and dairy products but eliminates all meats and seafood.
• Korean Meal (code KRML) - Korean style Bibimbap with steamed rice, gochujang sauce and sesame oil accompanied by soup, salad and banchan. Available only to D1 customers flying between the USA-Korea.
• Chinese Meal (code CNML) - Components include soup, salad and entrée and feature regional flavors on flights departing China. Available only to D1 customers flying between the USA-China.
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Delta In-Flight Meal/Food Service: The Definitive Thread — 2017 Edition

Old Aug 19, 2017, 9:10 am
  #901  
 
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Any chance they've officially made PDB somehow very optional? Just curious. I'm 1/8 on MSN>DTW/MSP>BWI the last few weeks in paid first, and the one time we had it was on a Connection flight.
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Old Aug 19, 2017, 9:25 am
  #902  
 
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Originally Posted by bergamini
Any chance they've officially made PDB somehow very optional? Just curious. I'm 1/8 on MSN>DTW/MSP>BWI the last few weeks in paid first, and the one time we had it was on a Connection flight.
It's all anecdotal but I've only missed one this year and that was announced with our delay. Probably around 25 or 30 segments in that sample not counting int'l D1.
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Old Aug 19, 2017, 9:43 am
  #903  
 
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Originally Posted by bergamini
Any chance they've officially made PDB somehow very optional? Just curious. I'm 1/8 on MSN>DTW/MSP>BWI the last few weeks in paid first, and the one time we had it was on a Connection flight.
I have only missed 1-2 PDB's this year and those were in delay situations. Think you've just run into some bad luck.
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Old Aug 19, 2017, 10:16 am
  #904  
 
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Anyone seen Kashi Honey Almond Flax granola bars in the F basket before? ATL-PHL right now and saw these. No kind bars.
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Old Aug 20, 2017, 1:57 pm
  #905  
 
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Please excuse me while I borrow a very organized format:

Tuesday August 15, 2017
DL 1501: BOS-ATL
Equipment: A321
Meal: Breakfast
Distance: 946 miles, Block Time 2h45m


I'm an infrequent Delta flyer (mostly a B6/UA guy) but I've just started flying DL in F lately since their premium cabin fares are only marginally higher than economy fares on other airlines.

Entree: Turkey bacon egg and cheese breakfast sandwich
Side: Fruit of questionable freshness (pineapple had graying spots)
Dessert: The ubiquitous Chobani Greek yogurt (every carrier seems to be serving it lately)
Beverage: Coffee - catering didn't load any ceramic cups.

The meal:


Verdict: I don't want to sound picky or that I have high expectations, but this is something I'd expect on a United Express E175 and not on a mainline Delta flight. The sandwich was just ok, and I'm glad that Delta isn't doing some variation of the quiche like on United and American. I knew there was a reason that almost all of the Medallion elites in the cabin all chose the cereal instead of the sandwich. Since Delta practices FEBO, they ran out of cereal by the time they got to my row (row 2), with the person sitting next to me ordering the last cereal. The people in row 1 had no other option than the sandwich.

Last edited by diburning; Aug 20, 2017 at 2:24 pm
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Old Aug 20, 2017, 7:58 pm
  #906  
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Originally Posted by diburning
Verdict: I don't want to sound picky or that I have high expectations, but this is something I'd expect on a United Express E175 and not on a mainline Delta flight. The sandwich was just ok, and I'm glad that Delta isn't doing some variation of the quiche like on United and American. I knew there was a reason that almost all of the Medallion elites in the cabin all chose the cereal instead of the sandwich. Since Delta practices FEBO, they ran out of cereal by the time they got to my row (row 2), with the person sitting next to me ordering the last cereal. The people in row 1 had no other option than the sandwich.
Doesn't mater what forum you are on, people are going to complain about the food, people on AA forum think the food they get is the worse, same about UA and AS... I wish airlines would stop trying to be fancy and just produce a solid product. I laugh at BA on their breakfast flights, one item serve is a traditional English breakfast, it's one of their better meals. I understand why airlines are trying to standout but for the most part these meals fail..
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Old Aug 20, 2017, 8:49 pm
  #907  
 
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Sunday August 20, 2017
DL 2643
Equipment: A321
Meal: Dinner
Distance: 946 miles, Block Time 2h46m


Entree: Salmon
Side: Slaw?
Dessert: Tiramisu?
Beverage: Vodka cranberry with lime

I was given the option between chicken salad or salmon. I chose the salmon. PDB was offered, orders were taken FEBO.

The meal:


Verdict: The salmon was cooked perfectly, tender, and moist. The broccoli was good, as were the red peppers and the teriyaki marinated squash. I did not have high hopes for the carrots, but they were quite tasty as well. All of this sat on a bed of brown rice.

I took a bite of the salad/slaw and didn't like it. It probably would have been OK if it came with some sort of dressing. I looked around and saw that no one else had any sort of dressing with it, so that's probably the way it comes (others have posted photos of the slaw and I didn't see any sort of dressing with it either)

The dessert was delicious. I think it's a tiramisu, as it tasted like one, although it looked more like a chocolate layer cake.

Last edited by diburning; Aug 23, 2017 at 2:02 am
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Old Aug 21, 2017, 12:56 am
  #908  
 
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August 17
DL 176 ATL - DUB

Poorly catered and inexperienced staff up-front.

No champagne: purser said it was loaded warm. Must never have cooled down because I never saw any.

FA insisted on serving the whole cabin before coming back to me with a glass of wine.

Then clearing the whole cabin before bringing a refill.

Took a nap after meal service (only had app and cheese) and my cheese plate was still on my seat ledge when I woke up.

No water bottles served to seat during flight.

FA seemed surprised when I asked for water, going to the galley to do so. It seemed such an ordeal for her to look for some I said a glass of San Pellegrino would do just fine so she poured me one.

I don't drink a lot of either booze or water but I was parched the whole flight.

Summary: staff friendly but ill-trained (much younger than the usual crews on this route) and some catering mishaps.
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Old Aug 21, 2017, 6:01 am
  #909  
 
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First mistake was taking a D1 flight ex-ATL. Always a bad idea.

I'd send this in as a complaint email. You're due some compensation. DL also needs to know that it has a bad crew running around out there.
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Old Aug 21, 2017, 6:44 am
  #910  
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Originally Posted by WWads
First mistake was taking a D1 flight ex-ATL. Always a bad idea.

I'd send this in as a complaint email. You're due some compensation. DL also needs to know that it has a bad crew running around out there.
Is this for all D1 flights out of ATL? A buddy is a FA and does ATL-JNB and gets complemented on his service in D1.
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Old Aug 21, 2017, 6:49 am
  #911  
 
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Every ATL-EU flight I've taken in D1 has been bad when it comes to crew attitudes and service. It's why I actively book around it now when flying D1.
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Old Aug 21, 2017, 3:44 pm
  #912  
 
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Just wanted to clarify on the 744 upper deck, is the meal service flow going front to back or back to front? Several times I've witnessed service flow from back to front but I wanted to see if anything changed. I'm taking my final 744 flight from HNL-NRT this Saturday.

Long live the Queen!
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Old Aug 21, 2017, 4:28 pm
  #913  
 
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I thought Delta practiced FEBO (Front Even, Back Odd)?
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Old Aug 21, 2017, 4:32 pm
  #914  
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MIA-LGA
August 2017
A320

Two options for lunch: a hot, Asian-inspired chicken and noodle dish, which to judge from seeing my seatmate's looked a lot like the second meal I had on a recent LHR-JFK flight, or a salmon and brown rice salad. I chose the latter and was very glad for the choice -- it was really excellent. Hearty, filling, flavorful, and reasonably healthy. The salmon portion was generous and pretty high quality, and the grain salad underneath had a good amount of variety including lots of pieces of cucumber and feta. (Looking at the picture now it doesn't look like a lot of food, but in practice it was a very satisfying meal.) And the cookie was good too.

I did find it odd that the FA took orders from the back on an even-numbered flight, but fortunately in row 2 I still got a choice. The person ahead of me didn't eat much of their salad so I suspect they might not have been so lucky.
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Old Aug 22, 2017, 11:56 am
  #915  
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22 Aug DL 2886 07:30 BNA-SEA (A319) breakfast

PDB: yes
FEBO: yes

choices: cheese omelet with sausage; or hot oatmeal with fruit mixed in/on top of the oatmeal

the oatmeal choice came with a bagel and smoked salmon. I chose the omelet and the bagel only came with butter/jam/cream cheese (and this was disclosed to us by the FA during the ordering process)

the omelet came with a side of sweet potatoes, which I happen to like but seemed like a strange choice for breakfast, and also had onions and red peppers inside it. It was above average as far as the DL breakfast omelet goes.

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