Delta Adding Meals in Main Cabin on Transcon Flights and Long-Haul Domestic Routes
Feb 16, 2017, 9:27 am
#16
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Maybe the right term is "differentiation"
Feb 16, 2017, 9:57 am
#17
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Feb 16, 2017, 10:12 am
#18
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I think it's not necessarily a single factor that will sway opinions, but a combination. Now Delta can show a list of things they offer that their competitors don't (TV screens, meals on some routes, better snacks for C+, $0 overhead bin space, etc).
Maybe the right term is "differentiation"
Maybe the right term is "differentiation"
The history here is that the three legacy carriers will even out on anything customers care about in 6-12 months. In the end: Price + Convenience.
Feb 16, 2017, 1:18 pm
#22
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Interesting to see that RDU - SEA (where they compete against AS) made the cut but not RDU - LAX (where they compete against AA). RDU - SEA is longer by 115 miles (per gcmap) but I don't think anyone would argue that RDU - LAX isn't "long-haul domestic" by any reasonable definition.
Will be interesting if the other carriers eventually follow suit in which case RDU - SEA (AS), RDU - LAX (AA), and RDU - SFO (UA) would be prime targets for "long-haul domestic" food.
^^^
Will be interesting if the other carriers eventually follow suit in which case RDU - SEA (AS), RDU - LAX (AA), and RDU - SFO (UA) would be prime targets for "long-haul domestic" food.
^^^
Feb 16, 2017, 1:50 pm
#25
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Feb 16, 2017, 2:08 pm
#26
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Rumor was that they'd be serving hot meals EG: what is served to Europe. So this is basically free buy on board give away. Needless to say, it's better than the "Bistro Bag" days of DL and AA back in the early 2000s by a long shot.
Clearly it's very impressive and I doubt UA will do anything about it to compete.
Clearly it's very impressive and I doubt UA will do anything about it to compete.
Feb 16, 2017, 3:30 pm
#27
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: BWI
Programs: DL FO
Posts: 312
I will happily take the fruit and cheese plate over any of the hot meals they serve in TATL Y. It's simple and reliable.
I've only tried other buy on board options once - I ended up with a Boars Head chicken sandwich on a SEA-DTW flight. They were out of everything else by the time the FA reach my row, but I was famished after a hectic connection/VDB coming off a HNL-SEA red eye, and that sandwich was pretty tasty. I would happily eat that plus a bag of chips for a standard domestic Y lunch.
I've only tried other buy on board options once - I ended up with a Boars Head chicken sandwich on a SEA-DTW flight. They were out of everything else by the time the FA reach my row, but I was famished after a hectic connection/VDB coming off a HNL-SEA red eye, and that sandwich was pretty tasty. I would happily eat that plus a bag of chips for a standard domestic Y lunch.
Feb 16, 2017, 3:30 pm
#28
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I'm a little surprised at the omission of MIA-LAX given that DL is a small fish relative to AA on that route and it could give them a competitive advantage. Also I'd have liked to see TPA/MCO - LAX as well...
Feb 17, 2017, 9:54 pm
#29
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I will happily take the fruit and cheese plate over any of the hot meals they serve in TATL Y. It's simple and reliable.
I've only tried other buy on board options once - I ended up with a Boars Head chicken sandwich on a SEA-DTW flight. They were out of everything else by the time the FA reach my row, but I was famished after a hectic connection/VDB coming off a HNL-SEA red eye, and that sandwich was pretty tasty. I would happily eat that plus a bag of chips for a standard domestic Y lunch.
I've only tried other buy on board options once - I ended up with a Boars Head chicken sandwich on a SEA-DTW flight. They were out of everything else by the time the FA reach my row, but I was famished after a hectic connection/VDB coming off a HNL-SEA red eye, and that sandwich was pretty tasty. I would happily eat that plus a bag of chips for a standard domestic Y lunch.
I think this is mostly hype with a measured amount of improving the experience and perception of air travel. This is taking buy-on-board that is only offered on routes >1400 miles anyway and making it free on some >2300 miles. To me, it's not "free meals in coach again" so much as an effort not to run out of BOB snacks on some of the longest domestic routes. Not running out is exactly what makes travelers (like mpheels w/ close connection) happy to fly Delta.
Since this only affects some transcon routes, those of us in flyover land will just have to enjoy our Biscoffs
Feb 18, 2017, 3:18 am
#30
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: NYC
Posts: 937
I still don't know who's going to pay even $10 more for a flight just because delta gives you a free meal
if I'm flying for work it doesn't matter as I have an corporate card. If I'm a kettle then I probably don't know about free food or still want to save some money. I have plenty of reasons why I fly delta but getting a feee sandwich on a 5 hour flight isn't going to be one of them
I hope this works works for delta - just don't know if it will.
if I'm flying for work it doesn't matter as I have an corporate card. If I'm a kettle then I probably don't know about free food or still want to save some money. I have plenty of reasons why I fly delta but getting a feee sandwich on a 5 hour flight isn't going to be one of them
I hope this works works for delta - just don't know if it will.