Like many things going on these days, there's very few absolutes (though the world would be easier if there were!), and I think several things can be true at once. I too would like Delta to have better service offerings on board, but like many things these days it seems like a complex calculation.
- Regardless of the severity of Omicron, there are still people who have to travel who are very anxious/cautious about covid and/or are more susceptible to Covid's effects (pre-existing conditions, lives with someone under 5 or over 80, etc). As a common carrier Delta can't just deny boarding to all of those people. From my point of view it makes sense to continue taking measures to increase Covid safety.
- Some service offerings seem like they could be brought back without affecting Covid safety - now that we now Covid is mostly transmitted by air and not surface contact, pillows and blankets in F seem like a reasonable thing to bring back.
- Some are in a gray area. On one hand offering any food and drink will lead to longer time periods of passengers being unmasked. So I can see things like reduced food offerings in Y, not consistently offering the midflight water/coffee service, etc making sense. On the other hand, if you've decided to bring back something like a drink service anyways, it seems like you might as well offer the full menu.
- The cost of providing on-board service offerings is likely more now than it was pre-covid due to increased supply & labor costs at various parts in the supply chain.
- The reasons airlines use to justify service offerings (or lack thereof) in their PR is often not the real bottom line reason
As far back as
2008, it was well-documented that aircraft cabin air was exchanged roughly 20 times per hour and that HEPA filters were used. The aircraft cabin air quality argument is a red herring. I'd dare say that the quality of aircraft cabin air is better than that in your hotel room after you land
