As I have mentioned in previous threads concerning this matter, there ARE standards. For flights scheduled to depart before 10pm, the standard is for a course by course presentation of the main meal service. A pax can request a Dine and Rest option, which would involve the FAs putting together the bread, appetizer, salad, soup, and main dish all on one tray.

The old pre-pandemic Dine and Rest option was different; it was actually a pre-set tray of items including the dessert; it was catered and loaded as such and were very limited in quantity.

The standard now in Delta One is:
- hot towels first
- beverages and mixed nuts
- then the meal trays cart with the base tray: bread, soup, hot appetizer, salad, and choice of olive oil or butter to go with the bread.
- base tray is collected
- main dish comes separately with a new set of cutlery
- main dish is collected
- dessert trolley with choice of three items: fruit and cheese, sundae with toppings, a cake or tart.

Anyone not following this before a 10pm scheduled departure is NOT following the Delta standard. I suggest that those who are not happy having a forced “Dine and Rest” presentation write a complaint to Delta.