Deadtail

I don't see how carts make it faster. It will served down the isle quicker, but the total time should be the same as they will start serving later due to having to make a cart full of meals, rather than bringing them out as they are finished.

Xeno

A test case noted in #33 says it saved 30 minutes which I would embrace as a positive.

jdrtravel

There are probably variables that we are not aware of. For one thing, I think it creates a more relaxed atmosphere without the FA's running back and forth.

NWAFA

Exactly! ^

readywhenyouare

Why not give passengers the option. For those who want to go to sleep quickly throw all of the food on one tray and slap it in front of them as soon as the seatbelt sign goes off. For those who want a leisurely dinner service then continue the personal delivery of the dinner courses. I don't think it matters how nice the carts are. Does anyone really think Delta will keep them maintained? It won't take long before it is covered in dings and scratches with squeaky wheels.

NotHamSarnie

Totally. In the current system they're like yoyos and barely have time to look at the people on their way to the next back-and-forth leg. This new system could make them more observant of people in the seats as they pass them slowly with the cart.

tlecam

When I lived in SF, I flew United a lot. THey used carts in first on their transcontinental flights for serving dinner. I was primarily going to BOS, JFK and IAD. This was just prior to P.S. for JFK flights, so it wasn't due to that. Of course, they also served a freshly made sundae then too. I haven't flow United in a number of years now.

NWAFA

I'm using NW as a reference point because I wasn't with DL long enough to see many service changes.

When I flew with NW, we did have an option for the full service or "lite" service. A beautiful cold plate that could be served quickly and removed so the passenger could then go to sleep or work. Or just even wasn't feeling like a big hot meal before sleeping.

It was discontinued because many simply opted for the full service. However, if a passenger wanted their meal served slower or even later, all they did was tell their FA and their request was certainly honored. We would tape the instructions for those people up in the galley so none of us would forget the request.

Was it Burger King's old motto: "We Serve It Your Way!" Or something like that.

kitkat77

The BE flights I have been on recently offer a cold plate "full dinner" option on one plate, but it's not a hot option.

I also had a freshly made sundae on both of my last BE flights (in the last 3 weeks). One was off the dessert cart, and the other was brought to me. I think we had so few people eating on my flight this week, as it was close to 1AM when they started serving dinner, that they didn't need to use the dessert tray.

jdrtravel

This option exists. You can request the cold plate for this reason.

craig44485

Flew DL 295 ATL>NRT, UD , no carts were used and service seem fine to me, not rushed, and not to slow, I like to eat and then get some rest. However, on DL173 NRT>MNL, UD, they did use carts for both the meal and the dinner service. Personally I prefer no carts, but that's just me.

Desert cart has always been used when I have flown BE TPAC.

MSPeconomist

Shouldn't you become LAXdlPLAT?

MSPeconomist

AFAIK most if not all of the TPAC routes offer a quick meal with a fancy cold plate (shrimp, smoked salmon, cold roast beef, etc.) served all at once. PMNW WBC called it their champagne supper. It was a nice option to have available. At least on some flights, DL does something similar. I usually prefer the full BE meal, but I recall the only other passenger in BE on HND-LAX doing the cold quick option.

FitTraveler

What's the difference between the meal and the dinner service??

SFTNYC

I don't understand the aversion to carts in the aisle for longhaul business class... KL, BA, LH etc. all do it (and for all courses of the meal). When staffed properly (BA, LH) it can go quite efficiently. The best part is being able to get drink refills as each course is served rather than having to wait for the FA's to run back and forth.