I think it's great that DL is doing something for D1 passengers at select SC. I'll be at JFK next week on a D1 itinerary and I'll get to check it out.

With that said, DL should make all drinks and premium snacks complimentary for D1 passengers. Make it a true business class experience.

I find myself not getting free drinks at the bars in the SC's because I don't want to be that guy who asks.. well what's free?

I'd like to see this in domestic FC on flights that are long enough for meals but depart after 8 pm, such as the last ATL-MSP flight of the night. It's not easy to eat before these flights, even if one is willing to have dinner in an airport restaurant.

I think at least some of the luxury bars sell full bottles of champagne. Should that be free for D1 passengers? My answer would be no.

Agree, there has to be a better way to do this.

Related, on my last two JFK SC T4 visits, the service from the food/drink staff seems to have improved quite a bit.

I wrote a note to DL complementing them on their nice breakfast and increased snacks, but added they need to do do better for D1 pax.

Got a nice (form) letter back thanking me for my comments, but they didn't mention that D1 pax now get better snacks / light meals.

But its good to hear the comments above that DL really is trying to improve teh D1 experience on the ground. Maybe the extensive discount business class fares I've been seeing recently have DL taking notice.

This seems like a contradiction. If business class fares are cheap, it's hard to see an argument for spending money to improve the service unless DL is trying to position itself above the competition. Being forced to match cheap fares should lead to service cutbacks.

BA used to do that, their F lounge had meals so you could spend all your time on the plane asleep. (They might still, it's just been a long time since I flew BA in F.)

DL matches some cheap fares, but I think their D1 product IS better than many airlines and therefore they can charge a premium. But if the lounge experience sucks, this degrades the whole D1 experience and pax may think twice about flying DL next time.

I now hear there's a dedicated Delta-One lounge at LAX Bravo DL for realizing the lounge DOES make a difference.

What time does the Sky Club menu change from breakfast to lunch?

At 11:00 a.m., I believe.

BA still does this for F and J at their US lounges, though it's a buffet with more substantial items (not a sit-down service like at the VS lounge).

Just now saw your reply from 6 weeks ago...

Maybe, I was thinking more along the lines of transcons either eastbound overnight or late evening westbound. Although for the former, unlike AA, DL serves a full meal of out JFK even for 9pm departures.

ATL-MSP is a fairly short flight, and is likely either right on the 900 mile band or is an exception market being hub to hub. Don't flights of that length on DL only get a choice of cold salad/sandwich and a packaged Dancing Deer cookie? Wouldn't something like the above be a pretty significant (and IMO unlikely) upgrade?

My mother always told me to substitute complimentary for free. Lest we be beggars on the streets (or sky clubs!)

The Thai soup is the best soup I think they have - though I enjoyed that Italian Wedding Meatball soup a few months back.

Finally had the clam corn chowder and it was muy bueno.☺