Sep 24, 2019, 9:23 am
Last edit by: michab
The following website seems to allow you to preview the menu options ahead of time: http://cloud.o.delta.com/fltInfo
The Delta App lets you pre-select meals 7 days prior to departure. You may or may not receive an email around the same time (it's inconsistent whether you even receive an email). On the "MY TRIPS" tab, any eligible trip in the list will have a SELECT YOUR ENTREE button; this also appears if you tap on a trip and are viewing the individual trip details. The app is able to handle selections for multiple passengers traveling on the same record (i.e. you will be able to make selections on behalf of traveling companions)
Sample screenshot:
PRE-COVID: If you don't get the email, or only one of multiple passengers receives the email*, you can ask a phone or Twitter/FB agent for the choices, and they can make your selection up until T-24h (not all agents are sharp about this, so you may need to explain that you want to pre-order a regular meal, *not* one of the special vegetarian/Kosher meals etc. HUCA as needed) Nowadays it is unclear if agents can even still do this (or if just the average phone/chat agent does not know how to do so anymore)
*If this happens, double check that you have an email address (for each passenger) in the reservation. (But this can happen at random anyway even if you do have an email address listed.)
The Delta App lets you pre-select meals 7 days prior to departure. You may or may not receive an email around the same time (it's inconsistent whether you even receive an email). On the "MY TRIPS" tab, any eligible trip in the list will have a SELECT YOUR ENTREE button; this also appears if you tap on a trip and are viewing the individual trip details. The app is able to handle selections for multiple passengers traveling on the same record (i.e. you will be able to make selections on behalf of traveling companions)
Sample screenshot:
PRE-COVID: If you don't get the email, or only one of multiple passengers receives the email*, you can ask a phone or Twitter/FB agent for the choices, and they can make your selection up until T-24h (not all agents are sharp about this, so you may need to explain that you want to pre-order a regular meal, *not* one of the special vegetarian/Kosher meals etc. HUCA as needed) Nowadays it is unclear if agents can even still do this (or if just the average phone/chat agent does not know how to do so anymore)
*If this happens, double check that you have an email address (for each passenger) in the reservation. (But this can happen at random anyway even if you do have an email address listed.)
Pre-ordering Meals on Delta, the Definitive Thread
Mar 24, 2016, 2:27 am
#61
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What happens when the flight is a NW/SE or SW/NE flight? Not like everything is a cut and dry cardinal direction.
Mar 24, 2016, 3:37 am
#62
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No, given that you haven't preselected, it's better for you if no one else has preselected either, assuming that DL loads meals in the proportions in which they're likely to be selected.
Mar 24, 2016, 8:09 am
#63
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If 16 of 20 pre-select, and there are two meals, I only lose if (1) all 4 want the same choice (1/16 probability) AND (2) I'm the last to choose (1/4 probability) so net, I lose less than 2% of the time (1/64 probability).
If nobody preselects and Delta loads a surplus of one extra of each type, my chances of not getting what I want are much higher.
Mar 24, 2016, 8:27 am
#64
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Why do you say that? Delta loads a surplus; if everyone else pre-selects, I'm guaranteed my choice. (Same if everyone else except one preselects.)
If 16 of 20 pre-select, and there are two meals, I only lose if (1) all 4 want the same choice (1/16 probability) AND (2) I'm the last to choose (1/4 probability) so net, I lose less than 2% of the time (1/64 probability).
If nobody preselects and Delta loads a surplus of one extra of each type, my chances of not getting what I want are much higher.
If 16 of 20 pre-select, and there are two meals, I only lose if (1) all 4 want the same choice (1/16 probability) AND (2) I'm the last to choose (1/4 probability) so net, I lose less than 2% of the time (1/64 probability).
If nobody preselects and Delta loads a surplus of one extra of each type, my chances of not getting what I want are much higher.
Mar 24, 2016, 8:39 am
#65
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Mar 24, 2016, 12:00 pm
#66
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I for one am really glad to have back the 12 seconds it takes to peruse the D1 menu and make a selection. Also, I'm glad that I won't have to obsess for days over whether they will run out of the apple crepes before they get to my seat on the morning flights. *rolling eyes*
Mar 24, 2016, 12:24 pm
#67
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Mar 24, 2016, 12:41 pm
#68
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When an aircraft flight involves a change of time zones, take meal preferences:
. . . • Eastbound: from forward / front to aft /back
. . . • Westbound: from aft to forward
If the flight does not involve a change of any time zones, take meal preferences:
. . . • Southbound: from forward to aft
. . . • Northbound: from aft to forward
Personally, I thought FEBO made much more sense. It only takes four letters to explain after all.
Mar 24, 2016, 12:52 pm
#69
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Mar 24, 2016, 1:30 pm
#70
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This will most likely improve chances for those who cannot preselect their meal choice in advance of getting what they want while at the same time saving Delta money.
As others have noted, if about half the cabin preselects, then they would only have to load either/or choices for only one half of the cabin. So if there are 16 seats and 8 are locked in to their choice, then only 16 other meals are required to make certain everyone has their choice.
If Delta factors currently say 12 of each. They load 24 and chances are they might run out of one or the other. If they have 8 locked in, toss in another 16 and everyone can pick and choose.
Alternately, if 12 order in advance, that count would drop to 20 total meals.
Either way paying passengers and those that can upgrade in advance (if they do pre-order) get what they want no matter what.
We know in advance if we want to brown bag it.
Delta might save a buck or two.
Everyone wins.
Unless of course you can't make up your mind.
As others have noted, if about half the cabin preselects, then they would only have to load either/or choices for only one half of the cabin. So if there are 16 seats and 8 are locked in to their choice, then only 16 other meals are required to make certain everyone has their choice.
If Delta factors currently say 12 of each. They load 24 and chances are they might run out of one or the other. If they have 8 locked in, toss in another 16 and everyone can pick and choose.
Alternately, if 12 order in advance, that count would drop to 20 total meals.
Either way paying passengers and those that can upgrade in advance (if they do pre-order) get what they want no matter what.
We know in advance if we want to brown bag it.
Delta might save a buck or two.
Everyone wins.
Unless of course you can't make up your mind.
Mar 24, 2016, 1:31 pm
#71
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Mar 24, 2016, 1:44 pm
#72
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Finally. This should have been implemented earlier IMO. As someone who is very picky about what they eat, it is nice to be able to choose what you want in advance. There are some pretty disgusting things like the niçoise salad that DL tries to pass off as food.
Mar 24, 2016, 2:05 pm
#73
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EXACTLY what I was thinking. ^
I also have some statistical background, but as I'm now a full-time QMS auditor, sometimes the sadistical background takes over. 
Mar 24, 2016, 2:11 pm
#74
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Mar 24, 2016, 2:14 pm
#75
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I for one am really glad to have back the 12 seconds it takes to peruse the D1 menu and make a selection. Also, I'm glad that I won't have to obsess for days over whether they will run out of the apple crepes before they get to my seat on the morning flights. *rolling eyes*