Changes in service on flights < 350 miles
Nov 14, 2017, 2:30 pm
#46
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Toledo, OH
Programs: Delta DM & MM, Hilton DM, Marriott gold, Hyatt Globalist, Alaska 75K, Wyndham Diamond,
Posts: 15,399
No service at all except F on DTW to MDW or ORD flights even though Southwest can manage to get a beverage service in that short of a flight and AA provided a beverage service on DTW/ORD when I use to fly that route (haven't flown AA in a few years so not sure if that's still the case).
Delta should at provide a beverage service in at least C+ since they are advertisi free alcohol as a perk.
Delta should at provide a beverage service in at least C+ since they are advertisi free alcohol as a perk.
Nov 14, 2017, 2:35 pm
#47
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: NYC
Programs: DL PM, Marriott Gold, Hertz PC, National Exec
Posts: 6,736
I've gotten drink service and a snack (nice little sandwich) on ZRH-GVA, which is 144 miles. Honestly, it's kind of pointless at that level, since you're in the air about 25 minutes.
Nov 14, 2017, 2:38 pm
#48
Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: LON, PDX
Programs: DL PM, AS MVP 75K, HH/SPG/MR Gold, Amex Plat, PRG, CSR
Posts: 2,064
Nov 14, 2017, 3:00 pm
#49
Join Date: Apr 2016
Posts: 1,885
Having fewer options, means fewer beverages need to be loaded as its easier to predict the items people will choose and only stock the minimum needed to supply pax. That translates to less weight, which means less fuel burn and given the scale at which DL operates, the savings would be not insignificant over an entire year. Delta would also choose the options that are the least expensive (perhaps apple juice rather than orange juice) and a simpler cart may mean lower costs to the caterer through less labor, those savings could be passed on to DL.
Nov 14, 2017, 3:22 pm
#50
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: 45° North
Programs: DL DM MM, HH Diamond
Posts: 10,196
Having fewer options, means fewer beverages need to be loaded as its easier to predict the items people will choose and only stock the minimum needed to supply pax. That translates to less weight, which means less fuel burn and given the scale at which DL operates, the savings would be not insignificant over an entire year. Delta would also choose the options that are the least expensive (perhaps apple juice rather than orange juice) and a simpler cart may mean lower costs to the caterer through less labor, those savings could be passed on to DL.
From a logistics standpoint it may make more sense to have caters stock the beverage carts consistently. They can then deliver X number of carts (depending on flight length/need) to an aircraft without needing to make sure that a specifically stocked cart is delivered to the correct aircraft.
Nov 14, 2017, 3:43 pm
#51
Join Date: Jun 2017
Location: MidSouth
Programs: AA; Delta GM
Posts: 728
Wrong.
US consumers are cheap. While most European carriers are dialing back Y service on short-haul, free booze and some food are part of the expectation and thus part of the fare.
Serving those quick meals typically means 4+ FA's, while the US standard is 3.
All of the complaining runs straight into the brick wall of market research which is pretty clear in this country, e.g., people want lower fares over higher service standards.
US consumers are cheap. While most European carriers are dialing back Y service on short-haul, free booze and some food are part of the expectation and thus part of the fare.
Serving those quick meals typically means 4+ FA's, while the US standard is 3.
All of the complaining runs straight into the brick wall of market research which is pretty clear in this country, e.g., people want lower fares over higher service standards.
Nov 14, 2017, 4:36 pm
#52
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Treasure Coast, FL
Programs: DL Diamond, Marriott LT Plat, HH Diamond, Avis Preferred Plus, National Executive
Posts: 4,578
About 5 minutes into service today on DL 768 PBI-ATL they announce they are out of main cabin snacks.
First I ever heard that announcement.
First I ever heard that announcement.
Nov 14, 2017, 4:49 pm
#53
Suspended
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Orlando, FL Area
Programs: Delta SkySponge ExtraAbsorbent, SPG Gold
Posts: 29,988
Disgraceful. It's sad that Delta is now making billions in profits but offered a better product and customer service when they were in bankruptcy.
Nov 14, 2017, 5:09 pm
#54
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: 45° North
Programs: DL DM MM, HH Diamond
Posts: 10,196
That really shouldn't be a surprise though. In bankruptcy everyone was hurting (consumer and business) so they had to win what few travel dollars were out there. Now with consolidation (discussed ad-nauseam) and a strong economy, there just ins't the need to compete for each dollar. Truth be told, Delta will sell and fill the seats whether those on FT like it or not.
Nov 14, 2017, 5:09 pm
#55
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Treasure Coast, FL
Programs: DL Diamond, Marriott LT Plat, HH Diamond, Avis Preferred Plus, National Executive
Posts: 4,578
Once I got on it was in zone 1 and when I was seated the rest of the cabin had a PDB (was last to board in FC)
When the FA came buy to collect cups (before the door was closed) I asked if I could order a beverage and was denied due to time constraints.
Door closed 2 minutes early and was about 25 minutes until we took off and the time I wanted a drink.
Paid F for those that think I am complaining after an upgrade.
BOS based crew.
Nov 14, 2017, 5:30 pm
#56
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Toledo, OH
Programs: Delta DM & MM, Hilton DM, Marriott gold, Hyatt Globalist, Alaska 75K, Wyndham Diamond,
Posts: 15,399
Is it a new policy for Delta to start using plastic instead of glass in F for drinks on short flights now? I've been on four short gaconnection flights in the past couple weeks in F (atl/ags, ags/atl, dtw/mdw and ORD/DTW) and with the exception of the ORD/DTW flight they used disposable cups and I also had the same experience in October on a DTW/EWR flight.
Nov 14, 2017, 5:33 pm
#57
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Programs: HH Gold, AA Gold
Posts: 10,458
Agreed. I had a decent lunch and champagne and tea on DUS-LCY, 291 miles.
I don't know if they're just trying to save catering costs or somehow believe the FA's can't actually do it, but it is a very bad decision from a passenger experience perspective. It is the kind of decision that can dually upset frequent and infrequent travelers. Frequent travelers notice the downgrade and reduction in quality compared to other airlines. Infrequent travelers don't know that the lack of service is due to flight length and can confuse it with bigger cuts.
I don't know if they're just trying to save catering costs or somehow believe the FA's can't actually do it, but it is a very bad decision from a passenger experience perspective. It is the kind of decision that can dually upset frequent and infrequent travelers. Frequent travelers notice the downgrade and reduction in quality compared to other airlines. Infrequent travelers don't know that the lack of service is due to flight length and can confuse it with bigger cuts.
Nov 14, 2017, 5:42 pm
#58
Suspended
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Orlando, FL Area
Programs: Delta SkySponge ExtraAbsorbent, SPG Gold
Posts: 29,988
Is it a new policy for Delta to start using plastic instead of glass in F for drinks on short flights now? I've been on four short gaconnection flights in the past couple weeks in F (atl/ags, ags/atl, dtw/mdw and ORD/DTW) and with the exception of the ORD/DTW flight they used disposable cups and I also had the same experience in October on a DTW/EWR flight.
Nov 14, 2017, 6:00 pm
#59
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: BNA (Nashville)
Programs: HH Diamond
Posts: 6,229
That Delta is more profitable than the European carriers and have lower costs?
Nov 14, 2017, 6:07 pm
#60
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Atlanta, GA (KATL)
Programs: Delta SkyMiles KM, Sky Club/Priority Pass, SPG Gold, HHonors Gold
Posts: 458