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Delta In-Flight Meal/Food Service: The Definitive Thread — 2018/2019 Edition

Old Jan 1, 2018, 10:49 am
FlyerTalk Forums Expert How-Tos and Guides
Last edit by: Grouchy
DELTA IN-FLIGHT MEAL AND FOOD SERVICES WIKI
Here is the DL.com link with food/beverage information.
Click here for the 2017 version of this thread.

FALL 2018 Note about Delta's new Delta One pre-order option: If you are flying a Delta One route with pre-ordering available, you will be notified to select your meal via email approximately three days prior to departure. You will not see an option in your reservation or in the Fly Delta app. You cannot call in to pre-order your meal (unless you are requesting a special meal, including special asian meals). If you do not receive the email, you cannot pre-order, this is the only way in which DL is currently handling this. Check out this thread for more discussion on this service.

TABLE OF CONTENTS: (Now with anchors!)
1. Beverages:

The following are complimentary in all cabins
Soft drinks: Coca-Cola, Coca-Cola Zero, Diet Coke, Fresca, Sprite, KUAT (flights to/from Brazil only).
Mixers: Mr. & Mrs. "T" Bloody Mary Mix, Seagram's Ginger Ale, Seagram's Sparkling Seltzer Water, Seagram's Tonic Water
Juices and Bottled Water: Minute Maid Apple Juice, Minute Maid Cranberry Apple Cocktail, Minute Maid Orange Juice, tomato juice, bottled water, LaCroix Sparkling Water (on some international flights), San Pellegrino Sparkling Mineral Water (D1 only), Glacéau Smartwater (D1 only), Milk
Hot Drinks: Starbucks coffee, Starbucks VIA decaffeinated instant coffee, Bigelow Tea, Harney & Sons Tea (D1 only)

The following are complimentary in D1/FC/C+ and INTL Y where meal is served. Charge for Y varies.
Beer $6 in Y on domestic/short-haul INTL flights: Heineken, Miller Lite, Samuel Adams Boston Lager, and Blue Moon are available on most US flights. Beyond this, beers vary widely by region: Sweetwater 420 (ATL-DCA/FLL/IAD/LGA/MCO/MIA/MSY/TPA, also on JFK-LAX per Flight Fuel menu), Sierra Nevada Pale Ale, Lagunitas IPA (LAX-SFO only), Stella Artois, Ballast Point, Brooklyn Brewery (Transcon markets only)
Wines: $8 in Y on domestic/short-haul INTL flights:
Economy: red or white available. No sparkling. Typically Wente Vineyards California cabernet and chardonnay or similar.
Only on flights JFK-LAX/SFO in the economy cabin: Delta Winemaker Series, "A unique offering of half bottle (375 ML) California Wines selected by Delta’s Master Sommelier, Andrea Robinson." ($14.99)
Domestic First: Wente Vineyards Cabernet or Chardonnay
Business Class: (US-Canada/Mexico/Caribbean) Domestic first service + Sparkling Wine offered pre-departure (and pre-departure only if allowed per customs policies).
Delta One Fine Wines– selected by Master Sommelier Andrea Robinson
NOTE: Changes are frequent and may not match what is listed on delta.com, or even on the printed onboard menu.
Expect the following:
  • Two whites, one “Light Bodied” and one “Medium Bodied”
  • Two reds, one “Medium Bodied” and one “Full Bodied”
  • Port and possibly one additional dessert wine
  • Champagne
Delta.com link to “current” wine list
Spirits $8 in Y on domestic/short-haul INTL flights: CazadoresTequila, Bacardi Rum, Bailey’s Irish Cream Cordial, Bombay Sapphire Dry Gin, Canadian Club Reserve Whisky, Dewar’s Scotch, Finlandia Vodka, Grey Goose Vodka (D1 only), Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whiskey, Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Honey Whiskey, Jack Daniel's Single Barrel Whiskey (D1 only), Woodford Reserve Small Batch Bourbon
Mixed Drinks (aka “Featured Beverages”) $8 in Y on domestic/short-haul INTL flights:
Blue Diamond - featuring Bombay Sapphire Dry Gin, Seagram's Tonic Water, and a splash of apple juice
Margarita - Featuring Cazadores Tequila and Stirrings (verify) Margarita (mix).
Mai Tai - A Hawaiian favorite, Bacardi® Select Rum infused with exotic fruit flavors. (Hawaii Flight Fuel only)*unknown if this is still offered as DL no longer shows a Hawaii Flight Fuel menu

2. DELTA ONE - INTERCONTINENTAL FLIGHTS
Note: See Transcon Delta One (Section 3) for flights such as JFK-LAX featuring D1 service, or see domestic first/business class service (Section 5) for other flights.
The meals that you will see on Delta One will vary by destination and origin.

If you are flying a Delta One route with pre-ordering available, you will be notified to select your meal via email approximately three days prior to departure. You will not see an option in your reservation or in the Fly Delta app. You cannot call in to pre-order your meal (unless you are requesting a special meal, including special asian meals). If you do not receive the email, you cannot pre-order, this is the only way in which DL is currently handling this.
Check out this thread for more discussion on this service.

Delta One International Meals feature the following Chefs:
Transpacific Flights: Chef Masatoshi Ishimoto
Atlanta-Europe Flights: Chef Linton Hopkins
JFK-Select Europe: Winter 2017 chef/meals TBA
Asian meals may be pre-ordered in D1 on flights to/from Japan, China and Korea, using the normal Special Meals request process. See Transpacific Flights and the Special Meals section below. Pre-ordering recommended to guarantee availability.

This is the typical order of D1 service but can vary based on route/destination (note this does not apply to transcons):
-Cold appetizer (only one option)
-Soup and salad with choice of dressing, along with bread and butter (one option for soup or salad, but for bread there are usually three options to choose from)
-Main entrée: Beef, Chicken, Seafood, Pasta, Cold Plate, Regional Dish (typically four options)
-Dessert: Ice Cream with choice of toppings, Cheese Plate, or other sweets such as pie
-Self-service snack basket in galley, or Mid-flight light meal (Ultra-long haul only): Western and Asian cold plates. On TATL westbound flights there may be a warm chocolate chip cookie service.
-Pre-Arrival Breakfast: (eastbound flights) Egg dish with meat or Granola cereal with milk, if it is a PM arrival it will feature something like a sandwich or pizza with a hot breakfast option like an egg dish.
-Pre-Arrival Lunch: (westbound flights) Hot sandwich or cold salad

LINKS to current D1 intercontinental menu/meal posts:
Please add your links to your posts to the list below. Note: This section features only current menus, click on this link to see an archive of older D1 menus.

ICN-ATL 1/2018
IAD-LHR (VS) 4/2018
AMS-DTW 4/2018
MSP-AMS 4/2018
HND-MSP 4/2018
AMS-DTW 4/2018
ATL-AMS 5/2018
AMS-MSP 5/2018
MSP-AMS 5/2018
AMS-SEA 7/2018
JFK-BRU 7/2018
ICN-SEA 8/2018
PRG-JFK 8/2018
AMS-LAX 11/2018
LAX-AMS 11/2018

ADDITIONAL region-specific Delta One meal details:
TRANSPACIFIC FLIGHTS - CHEF MASATOSHI ISHIMOTO
Flights to/from Japan-USA
• “Kaiseki” style Japanese meals are offered as an option to customers in the D1 cabin
• Customers flying in the D1 cabin to/from Japan may pre-order a Japanese meal up to 24 hours prior to scheduled flight departure through My Trips or by calling DL Reservations. Once you check in, let the gate agent and a flight attendant know that you ordered a special meal.
• Entrées with a Japanese flair are offered as an option to customers in the Economy cabin
• All customers can choose from a selection of Japanese beverages including Asahi, Suntory Premium Malt, Kirin Ichiban, and Sake
FLIGHTS TO/FROM JAPAN-HONOLULU
• Menu selections for the D1 cabin and Economy cabin feature meals with both Japanese and Hawaiian flavors
• All customers can choose from a selection of Japanese beverages including; Asahi, Suntory Premium Malt and Kirin Ichiban beers, Sake and a choice of Hawaiian juices
FLIGHTS TO/FROM KOREA-USA
DTW-ICN Korean meals are catered by local Korean restaurant Bi Bim Bab in Novi.
• Korean meals and beverages are available as an option to all customers, including OB beer
FLIGHTS TO/FROM CHINA-USA
• Chinese Meals and Beverages are available as an option to all customers, including Tsingtao beer
INTER-ASIA FLIGHTS
• All flights flying within Delta’s Intra-Asia markets feature menu options with both western and regional flavors in all cabins

3. TRANSCON DELTA ONE
This is a signature service for select transcon flights. It includes a three course meal, except on red-eye flights which have a lighter one course offering. Flights departing from JFK feature meals from Union Square Hospitality Group's restaurants in NYC. Soon flights departing from LAX will feature meals from local chefs Jon Shook and Vinny Dotolo, see DL article here. Note: there is no special chef menu for flights departing from SFO, BOS, or DCA. See press release on newest D1 routes and enhancements here.

D1 Transcon service is offered on all flights on the following routes:
JFK-LAX/SFO, BOS-SFO, DCA-LAX, and ATL/MSP-HNL

D1 Transcon service is offered on some (not all) flights on the following routes effective April 1, 2018 (see exception below)
JFK-SAN (1 of 3 flights), SEA (2 of 4 flights), and LAS beginning on May 1, 2018 (1 of 5 flights)
BOS-LAX (2 of 3 flights)

Service is usually the following:
Breakfast flights
-Two starters (both given)
-Main course (three choices)
-Chocolate Chip Cookie

Lunch/Dinner flights
-Starter, soup and salad
-Main course (three choices)
-Dessert (two choices)
-Chocolate Chip/Mint Cookie


LINKS to recent Transcon D1 menu/meal posts:
Please add your links to your posts to the list below. Note: This section features only current menus, click on this link to see an archive of older D1 menus.

Breakfast
BOS-SFO 1/2018

Lunch/Dinner
SFO-BOS 1/2018
JFK-SFO 1/2018
JFK-SFO 2/2018
JFK-SFO 2/2018
SFO-JFK 2/2018
SFO-JFK 5/2018
JFK-SFO 5/2018
SFO-JFK 6/2018
JFK-SFO 7/2018
JFK-LAX 10/2018


4. MEALS IN DOMESTIC FIRST CLASS (WITHIN THE US) OR IN BUSINESS CLASS (TO CANADA/MEXICO/CARRIBEAN, ETC.)
First Class meal service is provided on all flights 900 miles or greater. "Business Class" is the same service as domestic first but for trans-border North American flights that do not offer D1 service, usually found on routes between the USA and Caribbean, Canada, Mexico, and Central America. One differentiation for Business Class flights is that sparkling wine is offered pre-departure as with all Delta international flights.
Please note:
-The content in this section doesn't apply to transoceanic or transcon D1 flights
-There are a few flights under 900 miles where DL does provide First Class meal service because other airlines offer meal service on the same route. See the list below.
-West Coast flights between LAX-SFO are served LUVO light snack trays (with items such as carrots, hummus and crackers, etc). These flights also offer free beer (including a local selection) and wine in the coach cabin.

Routes that are known exceptions to the 900-mile minimum:
- ATL-EWR/LGA/JFK
- LGA/JFK-ORD
- SEA-SFO/SMF/SJC

Meal service is determined by distance flown and time of departure:
0-250 miles: Only Biscoff cookies, peanuts, and pretzels
251-899 miles: Full snack basket is offered
900-1399 miles: Meals are served for flights departing 5am-1:30pm and 4pm to 8pm. This can vary slightly by flight, so it is best to check the reservation notes on delta.com. At other times a snack basket is passed around the cabin (see above).
1400+ miles: Full meal service will be offered between 5am-8pm. Breakfast is served for flights departing up to 9:45AM, and full lunch/dinner service after that.

Examples of snacks offered:
Morning flights (departures 05:00-09:45) offer peanuts, pretzels, Biscoff cookies, biscotti, bananas, Otis Spunkmeyer muffins and Quaker Oats chewy granola bars.
Afternoon/evening: peanuts, pretzels, apples, Twix, Toblerone, Sun Chips and Walkers shortbread cookies.

NOTE: For flights departing between 8pm and 9pm a light meal service, referred to as "snack" on delta.com, will be offered. This is often a source of confusion because delta.com lists full meal service for 1400+ mile flights as going until 9pm, but the reservation online will list "snack" and not "dinner." Also, there have been recent reports of longer redeye flights being served a pre-arrival breakfast, but there is not great information available about this. If your flight lists "snack" instead of "none" for meal service, this is a good sign that you will have some food service. If departure is after 9pm and before 5am, it will probably be a pre-arrival breakfast. See sample menu below.

SAMPLE MENUS
The meals you may see listed here are general examples and your flight may not have the option(s) listed here. These are solely from the words of fellow FTers (and please remember the times are based upon the flight's departure time):

Note: If you are flying a DL Connection flight, most meal service is cold as the majority of these planes are not equipped with ovens. There are reports that certain CRJ-900's are equipped with "warmers" but there is no way to know this in advance.

All domestic first class meals are served on Delta signature dishes with real flatware, glasses, etc.

Breakfast (5:45am-9:45am) There is generally a hot and cold option offered. Hot option usually has an entrée, side dish, bread (bagel/muffin/etc), and fruit. The cold option is generally a cereal with yogurt, bread item, and fruit. See the sample menus below for a better idea on what to expect.
Lunch (9:46am-3:59pm): Typically served with fresh fruit (or another side). This is typically a lighter meal. See the sample menus below for a better idea on what to expect. NOTE: No meal service on flights departing 1:30pm-3:59pm for flights under 1400 miles.
Dinner (4pm-8pm): All meals are typically served with bread, salad, and a dessert item such as a cookie. See the sample menus below for a better idea on what to expect.
1400+ mile flights departing 8pm-9pm: Typically there is only one option offered such as a hot sandwich served with chips and a cookie. Full snack basket will also be offered.
Hawaii Routes: for West Coast departures (LAX/SLC/SFO/SEA/PDX) it is just like domestic F service in both directions. For ATL/MSP-HNL see Transcon D1.

Sample Menus from First Class menu/meal posts (within last year):
Please add links to your posts to the list below

Breakfast:
MSP-CLT 1/2018
MSP-BOS 1/2018
JFK - ATL 4/2018
LAS-ATL 05/2018
SJU-JFK 5/2018
MSP-BOS 7/2018
LGA-ATL 7/2018
MSP-ATL 4/2019
MSP-PHL 5/2019

Lunch:
DTW-CUN 1/2018
ORD-JFK 1/2018
SFO-SEA 1/2018
MSP-IAD 4/2018
LGA-ATL 6/2018
ATL-LGA 6/2018
AUS-DTW 8/2018
JFK-SDQ 9/2018
LAX-MSP 3/2019

Dinner:
SEA-SNA 1/2018
DTW-LAS 4/2018
PHL-MSP 6/2018
SEA-SFO 8/2018
SJC-SEA 9/2018
SEA-JFK 9/2018 (red-eye)
PHL-MSP 5/2019

JFK/MSP/ATL-HNL
HNL-MSP 3/2018
MSP-HNL 3/2018
DTW-LAS 4/2018 VGML

Other D1-lite routes (e.g. JFK-MEX, ATL-MDE)
Breakfast:

Lunch/Dinner:
MEX-JFK 6/2018


5. MEALS ON INTERNATIONAL/HAWAII FLIGHTS - Main Cabin and Comfort +
All JFK/ATL/MSP-HNL flights along with TATL, TPAC, and most South American destinations include complimentary meals in the economy cabin. Other than select Transcon Flights (see section 6), no free meals are offered in economy within the US/Canada/Mexico/Caribbean. A good rule of thumb is that if the flight offers D1 service (NOT "business class" or "first class") then there may be complimentary meals in the economy cabin. Meal service details can be found in your reservation on delta.com or in the service details when booking the flight.

Breakfast:
Usually a packaged box with a sandwich, yogurt, bread item

Lunch/Dinner:
Typically options offered are:
1) A vegetarian pasta dish (such as ravioli)
2) A chicken dish (such as chicken & mushrooms with rice)
3) A salad with cold chicken (such as greek salad)

Meals are usually served with:
- A main side dish to go with the entrée
- A small bowl of salad
- Bread/roll with butter
- A dessert item

Additionally there will be a pre-arrival snack served:
-Morning arrivals: light breakfast (might include things like fruit, hot egg wrap, pastry, yogurt, etc.)
-Afternoon/evening arrivals: could be a packaged box with several snacks or a light meal (such as small turkey sandwich, small pizza, etc.)

On longer flights a mid-flight snack may be served such as ice cream or a light sandwich. A choice of Biscoff cookies, peanuts, yogurt bar, or pretzels is offered during beverage service.

On flights that offer complimentary economy class meal service, special meals may be ordered through delta.com or by calling customer service. See Section 7 for more information on special meals.

LINKS to recent international Main Cabin menu/meal posts:
MSP-AMS 2/2018
BRU-JFK 2/2018
LHR-MSP 4/2018
BOS-LHR 11/2018
LHR-JFK 3/2019
JFK-MAD 5/2019

6. DOMESTIC ECONOMY SNACKS, MEALS, AND FLIGHT FUEL MENUS
Service in economy depends on the length of the flight:
0-249 miles: No service except water/coffee by request when time permits, except certain routes (BOS-LGA for example).
250-899 miles: Complimentary snacks (see below)
900-1,399 miles: Complimentary snacks plus limited premium snacks for purchase from the Flight Fuel menu. C+ customers will get the C+ snack basket.
1,400+ miles Between 5am and 8pm, all of the Flight Fuel menu selections are available for purchase on US/Canada/Latin America/Caribbean flights in addition to complimentary snacks after takeoff and before arrival.

Domestic Main Cabin Complimentary Snacks:
-Biscoff Cookies
-Snyder's pretzels
The following are only available on flights over 600 miles:
-NatureBox apple cinnamon yogurt bars
-Squirrel brand honey roasted peanuts

Comfort+ Service: all drinks are complimentary, and on flights 900+ miles, a basket of premium complimentary snacks will be offered, with items such as chips, chocolate, crackers and other packaged snacks.

Flight Fuel Buy on Board Service: Delta's buy-on-board program is called "Flight Fuel" (formerly EATS). These menus change, so it is best to check Delta's website for the latest menu. Click here to see more on the food/drink page from delta.com and at the bottom on the left are the current Flight Fuel menus.

Note: certain items are offered only on eastbound or westbound flights, please review the menus carefully. Inventory is limited and not all options are always available.

Flight Fuel Menu current as of November 2017: https://www.delta.com/content/dam/de...uel_Nov_17.pdf

Transcon Economy Meals:
See Press Release Here

This service is currently being offered on the following routes:
JFK-LAX/SFO/PDX/SAN/SEA
BOS-LAX/SFO/SEA
SEA-MCO/RDU
DCA-LAX

Service will include three cold options, different menus are now featured on westbound and eastbound flights as of June 2017. See the DL update from June here.


This was the Eastbound Menu as of October 2019 (Westbound is Different)
-Breakfast: Departing 5am-8:59am

Tillamook Cheese & Fruit Box
Smoked Turkey & Swiss Sandwich


-Lunch: Departing 9am- 3:59pm

Tillamook Cheese & Fruit Box
Turkey Brioche Sandwich


-Dinner: Departing 4pm- 9:00pm
Tillamook Cheese & Fruit Box
Sesame Noodle Salad

-Evening & Redeye Service:
Standard snack service after takeoff (pretzels, peanuts, etc)
Breakfast bar (served during the pre-arrival beverage service)

NOTE:
-Special meals may be ordered for this service
-Flight Fuel will no longer be offered on these routes.
-This will not impact FC/D1 meal service on these flights.
- Comfort+ Passengers on JFK-LAX/SFO will continue to receive mid-flight frozen greek yogurt bar on daytime flights.
- Comfort+ Passengers on these flights will continue to receive the enhanced snack basket.


Transcon Economy Meal Reports

7. SPECIAL MEALS:
Delta offers special meals for a variety of dietary restrictions on all flights in all cabins with complimentary meal service. Special meal service is not offered for domestic flights that only offer snack or refreshment service.
To know if Delta considers what you are being served a meal, check the "meal service" in your reservation or on the booking page while purchasing a ticket. It needs to read "breakfast", "lunch" or "dinner" for this to be a meal service that you can order a special meal for. If it reads "snack" or "refreshments" there will not be special meals available.
You can select special meals by viewing your reservation online or by calling Delta.

-Special meals are not available on flights departing ABQ, ELP, or TUS.
-Special meals are not available on Delta Connection flights.
-The same meal may be served across multiple categories (i.e. the same physical meal may be served for Bland/Diabetic/Low Fat/Low Sodium/Vegetarian).
-Please note that mistakes are widely reported. Confirm your meal request with a gate agent and flight attendant. Passengers with special dietary needs are strongly advised to bring their own snacks in case a catering error occurs.

Sample Special Meals


Meal descriptions are Delta's words. Your Meals May Vary.
• Asian Vegetarian Meal (code AVML) - This is a non‐strict vegetarian meal which is prepared in an Indian style and is usually spicy. No meat, seafood or egg is allowed. This meal may include dairy products. (Sample: May 29 IAH-SLC)
• Baby Meal (code BBML) - Baby food usually boarded in portion jars. (May contain strained fruit, vegetables, meats, desserts, milk & juices.)
• Bland Meal (code BLML) - For those with digestive tract and stomach disorders. Excludes mustard, pickles, garlic, fried and fatty foods.
• Child Meal (code CHML) - Available for children from 2-12 years of age, and includes food offerings which appeal to children. The meals planned follow Recommended Dietary Allowances for children.
• Diabetic Meal (code DBML) - For those who need to manage blood sugar levels. Foods excluded are high in sugars. ( Avoid syrups, jams, cakes and chocolate, unless specifically designed for diabetics.)
• Gluten Free Meal (code GFML) - Foods excluded are wheat or wheat flour, barley oats and rye, bread, cakes (unless wheat free), pastry, sausages or any flour based products. (Allergy related)
• Hindu Meal (code HNML) - Spicy vegetarian combinations with limited use of dairy products. While our meals are meat‐free, some individuals with this diet consume meats of non‐beef/veal/pork origin.
• Japanese Meal (code JPML) - Traditional Multi Course Kaiseki Style Japanese Meal accompanied by steamed rice, miso soup, Japanese pickles and green tea. Available only to D1 customers flying between the USA/Hawaii-Japan.
• Kosher (code KSML) - Kosher meals are prepared by Kosher caterers under Rabbinical supervision and may also incorporate fresh fruit or sealed items, such as individually packaged bagels that meet Kosher laws. Special Kosher for Passover meals are supplied during Passover.
• Regal Kosher (code KSML) - Strict Kosher meals prepared by "Regal" kashrut supervision and may also incorporate fresh fruit or sealed items, such as individually packaged bagels that meet Kosher laws. Special Kosher for Passover meals are supplied during Passover. Only served on JFK-TLV, all cabins.
• Low Fat/Low Cholesterol/Low Calorie Meal (code LFML) - High fiber meal with reduced amounts of fat and sugar.
• Low Sodium Meal (code LSML) - Excludes use of salt, MSG and baking soda/powder, instead herbs and spices are used to flavor the meal.
• Muslim Meal (code MOML) - Does not contain pork, by‐products of pork or foodstuffs containing alcohol. All meats come from ritually slaughtered animals.
• Toddler Meal (code TDML) - Available for children who have begun consuming solid food who need little assistance from the parent, soft, easy‐to‐eat finger foods.
• Vegetarian (Vegan) Meal (code VGML) - Typically cooked in Western style, this meal does not contain meat, seafood, egg and dairy products.
• Vegetarian (Lacto-Ovo) Meal (code VLML) - Prepared in Western style, this is a non‐strict vegetarian meal which can include eggs and dairy products but eliminates all meats and seafood.
• Korean Meal (code KRML) - Korean style Bibimbap with steamed rice, gochujang sauce and sesame oil accompanied by soup, salad and banchan. Available only to D1 customers flying between the USA-Korea.
• Chinese Meal (code CNML) - Components include soup, salad and entrée and feature regional flavors on flights departing China. Available only to D1 customers flying between the USA-China.
DELTA IN-FLIGHT MEAL AND FOOD SERVICES WIKI
Here is the DL.com link with food/beverage information.
Click here for the 2018 version of this thread.

FALL 2018 Note about Delta's new Delta One pre-order option: If you are flying a Delta One route with pre-ordering available, you will be notified to select your meal via email approximately three days prior to departure. You will not see an option in your reservation or in the Fly Delta app. You cannot call in to pre-order your meal (unless you are requesting a special meal, including special asian meals). If you do not receive the email, you cannot pre-order, this is the only way in which DL is currently handling this. Check out this thread for more discussion on this service.

TABLE OF CONTENTS: (Now with anchors!)
1. Beverages:

The following are complimentary in all cabins
Soft drinks: Coca-Cola, Coca-Cola Zero, Diet Coke, Fresca, Sprite, KUAT (flights to/from Brazil only).
Mixers: Mr. & Mrs. "T" Bloody Mary Mix, Seagram's Ginger Ale, Seagram's Sparkling Seltzer Water, Seagram's Tonic Water
Juices and Bottled Water: Minute Maid Apple Juice, Minute Maid Cranberry Apple Cocktail, Minute Maid Orange Juice, tomato juice, bottled water, LaCroix Sparkling Water (on some international flights), San Pellegrino Sparkling Mineral Water (D1 only), Glacéau Smartwater (D1 only), Milk
Hot Drinks: Starbucks coffee, Starbucks VIA decaffeinated instant coffee, Bigelow Tea, Harney & Sons Tea (D1 only)

The following are complimentary in D1/FC/C+ and INTL Y where meal is served. Charge for Y varies.
Beer $6 in Y on domestic/short-haul INTL flights: Heineken, Miller Lite, Samuel Adams Boston Lager, and Blue Moon are available on most US flights. Beyond this, beers vary widely by region: Sweetwater 420 (ATL-DCA/FLL/IAD/LGA/MCO/MIA/MSY/TPA, also on JFK-LAX per Flight Fuel menu), Sierra Nevada Pale Ale, Lagunitas IPA (LAX-SFO only), Stella Artois, Ballast Point, Brooklyn Brewery (Transcon markets only)
Wines: $8 in Y on domestic/short-haul INTL flights:
Economy: red or white available. No sparkling. Typically Wente Vineyards California cabernet and chardonnay or similar.
Only on flights JFK-LAX/SFO in the economy cabin: Delta Winemaker Series, "A unique offering of half bottle (375 ML) California Wines selected by Delta’s Master Sommelier, Andrea Robinson." ($14.99)
Domestic First: Wente Vineyards Cabernet or Chardonnay
Business Class: (US-Canada/Mexico/Caribbean) Domestic first service + Sparkling Wine offered pre-departure (and pre-departure only if allowed per customs policies).
Delta One Fine Wines– selected by Master Sommelier Andrea Robinson
NOTE: Changes are frequent and may not match what is listed on delta.com, or even on the printed onboard menu.
Expect the following:
  • Two whites, one “Light Bodied” and one “Medium Bodied”
  • Two reds, one “Medium Bodied” and one “Full Bodied”
  • Port and possibly one additional dessert wine
  • Champagne
Delta.com link to “current” wine list
Spirits $8 in Y on domestic/short-haul INTL flights: CazadoresTequila, Bacardi Rum, Bailey’s Irish Cream Cordial, Bombay Sapphire Dry Gin, Canadian Club Reserve Whisky, Dewar’s Scotch, Finlandia Vodka, Grey Goose Vodka (D1 only), Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whiskey, Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Honey Whiskey, Jack Daniel's Single Barrel Whiskey (D1 only), Woodford Reserve Small Batch Bourbon
Mixed Drinks (aka “Featured Beverages”) $8 in Y on domestic/short-haul INTL flights:
Blue Diamond - featuring Bombay Sapphire Dry Gin, Seagram's Tonic Water, and a splash of apple juice
Margarita - Featuring Cazadores Tequila and Stirrings (verify) Margarita (mix).
Mai Tai - A Hawaiian favorite, Bacardi® Select Rum infused with exotic fruit flavors. (Hawaii Flight Fuel only)*unknown if this is still offered as DL no longer shows a Hawaii Flight Fuel menu

2. DELTA ONE - INTERCONTINENTAL FLIGHTS
Note: See Transcon Delta One (Section 3) for flights such as JFK-LAX featuring D1 service, or see domestic first/business class service (Section 5) for other flights.
The meals that you will see on Delta One will vary by destination and origin.

If you are flying a Delta One route with pre-ordering available, you will be notified to select your meal via email approximately three days prior to departure. You will not see an option in your reservation or in the Fly Delta app. You cannot call in to pre-order your meal (unless you are requesting a special meal, including special asian meals). If you do not receive the email, you cannot pre-order, this is the only way in which DL is currently handling this.
Check out this thread for more discussion on this service.

Delta One International Meals feature the following Chefs:
Transpacific Flights: Chef Masatoshi Ishimoto
Atlanta-Europe Flights: Chef Linton Hopkins
JFK-Select Europe: Winter 2017 chef/meals TBA
Asian meals may be pre-ordered in D1 on flights to/from Japan, China and Korea, using the normal Special Meals request process. See Transpacific Flights and the Special Meals section below. Pre-ordering recommended to guarantee availability.

This is the typical order of D1 service but can vary based on route/destination (note this does not apply to transcons):
-Cold appetizer (only one option)
-Soup and salad with choice of dressing, along with bread and butter (one option for soup or salad, but for bread there are usually three options to choose from)
-Main entrée: Beef, Chicken, Seafood, Pasta, Cold Plate, Regional Dish (typically four options)
-Dessert: Ice Cream with choice of toppings, Cheese Plate, or other sweets such as pie
-Self-service snack basket in galley, or Mid-flight light meal (Ultra-long haul only): Western and Asian cold plates. On TATL westbound flights there may be a warm chocolate chip cookie service.
-Pre-Arrival Breakfast: (eastbound flights) Egg dish with meat or Granola cereal with milk, if it is a PM arrival it will feature something like a sandwich or pizza with a hot breakfast option like an egg dish.
-Pre-Arrival Lunch: (westbound flights) Hot sandwich or cold salad

LINKS to current D1 intercontinental menu/meal posts:
Please add your links to your posts to the list below. Note: This section features only current menus, click on this link to see an archive of older D1 menus.

ICN-ATL 1/2018
IAD-LHR (VS) 4/2018
AMS-DTW 4/2018
MSP-AMS 4/2018
HND-MSP 4/2018
AMS-DTW 4/2018
ATL-AMS 5/2018
AMS-MSP 5/2018
MSP-AMS 5/2018
AMS-SEA 7/2018
JFK-BRU 7/2018
ICN-SEA 8/2018
PRG-JFK 8/2018
AMS-LAX 11/2018
LAX-AMS 11/2018

ADDITIONAL region-specific Delta One meal details:
TRANSPACIFIC FLIGHTS - CHEF MASATOSHI ISHIMOTO
Flights to/from Japan-USA
• “Kaiseki” style Japanese meals are offered as an option to customers in the D1 cabin
• Customers flying in the D1 cabin to/from Japan may pre-order a Japanese meal up to 24 hours prior to scheduled flight departure through My Trips or by calling DL Reservations. Once you check in, let the gate agent and a flight attendant know that you ordered a special meal.
• Entrées with a Japanese flair are offered as an option to customers in the Economy cabin
• All customers can choose from a selection of Japanese beverages including Asahi, Suntory Premium Malt, Kirin Ichiban, and Sake
FLIGHTS TO/FROM JAPAN-HONOLULU
• Menu selections for the D1 cabin and Economy cabin feature meals with both Japanese and Hawaiian flavors
• All customers can choose from a selection of Japanese beverages including; Asahi, Suntory Premium Malt and Kirin Ichiban beers, Sake and a choice of Hawaiian juices
FLIGHTS TO/FROM KOREA-USA
DTW-ICN Korean meals are catered by local Korean restaurant Bi Bim Bab in Novi.
• Korean meals and beverages are available as an option to all customers, including OB beer
FLIGHTS TO/FROM CHINA-USA
• Chinese Meals and Beverages are available as an option to all customers, including Tsingtao beer
INTER-ASIA FLIGHTS
• All flights flying within Delta’s Intra-Asia markets feature menu options with both western and regional flavors in all cabins

3. TRANSCON DELTA ONE
This is a signature service for select transcon flights. It includes a three course meal, except on red-eye flights which have a lighter one course offering. Flights departing from JFK feature meals from Union Square Hospitality Group's restaurants in NYC. Soon flights departing from LAX will feature meals from local chefs Jon Shook and Vinny Dotolo, see DL article here. Note: there is no special chef menu for flights departing from SFO, BOS, or DCA. See press release on newest D1 routes and enhancements here.

D1 Transcon service is offered on all flights on the following routes:
JFK-LAX/SFO, BOS-SFO, DCA-LAX, and ATL/MSP-HNL

D1 Transcon service is offered on some (not all) flights on the following routes effective April 1, 2018 (see exception below)
JFK-SAN (1 of 3 flights), SEA (2 of 4 flights), and LAS beginning on May 1, 2018 (1 of 5 flights)
BOS-LAX (2 of 3 flights)

Service is usually the following:
Breakfast flights
-Two starters (both given)
-Main course (three choices)
-Chocolate Chip Cookie

Lunch/Dinner flights
-Starter, soup and salad
-Main course (three choices)
-Dessert (two choices)
-Chocolate Chip/Mint Cookie


LINKS to recent Transcon D1 menu/meal posts:
Please add your links to your posts to the list below. Note: This section features only current menus, click on this link to see an archive of older D1 menus.

Breakfast
BOS-SFO 1/2018

Lunch/Dinner
SFO-BOS 1/2018
JFK-SFO 1/2018
JFK-SFO 2/2018
JFK-SFO 2/2018
SFO-JFK 2/2018
SFO-JFK 5/2018
JFK-SFO 5/2018
SFO-JFK 6/2018
JFK-SFO 7/2018
JFK-LAX 10/2018


4. MEALS IN DOMESTIC FIRST CLASS (WITHIN THE US) OR IN BUSINESS CLASS (TO CANADA/MEXICO/CARRIBEAN, ETC.)
First Class meal service is provided on all flights 900 miles or greater. "Business Class" is the same service as domestic first but for trans-border North American flights that do not offer D1 service, usually found on routes between the USA and Caribbean, Canada, Mexico, and Central America. One differentiation for Business Class flights is that sparkling wine is offered pre-departure as with all Delta international flights.
Please note:
-The content in this section doesn't apply to transoceanic or transcon D1 flights
-There are a few flights under 900 miles where DL does provide First Class meal service because other airlines offer meal service on the same route. See the list below.
-West Coast flights between LAX-SFO are served LUVO light snack trays (with items such as carrots, hummus and crackers, etc). These flights also offer free beer (including a local selection) and wine in the coach cabin.

Routes that are known exceptions to the 900-mile minimum:
- ATL-EWR/LGA/JFK
- LGA/JFK-ORD
- SEA-SFO/SMF/SJC

Meal service is determined by distance flown and time of departure:
0-250 miles: Only Biscoff cookies, peanuts, and pretzels
251-899 miles: Full snack basket is offered
900-1399 miles: Meals are served for flights departing 5am-1:30pm and 4pm to 8pm. This can vary slightly by flight, so it is best to check the reservation notes on delta.com. At other times a snack basket is passed around the cabin (see above).
1400+ miles: Full meal service will be offered between 5am-8pm. Breakfast is served for flights departing up to 9:45AM, and full lunch/dinner service after that.

Examples of snacks offered:
Morning flights (departures 05:00-09:45) offer peanuts, pretzels, Biscoff cookies, biscotti, bananas, Otis Spunkmeyer muffins and Quaker Oats chewy granola bars.
Afternoon/evening: peanuts, pretzels, apples, Twix, Toblerone, Sun Chips and Walkers shortbread cookies.

NOTE: For flights departing between 8pm and 9pm a light meal service, referred to as "snack" on delta.com, will be offered. This is often a source of confusion because delta.com lists full meal service for 1400+ mile flights as going until 9pm, but the reservation online will list "snack" and not "dinner." Also, there have been recent reports of longer redeye flights being served a pre-arrival breakfast, but there is not great information available about this. If your flight lists "snack" instead of "none" for meal service, this is a good sign that you will have some food service. If departure is after 9pm and before 5am, it will probably be a pre-arrival breakfast. See sample menu below.

SAMPLE MENUS
The meals you may see listed here are general examples and your flight may not have the option(s) listed here. These are solely from the words of fellow FTers (and please remember the times are based upon the flight's departure time):

Note: If you are flying a DL Connection flight, most meal service is cold as the majority of these planes are not equipped with ovens. There are reports that certain CRJ-900's are equipped with "warmers" but there is no way to know this in advance.

All domestic first class meals are served on Delta signature dishes with real flatware, glasses, etc.

Breakfast (5:45am-9:45am) There is generally a hot and cold option offered. Hot option usually has an entrée, side dish, bread (bagel/muffin/etc), and fruit. The cold option is generally a cereal with yogurt, bread item, and fruit. See the sample menus below for a better idea on what to expect.
Lunch (9:46am-3:59pm): Typically served with fresh fruit (or another side). This is typically a lighter meal. See the sample menus below for a better idea on what to expect. NOTE: No meal service on flights departing 1:30pm-3:59pm for flights under 1400 miles.
Dinner (4pm-8pm): All meals are typically served with bread, salad, and a dessert item such as a cookie. See the sample menus below for a better idea on what to expect.
1400+ mile flights departing 8pm-9pm: Typically there is only one option offered such as a hot sandwich served with chips and a cookie. Full snack basket will also be offered.
Hawaii Routes: for West Coast departures (LAX/SLC/SFO/SEA/PDX) it is just like domestic F service in both directions. For ATL/MSP-HNL see Transcon D1.

Sample Menus from First Class menu/meal posts (within last year):
Please add links to your posts to the list below

Breakfast:
MSP-CLT 1/2018
MSP-BOS 1/2018
JFK - ATL 4/2018
LAS-ATL 05/2018
SJU-JFK 5/2018
MSP-BOS 7/2018
LGA-ATL 7/2018

Lunch:
DTW-CUN 1/2018
ORD-JFK 1/2018
SFO-SEA 1/2018
MSP-IAD 4/2018
LGA-ATL 6/2018
ATL-LGA 6/2018
AUS-DTW 8/2018
JFK-SDQ 9/2018

Dinner:
SEA-SNA 1/2018
DTW-LAS 4/2018
PHL-MSP 6/2018
SEA-SFO 8/2018
SJC-SEA 9/2018
SEA-JFK 9/2018 (red-eye)

JFK/MSP/ATL-HNL
HNL-MSP 3/2018
MSP-HNL 3/2018
DTW-LAS 4/2018 VGML

Other D1-lite routes (e.g. JFK-MEX, ATL-MDE)
Breakfast:

Lunch/Dinner:
MEX-JFK 6/2018


5. MEALS ON INTERNATIONAL/HAWAII FLIGHTS - Main Cabin and Comfort +
All JFK/ATL/MSP-HNL flights along with TATL, TPAC, and most South American destinations include complimentary meals in the economy cabin. Other than select Transcon Flights (see section 6), no free meals are offered in economy within the US/Canada/Mexico/Caribbean. A good rule of thumb is that if the flight offers D1 service (NOT "business class" or "first class") then there may be complimentary meals in the economy cabin. Meal service details can be found in your reservation on delta.com or in the service details when booking the flight.

Breakfast:
Usually a packaged box with a sandwich, yogurt, bread item

Lunch/Dinner:
Typically options offered are:
1) A vegetarian pasta dish (such as ravioli)
2) A chicken dish (such as chicken & mushrooms with rice)
3) A salad with cold chicken (such as greek salad)

Meals are usually served with:
- A main side dish to go with the entrée
- A small bowl of salad
- Bread/roll with butter
- A dessert item

Additionally there will be a pre-arrival snack served:
-Morning arrivals: light breakfast (might include things like fruit, hot egg wrap, pastry, yogurt, etc.)
-Afternoon/evening arrivals: could be a packaged box with several snacks or a light meal (such as small turkey sandwich, small pizza, etc.)

On longer flights a mid-flight snack may be served such as ice cream or a light sandwich. A choice of Biscoff cookies, peanuts, yogurt bar, or pretzels is offered during beverage service.

On flights that offer complimentary economy class meal service, special meals may be ordered through delta.com or by calling customer service. See Section 7 for more information on special meals.

LINKS to recent international Main Cabin menu/meal posts:
MSP-AMS 2/2018
BRU-JFK 2/2018
LHR-MSP 4/2018
BOS-LHR 11/2018

6. DOMESTIC ECONOMY SNACKS, MEALS, AND FLIGHT FUEL MENUS
Service in economy depends on the length of the flight:
0-249 miles: No service except water/coffee by request when time permits, except certain routes (BOS-LGA for example).
250-899 miles: Complimentary snacks (see below)
900-1,399 miles: Complimentary snacks plus limited premium snacks for purchase from the Flight Fuel menu. C+ customers will get the C+ snack basket.
1,400+ miles Between 5am and 8pm, all of the Flight Fuel menu selections are available for purchase on US/Canada/Latin America/Caribbean flights in addition to complimentary snacks after takeoff and before arrival.

Domestic Main Cabin Complimentary Snacks:
-Biscoff Cookies
-Snyder's pretzels
The following are only available on flights over 600 miles:
-NatureBox apple cinnamon yogurt bars
-Squirrel brand honey roasted peanuts

Comfort+ Service: all drinks are complimentary, and on flights 900+ miles, a basket of premium complimentary snacks will be offered, with items such as chips, chocolate, crackers and other packaged snacks.

Flight Fuel Buy on Board Service: Delta's buy-on-board program is called "Flight Fuel" (formerly EATS). These menus change, so it is best to check Delta's website for the latest menu. Click here to see more on the food/drink page from delta.com and at the bottom on the left are the current Flight Fuel menus.

Note: certain items are offered only on eastbound or westbound flights, please review the menus carefully. Inventory is limited and not all options are always available.

Flight Fuel Menu current as of November 2017: https://www.delta.com/content/dam/de...uel_Nov_17.pdf

Transcon Economy Meals:
See Press Release Here

This service is currently being offered on the following routes:
JFK-LAX/SFO/PDX/SAN/SEA
BOS-LAX/SFO/SEA
SEA-FLL/MCO/RDU
DCA-LAX

Service will include three cold options, different menus are now featured on westbound and eastbound flights as of June 2017. See the DL update from June here.

This was the menu from March 2017 but this has changed.
-Breakfast: Departing 5am-8:59am
Honey Maple Breakfast Sandwich
Luvo Breakfast Wrap
Fruit and cheese plate

-Lunch/Dinner: Departing 9am-8pm
Mesquite-Smoked Turkey Combo,
Luvo Mediterranean Whole Grain Veggie Wrap
Fruit and cheese plate.

-Evening & Redeye Service:
Standard snack service after takeoff (pretzels, peanuts, etc)
Breakfast bar (served during the pre-arrival beverage service)

NOTE:
-Special meals may be ordered for this service
-Flight Fuel will no longer be offered on these routes.
-This will not impact FC/D1 meal service on these flights.
- Comfort+ Passengers on JFK-LAX/SFO will continue to receive mid-flight frozen greek yogurt bar on daytime flights.
- Comfort+ Passengers on these flights will continue to receive the enhanced snack basket.

Transcon Economy Meal Reports

7. SPECIAL MEALS:
Delta offers special meals for a variety of dietary restrictions on all flights in all cabins with complimentary meal service. Special meal service is not offered for domestic flights that only offer snack or refreshment service.
To know if Delta considers what you are being served a meal, check the "meal service" in your reservation or on the booking page while purchasing a ticket. It needs to read "breakfast", "lunch" or "dinner" for this to be a meal service that you can order a special meal for. If it reads "snack" or "refreshments" there will not be special meals available.
You can select special meals by viewing your reservation online or by calling Delta.

-Special meals are not available on flights departing ABQ, ELP, or TUS.
-Special meals are not available on Delta Connection flights.
-The same meal may be served across multiple categories (i.e. the same physical meal may be served for Bland/Diabetic/Low Fat/Low Sodium/Vegetarian).
-Please note that mistakes are widely reported. Confirm your meal request with a gate agent and flight attendant. Passengers with special dietary needs are strongly advised to bring their own snacks in case a catering error occurs.

Sample Special Meals


Meal descriptions are Delta's words. Your Meals May Vary.
• Asian Vegetarian Meal (code AVML) - This is a non‐strict vegetarian meal which is prepared in an Indian style and is usually spicy. No meat, seafood or egg is allowed. This meal may include dairy products. (Sample: May 29 IAH-SLC)
• Baby Meal (code BBML) - Baby food usually boarded in portion jars. (May contain strained fruit, vegetables, meats, desserts, milk & juices.)
• Bland Meal (code BLML) - For those with digestive tract and stomach disorders. Excludes mustard, pickles, garlic, fried and fatty foods.
• Child Meal (code CHML) - Available for children from 2-12 years of age, and includes food offerings which appeal to children. The meals planned follow Recommended Dietary Allowances for children.
• Diabetic Meal (code DBML) - For those who need to manage blood sugar levels. Foods excluded are high in sugars. ( Avoid syrups, jams, cakes and chocolate, unless specifically designed for diabetics.)
• Gluten Free Meal (code GFML) - Foods excluded are wheat or wheat flour, barley oats and rye, bread, cakes (unless wheat free), pastry, sausages or any flour based products. (Allergy related)
• Hindu Meal (code HNML) - Spicy vegetarian combinations with limited use of dairy products. While our meals are meat‐free, some individuals with this diet consume meats of non‐beef/veal/pork origin.
• Japanese Meal (code JPML) - Traditional Multi Course Kaiseki Style Japanese Meal accompanied by steamed rice, miso soup, Japanese pickles and green tea. Available only to D1 customers flying between the USA/Hawaii-Japan.
• Kosher (code KSML) - Kosher meals are prepared by Kosher caterers under Rabbinical supervision and may also incorporate fresh fruit or sealed items, such as individually packaged bagels that meet Kosher laws. Special Kosher for Passover meals are supplied during Passover.
• Regal Kosher (code KSML) - Strict Kosher meals prepared by "Regal" kashrut supervision and may also incorporate fresh fruit or sealed items, such as individually packaged bagels that meet Kosher laws. Special Kosher for Passover meals are supplied during Passover. Only served on JFK-TLV, all cabins.
• Low Fat/Low Cholesterol/Low Calorie Meal (code LFML) - High fiber meal with reduced amounts of fat and sugar.
• Low Sodium Meal (code LSML) - Excludes use of salt, MSG and baking soda/powder, instead herbs and spices are used to flavor the meal.
• Muslim Meal (code MOML) - Does not contain pork, by‐products of pork or foodstuffs containing alcohol. All meats come from ritually slaughtered animals.
• Toddler Meal (code TDML) - Available for children who have begun consuming solid food who need little assistance from the parent, soft, easy‐to‐eat finger foods.
• Vegetarian (Vegan) Meal (code VGML) - Typically cooked in Western style, this meal does not contain meat, seafood, egg and dairy products.
• Vegetarian (Lacto-Ovo) Meal (code VLML) - Prepared in Western style, this is a non‐strict vegetarian meal which can include eggs and dairy products but eliminates all meats and seafood.
• Korean Meal (code KRML) - Korean style Bibimbap with steamed rice, gochujang sauce and sesame oil accompanied by soup, salad and banchan. Available only to D1 customers flying between the USA-Korea.
• Chinese Meal (code CNML) - Components include soup, salad and entrée and feature regional flavors on flights departing China. Available only to D1 customers flying between the USA-China.
Print Wikipost

Delta In-Flight Meal/Food Service: The Definitive Thread — 2018/2019 Edition

Old Feb 19, 2018, 7:08 pm
  #211  
 
Join Date: Mar 2010
Programs: DL PM, Bonvoy Gold
Posts: 8,411
Originally Posted by danielonn
Stop it with the complaints please. Are you expecting a 4 star Michelin rated meal? My fellow FTers I know fine dining and I have learned to curb my expectations. Domestic First class except for D1 will never be like International First Class.. When the Flight Attendant comes around with the choices please accept them graciously. Remember the Flight Attendants like waiters did not chose the menu for the flight let alone work for the catering department. Your options are Do you want to eat Sir/Madam followed by the choices.

If you do want to eat then say Yes Please I'll have (Option 1 Option 2) or No Thank You. Remember no one is forcing you to eat. I consider the meal in First Class a way to not be hungry when flying and use it for substance rather than pondering if the meal is good or not. If I taste the food and its not to my liking then I am not going to turn around and snap my fingers and say"Hey Flight Attendant this was the worst meal possible". Listen folks we are not on the ground in a restaurant who can remake the dish or offer us another choice. Perhaps the meal selections and number of each hot/cold items were done months in advance by Yield Management.

With a glass of Red Wine or a Spirit like Gin and Tonic or Woodford Reserve that will mitigate any poor tasting meals. Then with the Snack Basket or Biscoffs that will be fine on the flight.

If the meal were the reason you were flying First Class then might I suggest you wait and fly La Premier on Air France? Or make your own meal to bring onboard. Who says you can't go to Whole Foods and make a Baguette Sandwich with High end meats and cheeses or create your own cheese platter and supplement it with the alcohol served on board?

Who here agrees with me that you should be happy with what is put in front of you? I was brought up to be gracious what was put in front of me and just live with my selection. Its not the end of the world as when I land at my destination anyways I will go for a good diner at a local restaurant or a happy hour.

Flying is a mode of transportation. I fly First Class for a quieter cabin not for a $200 meal at The French Laundry.

So your meal was served not to your liking do you think they cater extra meals all the time? Just smile and remember you are not obligated to finish it or even touch the salmon fish.

I don't think that anyone is expecting fine dining, nor do the vast majority of complaints in this thread reflect that kind of expectation. One recent poster has had rather obnoxious expectations, but that's not the majority, or even close to it.

I don't know anyone who has reported snapping their fingers at the flight attendant or expecting that an F/A could do anything about a meal on board.

At the same time, when someone pays to sit in a premium cabin that advertises, and I quote, "full chef-curated meal service" as part of the first class experience, it is reasonable to expect that the food will be decent. It is reasonable, for example, to expect that bread won't be soggy or frozen, or that a salad will consist of more than a few pieces of shredded iceberg lettuce. While I agree that one can't expect the same level of service that one might expect in a international J or F cabin, one can certainly expect food that is of higher quality than institutional cafeteria lunch food. It is all the more frustrating to have sub-par meal service at a time when they are selling, rather than giving away via upgrades, more first class seats than ever.
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Old Feb 19, 2018, 10:26 pm
  #212  
 
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Tokyo, JP
Programs: DL DM/2 MM, Marriott Lifetime Titanium, National Exec Elite, Hilton Gold
Posts: 288
JFK - SFO
Lunch
February 2018

Same menu from an earlier this month


SETTLING IN

Signature Cocktail
Enjoy our Signature Delta Sunrise Cocktail featuring
Bombay Sapphire Gin with cranberry-apple juice
and a splash of ginger ale.

Union Square Café Bar Nuts


STARTERS

Slow-Poached Lobster with Celeriac Remoulade
black truffle and citrus vinaigrette

Bibb Lettuce with Winter Green Goddess Dressing
sunflower seed granola and shaved vegetables

Celery Root and Parsnip Bisque


MAIN COURSE

Braised Flatiron Steak
wild rice and black-eyed pea pilaf, scallion, avocado and pickled chili

Slow Roasted Chicken Breast with Broccoli Rabe
mascarpone potato salad and cipollini onion agrodolce

Ricotta and Winter Truffle Cannelloni
wild mushroom ragout and Parmesan brodo


DESSERTS

Vanilla Fudge Swirl Ice Cream

blood orange and cardamom caramel sauce, ginger bread crumble

Fruit and Cheese Plate
Cypress Grove Midnight Moon, Buttermilk Blue Affinee
Kaltbach Gruyere, fruit, crackers


ALMOST THERE

Chocolate Mint Cookie

.




SmartSky is offline  
Old Feb 19, 2018, 10:44 pm
  #213  
 
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Tokyo, JP
Programs: DL DM/2 MM, Marriott Lifetime Titanium, National Exec Elite, Hilton Gold
Posts: 288
SFO - JFK
Lunch
February 2018



SETTLING IN

Signature Cocktail
Enjoy our Signature Delta Sunrise Cocktail featuring Bombay Sapphire
Gin with cranberry-apple juice and a splash of ginger ale

Premium Heated Nuts
salted cashews, pecans, almonds and pistachios


STARTERS

Antipasto
with eggplant caponata, marinated mozzarella, coppa, asparagus and
baby pea spread

Romaine Salad
with cucumbers, grape tomatoes and balsamic vinaigrette

Garden Vegetable Soup


MAIN COURSE

Pan-Seared Beef Tenderloin
finished with savory sriracha butter and served with cedar plank roasted
vegetables, fingering potatoes and baby carrots
* Srirach Butter on the side
* The Steak was very tough, and I didn't eat it

Chicken Verjus
served with lemon thyme mashed potatoes and haricot vert

Penne Pasta with Basil Pesto
with sautéed broccoli raab and grated Sonoma Jack cheese


DESSERTS

Vanilla Ice Cream Sundae

Fruit & Cheese Plate
Cypress Grove Midnight Moon, Buttermilk Blue Affinee, Kaltbach Gruyere
with fresh fruit and crackers


ALMOST THERE

Chocolate Chip Cooke
.
.






Last edited by SmartSky; Feb 19, 2018 at 11:04 pm
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Old Feb 19, 2018, 11:15 pm
  #214  
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
 
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,296
Originally Posted by SFOandNRT
JFK - SFO
Lunch
February 2018

Same menu from an earlier this month
Had the same menu for dinner JFK-SFO today.

Flatiron steak - texture was all wrong. Took a couple bites and pushed it away.
Ice cream had an off flavor.

Two terrible dinners in a row on this route. The race to the bottom accelerates.

Stopped at In-n-Out Millbrae on the way home. The double-double was outstanding
Kacee is online now  
Old Feb 20, 2018, 6:38 am
  #215  
 
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: NYC, BOS, ORD
Programs: AA EXP, DL PM
Posts: 840
Originally Posted by WWads
The chocolate graham crackers are back.
Thank goodness! I've been looking for these the past few weeks...
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Old Feb 20, 2018, 7:02 am
  #216  
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Join Date: Jun 2005
Programs: Delta Diamond, Marriott Ambassador & Lifetime Titanium, Hertz President's Circle, United Silver
Posts: 6,334
Originally Posted by danielonn
Stop it with the complaints please. Are you expecting a 4 star Michelin rated meal? My fellow FTers I know fine dining and I have learned to curb my expectations. Domestic First class except for D1 will never be like International First Class.. When the Flight Attendant comes around with the choices please accept them graciously.
Look. Delta has seriously raised expectations because of the way it has promoted its food and drinks the last few years now. Five years ago, I wouldn't have waited for the flight to eat. Now, the meal and drinks are, at least 75% of the time, as good as what I could get from the lousy airport restaurants. Yes, there are some bad meals or bad wines, but by and large things are much improved. Still, Delta and Delta alone has raised expectations, especially in routes firth Delta One business-class service.

Delta would be well-served to finally allow passengers to pre-order exactly what they want, even if it involved a small nominal charge.
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Old Feb 20, 2018, 7:28 am
  #217  
TTT
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Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: 45° North
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Posts: 10,196
BRU-JFK
DL43 767
Feb 2018

First Service:
  • Tomato and Olive Crusted Chicken
  • Lasagna with Grilled Vegetables
  • Chicken Milanese Salad with Cheddar Cheese and Tomatoes
Dessert:
  • Double Chocolate Sea Salt Truffle
Meals were served with the usual salad, bread, & cheese and crakers

Mid-Flight Snack
  • Ice Cream
Pre-Arrival Meal
  • Turkey and Cranberry Wrap
  • Cream Cheese and Tomato Roll
Menu indicated it was the same for CDG-US (short-haul) as well.



I had the salad during the first service. It was very tasty and fresh - that will be my go-to when offered from now on.


I had the turkey/cranberry wrap for the second service. It was pretty bad - the tortilla was soggy and the inside components were 3/5 sauerkraut, 1/5 turkey, 1/5 cranberry, the latter two could not be tasted over the sauerkraut (and I like sauerkraut). It did come with a nice little chocolate bar though.

Last edited by TTT; Feb 20, 2018 at 1:13 pm
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Old Feb 20, 2018, 8:04 am
  #218  
 
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Long Beach, CA
Programs: DL DM
Posts: 5,292
Originally Posted by hockeyinsider
Delta would be well-served to finally allow passengers to pre-order exactly what they want, even if it involved a small nominal charge.
an array of side dishes, perhaps? You could be your own Congress of Chefs to decide what best to pair with your chicken?
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Old Feb 20, 2018, 8:06 am
  #219  
 
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Long Beach, CA
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Originally Posted by TTT
JFK-BRU
DL43 767
Feb 2018

I had the salad during the first service. It was very tasty and fresh - that will be my go-to when offered from now on.
.
I agree with you on the salads. The BEST option in economy, in my opinion. I've never had one that wasn't on-par with domestic F in quality.
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Old Feb 20, 2018, 8:21 am
  #220  
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SLC-DTW
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Lunch (158pm scheduled departure)
PDB - no (but we were running late and there were tight connections to be made in DTW)

Choice of pork meatballs or a bbq chicken salad

Have you ever seen a FC FA stand at the front of the cabin and shout out the meal choices? This one did and when someone asked what the choices were, he then said "you didn't pay attention when I announced them?" He also shouted out that since this was an odd flight number he would be taking orders from the back first. DTW based crew.



Nice to see a non plastic wrapped dessert option


Last edited by AANYC1981; Feb 20, 2018 at 12:51 pm
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Old Feb 20, 2018, 8:46 am
  #221  
 
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Originally Posted by danielonn
Or make your own meal to bring onboard.
Welcome to my world.
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Old Feb 20, 2018, 11:28 am
  #222  
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Originally Posted by bubbashow
an array of side dishes, perhaps? You could be your own Congress of Chefs to decide what best to pair with your chicken?
I was referring to main course. Delta has been saying they would allow pre-ordering of meals for like three years now. American has had it for years and, it seems anyways, it works just fine on American. Other airlines offer it as well. At the very minimum, Delta could offer a "beef," "pork," "salad" and "fish" option along with its existing special meals.

Delta could even make money by selling first-class meals to those seating in economy or comfort-plus. Some of the foreign airlines also customers in the back to buy premium meals at the time of booking.
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Old Feb 20, 2018, 11:57 am
  #223  
 
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"I don't think that anyone is expecting fine dining, nor do the vast majority of complaints in this thread reflect that kind of expectation. One recent poster has had rather obnoxious expectations, but that's not the majority, or even close to it.

I don't know anyone who has reported snapping their fingers at the flight attendant or expecting that an F/A could do anything about a meal on board.

At the same time, when someone pays to sit in a premium cabin that advertises, and I quote, "full chef-curated meal service" as part of the first class experience, it is reasonable to expect that the food will be decent. It is reasonable, for example, to expect that bread won't be soggy or frozen, or that a salad will consist of more than a few pieces of shredded iceberg lettuce. While I agree that one can't expect the same level of service that one might expect in a international J or F cabin, one can certainly expect food that is of higher quality than institutional cafeteria lunch food. It is all the more frustrating to have sub-par meal service at a time when they are selling, rather than giving away via upgrades, more first class seats than ever." Very well said - sorry the FT quote system isn't working. Nobody blames an FA for this and I have never seen anyone complain to an FA about a meal. Several times I have seen FAs recognize "the look on someone's face" that they were disappointed with the meal and offer one of the coach snack boxes or an extra pass at the snack basket, which has always been very well received. Also, nobody expects fine dining, but we also know what Delta is capable of because of what they executed in 2015. Although not 5 star quality, the food was undoubtedly good. We see portions, quality and creativity declining rapidly in a very short period of time, while the PR fluff about how "amazing" the food is only gets more inflated. Whether in life or in business, I always try to manage expectations and deliver on what you say you are going to do (a promise). Delta has failed in that regard. They can do whatever they want with upgrades - if you didn't buy the seat, its not yours, but if a person or a company is going to fail to deliver on their promise or marketing, I am going to do my best to hold them accountable (and by them I mean the appropriate entity, not the FA) as they would do (and I want them to do) to me.
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Old Feb 20, 2018, 11:59 am
  #224  
 
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New rotation, choice was sea bass (mine below) and beef.
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Old Feb 20, 2018, 2:06 pm
  #225  
 
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Originally Posted by danielonn
Stop it with the complaints please. Are you expecting a 4 star Michelin rated meal? My fellow FTers I know fine dining and I have learned to curb my expectations. Domestic First class except for D1 will never be like International First Class.. When the Flight Attendant comes around with the choices please accept them graciously. Remember the Flight Attendants like waiters did not chose the menu for the flight let alone work for the catering department. Your options are Do you want to eat Sir/Madam followed by the choices.

If you do want to eat then say Yes Please I'll have (Option 1 Option 2) or No Thank You. Remember no one is forcing you to eat. I consider the meal in First Class a way to not be hungry when flying and use it for substance rather than pondering if the meal is good or not. If I taste the food and its not to my liking then I am not going to turn around and snap my fingers and say"Hey Flight Attendant this was the worst meal possible". Listen folks we are not on the ground in a restaurant who can remake the dish or offer us another choice. Perhaps the meal selections and number of each hot/cold items were done months in advance by Yield Management.

With a glass of Red Wine or a Spirit like Gin and Tonic or Woodford Reserve that will mitigate any poor tasting meals. Then with the Snack Basket or Biscoffs that will be fine on the flight.

If the meal were the reason you were flying First Class then might I suggest you wait and fly La Premier on Air France? Or make your own meal to bring onboard. Who says you can't go to Whole Foods and make a Baguette Sandwich with High end meats and cheeses or create your own cheese platter and supplement it with the alcohol served on board?

Who here agrees with me that you should be happy with what is put in front of you? I was brought up to be gracious what was put in front of me and just live with my selection. Its not the end of the world as when I land at my destination anyways I will go for a good diner at a local restaurant or a happy hour.

Flying is a mode of transportation. I fly First Class for a quieter cabin not for a $200 meal at The French Laundry.

So your meal was served not to your liking do you think they cater extra meals all the time? Just smile and remember you are not obligated to finish it or even touch the salmon fish.
I couldn't fathom caring enough about fellow FT'ers thoughts on airplane food to type this up.
Guess some take this thread a little more seriously than I do.

Last edited by apodo77; Feb 20, 2018 at 9:00 pm
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