Mar 24, 2020, 6:20 pm
Last edit by: xliioper
**Update 7/21/21 North America, Latin America, and Caribbean***
- 6/15 Hot meal service returns to select D1/FC Transcon flights - JFK-SEA/SFO/LAX + BOS-SEA/LAX
- 6/15 Snack basket returns to select FC/C+/and D1 flights as well as Y Flight Fuel Box sales returning
- 7/28 (limited to SEA/SFO/LAX/SLC to/from hubs/focus cities) Meals on FC flights over 1500 miles departing before 9PM. Meals will likely be cold/uncooked items like salads and sandwiches.
- 8/17 and 8/24 Remaining FC flights over 1500 miles get meals.
- 8/24 hub-to-hub (inc. focus cities) routes between 900 and 1500 miles get meals
- 8/31 full restoration of old meal service standard (meal windows seem to be gone) with all FC flights between 900-1500 miles getting meals
https://news.delta.com/la-chefs-jon-shook-vinny-dotolo-headline-return-fresh-meals-deltas-premium-domestic-cabins
**Update 4/14 North America, Latin America, and Caribbean***
All Cabins, Purell wipe or similar during boarding
Beverages: 7.5oz mini cans: Coke, Diet Coke, Sprite, Ginger Ale, Tonic, Club, Orange, Cran, Bloody Mary Mix, Coffee Tea, Water.
Spirits: Finlandia Vodka, Jack, Bombay Gin, Woodford, Tip Top Old Fashioned & Margarita, Sweetwater 420 & Hazy IPA, Miller Lite, White/Red/Sparkling Wine
F/C - All Flights - NO PDB OR PRE-SET WATER - Full Beverage Selection, Sweet & Salty Snack
F/C 900+ - Choice of Non-Perishable flight fuel box.
F/C 1500+ - Pre Arrival Second Beverage Service
**you can always request refills**
C+, M/C - < 251 - No Service
C+, M/C - 251+ - 8oz water, Coffee/Tea, 2 Snacks (Sweet/Salty) C+ Only: Beer/Wine
C+, M/C - 500+ - Full Beverage, 2 Snacks (Sweet/Salty), Ice On Request, C+ Only: Complimentary Spirits
C+, M/C - 1500+ - Pre Arrival Second Beverage Service
**you can always request refills**
Tap To Pay activated on Flight Attendant Devices For Contactless Payments.
*on domestic widebodies D1 gets domestic FC service. A/C that have PS are C+ service and C+ is MC service.*
For your convenience, note that the contents of the Bistro (orange) box are pictured in post #3814 while a detailed list of the contents of the Market (yellow) box is given in post #3471.
- 6/15 Hot meal service returns to select D1/FC Transcon flights - JFK-SEA/SFO/LAX + BOS-SEA/LAX
- 6/15 Snack basket returns to select FC/C+/and D1 flights as well as Y Flight Fuel Box sales returning
- 7/28 (limited to SEA/SFO/LAX/SLC to/from hubs/focus cities) Meals on FC flights over 1500 miles departing before 9PM. Meals will likely be cold/uncooked items like salads and sandwiches.
- 8/17 and 8/24 Remaining FC flights over 1500 miles get meals.
- 8/24 hub-to-hub (inc. focus cities) routes between 900 and 1500 miles get meals
- 8/31 full restoration of old meal service standard (meal windows seem to be gone) with all FC flights between 900-1500 miles getting meals
https://news.delta.com/la-chefs-jon-shook-vinny-dotolo-headline-return-fresh-meals-deltas-premium-domestic-cabins
**Update 4/14 North America, Latin America, and Caribbean***
All Cabins, Purell wipe or similar during boarding
Beverages: 7.5oz mini cans: Coke, Diet Coke, Sprite, Ginger Ale, Tonic, Club, Orange, Cran, Bloody Mary Mix, Coffee Tea, Water.
Spirits: Finlandia Vodka, Jack, Bombay Gin, Woodford, Tip Top Old Fashioned & Margarita, Sweetwater 420 & Hazy IPA, Miller Lite, White/Red/Sparkling Wine
F/C - All Flights - NO PDB OR PRE-SET WATER - Full Beverage Selection, Sweet & Salty Snack
F/C 900+ - Choice of Non-Perishable flight fuel box.
F/C 1500+ - Pre Arrival Second Beverage Service
**you can always request refills**
C+, M/C - < 251 - No Service
C+, M/C - 251+ - 8oz water, Coffee/Tea, 2 Snacks (Sweet/Salty) C+ Only: Beer/Wine
C+, M/C - 500+ - Full Beverage, 2 Snacks (Sweet/Salty), Ice On Request, C+ Only: Complimentary Spirits
C+, M/C - 1500+ - Pre Arrival Second Beverage Service
**you can always request refills**
Tap To Pay activated on Flight Attendant Devices For Contactless Payments.
*on domestic widebodies D1 gets domestic FC service. A/C that have PS are C+ service and C+ is MC service.*
For your convenience, note that the contents of the Bistro (orange) box are pictured in post #3814 while a detailed list of the contents of the Market (yellow) box is given in post #3471.
DL In Flight Service Changes during COVID-19 (Consolidated Thread)
Nov 20, 2020, 1:55 pm
#2296
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Huntsville, AL
Programs: DL DM 1.929MM, Hilton Lifetime Diamond, IHG Platinum, Avis CHM, Marriott Titanium (lifetime gold)
Posts: 7,860
David
Nov 20, 2020, 2:28 pm
#2297
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2012
Location: MCO
Programs: AA, B6, DL, EK, EY, QR, SQ, UA, Amex Plat, Marriott Tit, HHonors Gold
Posts: 12,809
We weren't in the middle of a prolonged global pandemic situation years ago. Context matters. Which is why all the snickering "beer cans can't carry COVID but soda can" or "I guess you can't catch COVID on international flights" are misplaced, IMO. Sure, if you focus extremely narrowly on that specific thing, I agree it seems ludicrous for anyone to think that handing out a can of beer is inherently any more or less risky than handing out a can of soda, and obviously the risk in eating a meal on a plane doesn't change based on the plane's destination.
There's nothing to indicate that airlines booking their planes to capacity (and offering food and beverage service) are experiencing any heightened levels of transmission vs airlines that are not. This is just marketing hype.
Nov 20, 2020, 2:31 pm
#2298
Moderator: Hyatt; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: WAS
Programs: :rolleyes:, DL DM, Mlife Plat, Caesars Diam, Marriott Tit, UA Gold, Hyatt Glob, invol FT beta tester
Posts: 18,981
If you asked me in August, if I thought food and beverage should be served on a/c, I would have said no. But as science has shown, a/c are safe environments, and its clear the customer wants food. If DL does not start providing food soon, they will get left behind as customers will begin defecting.
So I wouldn't say it's clear "the" customer wants food. It's clear many people participating in this thread want it
maybe they are a vocal minority, maybe they are speaking what many others who aren't on FT are feeling. I don't pretend to know. But as mentioned above, while some of those defect away from DL, there are posts in other airline FT forums where people have expressed a wish that their airline had DL's middle seat blocking policy, so there may be people defecting to DL as well.
Nov 20, 2020, 2:37 pm
#2299
Moderator: Hyatt; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: WAS
Programs: :rolleyes:, DL DM, Mlife Plat, Caesars Diam, Marriott Tit, UA Gold, Hyatt Glob, invol FT beta tester
Posts: 18,981
The problem is 'pandemic' here is a red herring. Regardless of whether it's CV, Black Plague, Ebola, or a world free from all disease, poverty, suffering, etc. Y passengers are still going to prefer an airline which blocks its middle seats, therefore the survey results will always be skewed to favor the airline. I don't think I've ever spoken to a person in my life who would book a Y ticket on a full flight vs. one where they were guaranteed to have an open seat next to them. The data is skewed for that reason, and that is by far the primary driver of Delta's current high customer satisfaction ratings.
So regardless of what you or I think, if people are still booking DL in Y and J in whatever numbers they think they need, then we can expect things to continue. If the parade of people claiming to defect away from DL matches reality and is echoed by the larger non-FT flying population, well, I doubt DL will be happy flying planes that are mostly empty with front cabins full of upgraders and nonrevs and then things will change (or they go under).
Nov 20, 2020, 2:51 pm
#2300
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2012
Location: MCO
Programs: AA, B6, DL, EK, EY, QR, SQ, UA, Amex Plat, Marriott Tit, HHonors Gold
Posts: 12,809
You're looking at it as "would you be happier with the seat next to you empty" which of course will always be "yes", as you pointed out. But I don't think that's the releavnt question, I think the relevant question is "would you be willing to pay more with the seat next to you empty". And while I'm sure the survey doesn't remotely have a question that states it exactly like that (I haven't gotten a post-flight survey in a while) that question is asked implicitly by what fares/connections are available and whether people continue to book or not.
So regardless of what you or I think, if people are still booking DL in Y and J in whatever numbers they think they need, then we can expect things to continue. If the parade of people claiming to defect away from DL matches reality and is echoed by the larger non-FT flying population, well, I doubt DL will be happy flying planes that are mostly empty with front cabins full of upgraders and nonrevs and then things will change (or they go under).
So regardless of what you or I think, if people are still booking DL in Y and J in whatever numbers they think they need, then we can expect things to continue. If the parade of people claiming to defect away from DL matches reality and is echoed by the larger non-FT flying population, well, I doubt DL will be happy flying planes that are mostly empty with front cabins full of upgraders and nonrevs and then things will change (or they go under).
So yes, the surveys are geared towards people giving positive results outside of a catastrophically horrible experience. Many of the questions are leading and the scales are skewed positive. All the while Delta is going out and dropping $6 billion in three months time. Marketing is earning their salaries though.
Nov 20, 2020, 3:50 pm
#2301
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: ANC
Programs: DL DM
Posts: 1,862
I'm also curious what percentage of DL flyers are actually on flights that qualify for meal service? If you're in coach, unless your flying international or one of the 7 or so domestic routes that offered meal service... you're essentially getting the same thing as before, minus soda.
And if you're in FC, other than soda and a slightly more upgraded snack basket, what else are you missing?
I've been a DL Platinum for several years and other than an annual trip in D1 across country, NONE of my flights (in paid F) are ever long enough for meal service. So for me, I'm VERY happy to continue to pay for FC, because it now means the seat next to me will be empty and I'll get essentially the same service as before. If I want some other "vending machine snacks", I'll just bring my own.
With my paid travel all being under 900 miles, I'm very happy with the way Delta is continuing to conduct their business.
And if you're in FC, other than soda and a slightly more upgraded snack basket, what else are you missing?
I've been a DL Platinum for several years and other than an annual trip in D1 across country, NONE of my flights (in paid F) are ever long enough for meal service. So for me, I'm VERY happy to continue to pay for FC, because it now means the seat next to me will be empty and I'll get essentially the same service as before. If I want some other "vending machine snacks", I'll just bring my own.
With my paid travel all being under 900 miles, I'm very happy with the way Delta is continuing to conduct their business.
That’s a good question (what percentage are on flights that qualify for meal service)? Here’s a datapoint from a PM:
Since COVID, I’ve had 14 flights that “should” have been a meal flight out of 20. That equates to 70%. To me DL service has been mostly an embarrassment. On the few flights that had D1 seats did I see a slight increase in service... but nowhere near regular domestic F.
If I can get a cocktail in crowded airport bar, I should be able to get one in F.
Nov 20, 2020, 4:28 pm
#2302
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: DTW
Programs: DL - PM, (NW - Plat), AA - Gold, Marriott - Plat, Avis - First
Posts: 955
....its threads like this that give FT a bad name.
Not sure what to say to some of the comments/posters.
Now just doesn't seem like the time to be complaining about in-flight service.
Not sure what to say to some of the comments/posters.
Now just doesn't seem like the time to be complaining about in-flight service.
Nov 20, 2020, 4:46 pm
#2303
formerly wchinchen
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Honolulu
Programs: AA CK, UA 1K, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 1,334
I'm also curious what percentage of DL flyers are actually on flights that qualify for meal service? If you're in coach, unless your flying international or one of the 7 or so domestic routes that offered meal service... you're essentially getting the same thing as before, minus soda.
And if you're in FC, other than soda and a slightly more upgraded snack basket, what else are you missing?
I've been a DL Platinum for several years and other than an annual trip in D1 across country, NONE of my flights (in paid F) are ever long enough for meal service. So for me, I'm VERY happy to continue to pay for FC, because it now means the seat next to me will be empty and I'll get essentially the same service as before. If I want some other "vending machine snacks", I'll just bring my own.
With my paid travel all being under 900 miles, I'm very happy with the way Delta is continuing to conduct their business.
And if you're in FC, other than soda and a slightly more upgraded snack basket, what else are you missing?
I've been a DL Platinum for several years and other than an annual trip in D1 across country, NONE of my flights (in paid F) are ever long enough for meal service. So for me, I'm VERY happy to continue to pay for FC, because it now means the seat next to me will be empty and I'll get essentially the same service as before. If I want some other "vending machine snacks", I'll just bring my own.
With my paid travel all being under 900 miles, I'm very happy with the way Delta is continuing to conduct their business.
Nov 20, 2020, 4:47 pm
#2304
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: DTW
Programs: Alaska, Delta, Southwest
Posts: 1,663
One thing I've noticed is that the seat blocking criteria changed in the last couple weeks - we booked flights back in October for later this month, and at the time half the seats in coach were blocked - the outboard aisle seats and two centers on the A330, and the left side aisle and right side window on the E-170. Now only the middle seats are blocked, so if you're a solo traveler in a section of two seats, you might still be next to a stranger. I like the idea of having an open seat next to you, but contrary to Delta's marketing, that isn't a guarantee. Combine that with the lack of cabin service (which other airlines are providing), and you have to wonder about the value equation here.
Nov 20, 2020, 4:52 pm
#2305
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: DTW
Programs: Alaska, Delta, Southwest
Posts: 1,663
I see where you're coming from, but I can understand some are tired of seeing COVID used as a blanket excuse for a lack of service where it doesn't really make sense. F/D1 is still being marketed (and priced) as a "premium" product with food and drink service, and it doesn't even benefit from the seat blocking that's offered in coach. I don't think having a difference of opinion gives us a "bad name".
Nov 20, 2020, 6:29 pm
#2306
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: CLT
Programs: Pre✓, Delta DM, Hilton LT Diamond, Mariott Plat, PC Gold, National EE, Hertz PC
Posts: 1,657
I see where you're coming from, but I can understand some are tired of seeing COVID used as a blanket excuse for a lack of service where it doesn't really make sense. F/D1 is still being marketed (and priced) as a "premium" product with food and drink service, and it doesn't even benefit from the seat blocking that's offered in coach. I don't think having a difference of opinion gives us a "bad name".
I took a couple of F flights to LAS and back the week before last. The outbound LAS - ATL flight service was better than the MSP - LAS inbound leg. But the food offerings were the same. It was the same old grab and go bag with the usual DELTA snacks (Cheez-its and Biscoff cookies), a mini-bottle of water, a napkin and Purell hand sanitizer. Absolutely NOTHING premium about that.
The "fuel boxes" are decent but nothing special and certainly nothing healthy. It would be great if they would offer a healthy wrap or small salad or something HEALTHY! Washed & wrapped apple, banana, grapes or other fruit perhaps? The snack boxes are junk food packed with preservatives that have a longer shelf life than Twinkies! The ladies were generous with the adult beverages though. Thank you to them for that!
Pre-pandemic these flights served full meals. Knowing that food pickings were going to be slim to non-existent I brought my own fruit and premium chocolate snacks. I shouldn't have to do that. There are many ways to offer premium snacks and many prepackaged premium snacks to choose from. Come on DELTA step your game up!
Last edited by KenTarmac; Nov 20, 2020 at 6:50 pm
Nov 20, 2020, 8:01 pm
#2307
Suspended
Join Date: Jul 2020
Location: Chicago
Posts: 97
I was just thinking. Do the DL lounges offer food to go? I was in the Aeromexico lounge in MEX Wed morning and they offered food for purchase to eat there or take away for the flight. If this is an option for the DL lounge would some take advantage of it providing you had access to the lounge.
Nov 20, 2020, 8:04 pm
#2308
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2012
Location: MCO
Programs: AA, B6, DL, EK, EY, QR, SQ, UA, Amex Plat, Marriott Tit, HHonors Gold
Posts: 12,809
I was just thinking. Do the DL lounges offer food to go? I was in the Aeromexico lounge in MEX Wed morning and they offered food for purchase to eat there or take away for the flight. If this is an option for the DL lounge would some take advantage of it providing you had access to the lounge.
Most of the stuff in the basic SCs is now packaged so you could pretty easily slide what you want into a carry-on and take it on board, just make sure you bring cutlery too.
Nov 20, 2020, 8:11 pm
#2309
Suspended
Join Date: Jul 2020
Location: Chicago
Posts: 97
Lol I'm not referring to prepackaged snacks. I ordered some French toast with Nutella which came out to be about $5 usd. They had other breakfast items along with different Mexican plates for lunch and dinner. The prices seemed fair from an American point of view but maybe a little high for Mexican prices. Oh and the French toast was good, cant really mess up on that.
Nov 20, 2020, 8:16 pm
#2310
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2012
Location: MCO
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Posts: 12,809
Lol I'm not referring to prepackaged snacks. I ordered some French toast with Nutella which came out to be about $5 usd. They had other breakfast items along with different Mexican plates for lunch and dinner. The prices seemed fair from an American point of view but maybe a little high for Mexican prices. Oh and the French toast was good, cant really mess up on that.
As far as bringing that food on board, it would be tough unless you brought your own takeout container.