Delta In-Flight Meal/Food Service: The Definitive Thread — 2022 Edition
Apr 21, 22, 1:13 pm
#646
Join Date: Jul 2019
Programs: Delta SM, ANA Bronze
Posts: 71
For mainline u900 flights (BNA-LGA for example), is it just the typical snack basket or do they do the bistro boxes?
Apr 21, 22, 5:24 pm
#647
Join Date: Feb 2020
Location: SBN/IND/MDW/ORD/JAX
Programs: DL DM, AS MVP, AA, UA, B6, HA, WN, Delta SkyClub, Alaska Lounge, Global Entry, CLEAR
Posts: 497
Originally Posted by skydelt
For mainline u900 flights (BNA-LGA for example), is it just the typical snack basket or do they do the bistro boxes?
Apr 21, 22, 8:59 pm
#648
Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: Saratoga Springs, NY
Programs: DL GM/Hilton Gold
Posts: 31
Yesterday, I flew ALB>DTW>SEA>SFO(4/20/22), and I was totally expecting a sad box for my DTW>SEA segment and was pleasantly surprised. Chicken with some kind of cream sauce, with sweet potatoes, green beans, tomatoes, and olives. The salad dressing was really good! The cherry panna cotta was fine. Wine glass kept full.
I don't know, maybe it just seemed so good since I haven't had a hot meal up in the air since February 2020. I wasn't even mad there wasn't bread!
Fantastic crew too which also joined me on the next segment through to SFO.
Apr 22, 22, 12:46 pm
#649
Join Date: Aug 2017
Posts: 18
DL518 SEA-BOS B737-800
4/20/22
Meal: Breakfast
PDB: No
FEBO: Yes
I went for the Smoked Salmon Plate which was a pre-select only option and it was very good. I really liked the selection of cheeses they served.
4/20/22
Meal: Breakfast
PDB: No
FEBO: Yes
I went for the Smoked Salmon Plate which was a pre-select only option and it was very good. I really liked the selection of cheeses they served.
Apr 22, 22, 2:57 pm
#650
Join Date: Nov 2017
Posts: 192
Originally Posted by gavinpquinn
I've been flying pretty exclusively Delta First class for the last 10 years (except overseas I try to use Emirates, Qatar, Singapore, etc.).
I used to really enjoy first class:
- Nice / pleasant service (people would smile).
- Welcome drink on the plane
- Wine in bottles with GLASSES
- Snack baskets
- Hot meals (even if they weren't good, they tried)
- Silverware
- Placemats
- Mugs for hot coffee
- Separate service to select breads / buns / butter
- Multiple rounds of refreshments, and generally a good attitude by flight attendants.
NOW:
- Nothing on the ground.
- If "it's not too bumpy" the FA's come by and drop a cold box of gross sandwiches (if you are lucky) 45 minutes into the flight, and ask for drink orders.
- 30 minutes later if you are lucky, you get a glass of wine in a plastic cup.
- 5 minutes later they take away the boxes.
- The entire remainder of the flight they disappear and play games on their phones.
- If you are assertive, you may be able to walk up and ask for a refill of bad wine.
For the difference in cost from coach -> first class of usually $500-$700, you would think you could get a decent meal, a napkin, a glass cup, or something more than the 3" of additional legroom.
I am truly sorry that some passengers have been rude, and perhaps there is a worker shortage, and all sorts of issues. But it's honestly like they just stopped trying all together.
And NONE of these service items are related to COVID. It's quite clear that the virus does not spread on food, or glass cups more than plastic cups.
Sadly, there still isn't much better of an option, so I'll keep paying full prices for very sad service.
I used to really enjoy first class:
- Nice / pleasant service (people would smile).
- Welcome drink on the plane
- Wine in bottles with GLASSES
- Snack baskets
- Hot meals (even if they weren't good, they tried)
- Silverware
- Placemats
- Mugs for hot coffee
- Separate service to select breads / buns / butter
- Multiple rounds of refreshments, and generally a good attitude by flight attendants.
NOW:
- Nothing on the ground.
- If "it's not too bumpy" the FA's come by and drop a cold box of gross sandwiches (if you are lucky) 45 minutes into the flight, and ask for drink orders.
- 30 minutes later if you are lucky, you get a glass of wine in a plastic cup.
- 5 minutes later they take away the boxes.
- The entire remainder of the flight they disappear and play games on their phones.
- If you are assertive, you may be able to walk up and ask for a refill of bad wine.
For the difference in cost from coach -> first class of usually $500-$700, you would think you could get a decent meal, a napkin, a glass cup, or something more than the 3" of additional legroom.
I am truly sorry that some passengers have been rude, and perhaps there is a worker shortage, and all sorts of issues. But it's honestly like they just stopped trying all together.
And NONE of these service items are related to COVID. It's quite clear that the virus does not spread on food, or glass cups more than plastic cups.
Sadly, there still isn't much better of an option, so I'll keep paying full prices for very sad service.
Apr 22, 22, 3:12 pm
#651
Join Date: Jul 2017
Programs: Delta Platinum; Hilton Diamond; Marriot Gold
Posts: 905
LGA-MSP (Breakfast)
Our flight leader introduced herself to the entire FC cabin on the ground. She gave us the entire menu (verbally), as well as the entire drink menu.
No PDB but she took both drink and food orders before pushing back from gate.
Choices are:
-Overnight Oats with Pistachios and Cherry Compote (COLD)
-Cacio e Pepe Baked Eggs (previously served on Domestic D1 breakfast and International D1 pre-arrival meal)
-Bacon, Egg, and Cheese on an English Muffin
I got the Baked Egg which is more like a giant egg bite from Starbucks. But it actually does taste like cacio e Pepe. It came with hash browns, decent fruit (no melon, thank GOD), and a pound cake like bread with a side of cinnamon-butter and candied orange peel.
The tray came with a card saying it was catered by Union Square Hospitality, which I thought was interesting since I thought they only did JFK meals. Food was proper temperature, tasty, and perfect for a short breakfast flight. One pass of snack basket and two passes of water bottles with tray of biscoff.
Our flight leader introduced herself to the entire FC cabin on the ground. She gave us the entire menu (verbally), as well as the entire drink menu.
No PDB but she took both drink and food orders before pushing back from gate.
Choices are:
-Overnight Oats with Pistachios and Cherry Compote (COLD)
-Cacio e Pepe Baked Eggs (previously served on Domestic D1 breakfast and International D1 pre-arrival meal)
-Bacon, Egg, and Cheese on an English Muffin
I got the Baked Egg which is more like a giant egg bite from Starbucks. But it actually does taste like cacio e Pepe. It came with hash browns, decent fruit (no melon, thank GOD), and a pound cake like bread with a side of cinnamon-butter and candied orange peel.
The tray came with a card saying it was catered by Union Square Hospitality, which I thought was interesting since I thought they only did JFK meals. Food was proper temperature, tasty, and perfect for a short breakfast flight. One pass of snack basket and two passes of water bottles with tray of biscoff.
Apr 22, 22, 6:50 pm
#652
Join Date: Apr 2022
Posts: 1
Hi all, traveling next Saturday DL1865 LAX - PVR and wondering if i'll get a hot meal or will it be the box? Thank you!
Apr 22, 22, 9:09 pm
#653
Join Date: Dec 2011
Programs: DL DM MM
Posts: 1,968
Originally Posted by gavinpquinn
I've been flying pretty exclusively Delta First class for the last 10 years (except overseas I try to use Emirates, Qatar, Singapore, etc.).
I used to really enjoy first class:
- Nice / pleasant service (people would smile).
- Welcome drink on the plane
- Wine in bottles with GLASSES
- Snack baskets
- Hot meals (even if they weren't good, they tried)
- Silverware
- Placemats
- Mugs for hot coffee
- Separate service to select breads / buns / butter
- Multiple rounds of refreshments, and generally a good attitude by flight attendants.
NOW:
- Nothing on the ground.
- If "it's not too bumpy" the FA's come by and drop a cold box of gross sandwiches (if you are lucky) 45 minutes into the flight, and ask for drink orders.
- 30 minutes later if you are lucky, you get a glass of wine in a plastic cup.
- 5 minutes later they take away the boxes.
- The entire remainder of the flight they disappear and play games on their phones.
- If you are assertive, you may be able to walk up and ask for a refill of bad wine.
For the difference in cost from coach -> first class of usually $500-$700, you would think you could get a decent meal, a napkin, a glass cup, or something more than the 3" of additional legroom.
I am truly sorry that some passengers have been rude, and perhaps there is a worker shortage, and all sorts of issues. But it's honestly like they just stopped trying all together.
And NONE of these service items are related to COVID. It's quite clear that the virus does not spread on food, or glass cups more than plastic cups.
Sadly, there still isn't much better of an option, so I'll keep paying full prices for very sad service.
I used to really enjoy first class:
- Nice / pleasant service (people would smile).
- Welcome drink on the plane
- Wine in bottles with GLASSES
- Snack baskets
- Hot meals (even if they weren't good, they tried)
- Silverware
- Placemats
- Mugs for hot coffee
- Separate service to select breads / buns / butter
- Multiple rounds of refreshments, and generally a good attitude by flight attendants.
NOW:
- Nothing on the ground.
- If "it's not too bumpy" the FA's come by and drop a cold box of gross sandwiches (if you are lucky) 45 minutes into the flight, and ask for drink orders.
- 30 minutes later if you are lucky, you get a glass of wine in a plastic cup.
- 5 minutes later they take away the boxes.
- The entire remainder of the flight they disappear and play games on their phones.
- If you are assertive, you may be able to walk up and ask for a refill of bad wine.
For the difference in cost from coach -> first class of usually $500-$700, you would think you could get a decent meal, a napkin, a glass cup, or something more than the 3" of additional legroom.
I am truly sorry that some passengers have been rude, and perhaps there is a worker shortage, and all sorts of issues. But it's honestly like they just stopped trying all together.
And NONE of these service items are related to COVID. It's quite clear that the virus does not spread on food, or glass cups more than plastic cups.
Sadly, there still isn't much better of an option, so I'll keep paying full prices for very sad service.
It's not that one expects Michelin-star cuisine in the air, but for people who have no option but to commute regularly, with some trips beginning after a full work day, and who want to make it just that bit more pleasant, and are willing to pay for F, DL is really falling short, under the guise of "health and safety".
With the sad boxes and pigs feeding at the trough out of paper and plastic, I just gave up. Last year I opted for AA which was doing just a bit better in that area. Of course, yes, schedule is the most important thing, but when it's much of a muchness schedule-wise, these things matter:
* proper glassware
* proper silverware made of metal
* hot food in crockery
* NOT a bloody sandwich and a bag of chips. Who eats this crap?
I'm not a PDB person but I can see that as important, too. Just bring them back already. I took a flight in F this month, thinking "normal" service had returned and was faced with a nasty bistro box which I declined. It's really unacceptable, and I'm back to AA again. Not that it's perfect, but it IS objectively better than DL's miserable offerings.
Apr 22, 22, 10:30 pm
#654
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: East Coast
Programs: AA CONCIERGE KEY, HILTON DIAMOND
Posts: 11,289
Just flew AUS SLC in F. Only the dreaded boxes were available. The Flight Leader apologized for such poor meals considering the length of the flight and his service was consistently outstanding.
Apr 23, 22, 11:30 am
#655
Join Date: Oct 2013
Posts: 698
Originally Posted by NotHamSarnie
Hear Hear! I missed your original post until it was quoted today. I feel the same.
It's not that one expects Michelin-star cuisine in the air, but for people who have no option but to commute regularly, with some trips beginning after a full work day, and who want to make it just that bit more pleasant, and are willing to pay for F, DL is really falling short, under the guise of "health and safety".
With the sad boxes and pigs feeding at the trough out of paper and plastic, I just gave up. Last year I opted for AA which was doing just a bit better in that area. Of course, yes, schedule is the most important thing, but when it's much of a muchness schedule-wise, these things matter:
* proper glassware
* proper silverware made of metal
* hot food in crockery
* NOT a bloody sandwich and a bag of chips. Who eats this crap?
I'm not a PDB person but I can see that as important, too. Just bring them back already. I took a flight in F this month, thinking "normal" service had returned and was faced with a nasty bistro box which I declined. It's really unacceptable, and I'm back to AA again. Not that it's perfect, but it IS objectively better than DL's miserable offerings.
It's not that one expects Michelin-star cuisine in the air, but for people who have no option but to commute regularly, with some trips beginning after a full work day, and who want to make it just that bit more pleasant, and are willing to pay for F, DL is really falling short, under the guise of "health and safety".
With the sad boxes and pigs feeding at the trough out of paper and plastic, I just gave up. Last year I opted for AA which was doing just a bit better in that area. Of course, yes, schedule is the most important thing, but when it's much of a muchness schedule-wise, these things matter:
* proper glassware
* proper silverware made of metal
* hot food in crockery
* NOT a bloody sandwich and a bag of chips. Who eats this crap?
I'm not a PDB person but I can see that as important, too. Just bring them back already. I took a flight in F this month, thinking "normal" service had returned and was faced with a nasty bistro box which I declined. It's really unacceptable, and I'm back to AA again. Not that it's perfect, but it IS objectively better than DL's miserable offerings.
Apr 23, 22, 12:31 pm
#656
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: msp
Programs: DL Plat, Marriott Gold, Hilton Gold
Posts: 797
TPA-MSP dinner
Roasted veggies and couscous (hot), sweet potato salad, blueberry cheesecake
Cold plate - grilled chicken, veggies, black rice, pineapple with herbs, blueberry cheesecake
The new coffee cups were oddly small but first world problems!
Roasted veggies and couscous (hot), sweet potato salad, blueberry cheesecake
Cold plate - grilled chicken, veggies, black rice, pineapple with herbs, blueberry cheesecake
The new coffee cups were oddly small but first world problems!
Apr 23, 22, 5:21 pm
#657
Join Date: Dec 2011
Programs: DL DM MM
Posts: 1,968
Originally Posted by TXguy
AA’s policy is literally no hot meals on flights under 1500 miles. It certainly isn’t better.
Apr 24, 22, 8:14 am
#658
Join Date: Feb 2020
Location: SBN/IND/MDW/ORD/JAX
Programs: DL DM, AS MVP, AA, UA, B6, HA, WN, Delta SkyClub, Alaska Lounge, Global Entry, CLEAR
Posts: 497
Originally Posted by TXguy
AA’s policy is literally no hot meals on flights under 1500 miles. It certainly isn’t better.
Apr 24, 22, 8:24 am
#659
Join Date: Mar 2015
Posts: 1,458
Originally Posted by NotHamSarnie
They have salads served on crockery with silverware and sides - crackers, veggies, hummus, and a dessert. It's not wonderful but it feels like a meal not a muzzle bag.
Apr 24, 22, 8:52 am
#660
Join Date: Jul 2017
Programs: Delta Platinum; Hilton Diamond; Marriot Gold
Posts: 905
Originally Posted by coke cans and winglets
I mean their cold meals are plated for 900-1500 at least and the two cold meals I had on them (breakfast granola and cobb salad) weren't bad. At the end of the day though it's still a cold meal it's just presented better than DL's sad boxes. In my opinion though, it's still completely lipstick on a pig.
AA: cold plated on 900-1500
DL: cold OR hot plated on 900+, increasingly rare boxed meals (which are like AA’s cold meals just not plated).
I guess I’d just as soon take the gamble on DL. But that’s just me.
