PDBs are back! (JUNE 2022)
Apr 14, 22, 1:31 pm
#46
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Programs: UA MM (former 1K) - DL PM (former DM) - Marriott Platinum
Posts: 289
Apr 14, 22, 3:05 pm
#48
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: West of CLE
Programs: Delta PM/3 MM; Hertz PC; National Executive Elite; Amtrak Guest Rewards; Marriott Bonvoy Gold
Posts: 5,130
I got the coldest bottle of water I can remember on JFK-CLE yesterday (4/13). Here's hoping that Delta will return to glory and start serving PDBs soon. I'm guessing that this won't happen until the mask mandate ends, which now means May 4.
Apr 15, 22, 10:15 am
#49
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2008
Programs: Formaldehyde Medallion DL DieMiles
Posts: 12,577
I asked a FA about the return of the PDB and he stated that, as far as he had heard, it wasn't even being discussed.
Apr 15, 22, 11:05 am
#50
Join Date: Apr 2016
Posts: 1,746
Last time I asked (couple months ago), FA said they did not think it would ever return given the drunk pax issue on flights now. Other airlines offering it may force DL to rethink so in post-flight surveys it would probably be helpful to mention other airlines have brought it back.
Apr 15, 22, 1:24 pm
#51
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2008
Programs: Formaldehyde Medallion DL DieMiles
Posts: 12,577
Last time I asked (couple months ago), FA said they did not think it would ever return given the drunk pax issue on flights now. Other airlines offering it may force DL to rethink so in post-flight surveys it would probably be helpful to mention other airlines have brought it back.
Apr 16, 22, 3:29 pm
#52
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Atlanta, GA
Programs: DL 3 MM/DM, Marriott Titanium Elite, Hyatt Globalist, National Exec Elite
Posts: 3,965
Had a near-90 minute delay in FLL yesterday after pushing back from the gate because of weather. Pilots shut down the engines and turned off the seat belt sign as we sat on the taxiway with 20 planes in front of us. Several in F, myself included, asked the FA if they could just go ahead and do a beverage service. The response was a clear no, followed by the caveat that the FAA would require them to pass out snacks and water if the delay extended to 90 minutes. The FA seemed to be quoting the FAA reg for substantial delay requirements, rather than considering a simple first class beverage service as a "service from the heart" move. He absolutely would not consider a pass through the cabin for beverage orders.
Patently ridiculous in my view.
Patently ridiculous in my view.
Apr 19, 22, 8:33 am
#53
Join Date: Oct 2020
Programs: Delta (Platinum), Hilton (Gold), Marriott (Gold), National (Executive)
Posts: 51
I always thought it would be a matter of waiting for the Federal mask mandate to end before bringing back PDBs. Now that it’s done with, time will tell. We may see them start coming back May 1.
Apr 19, 22, 9:16 am
#54
In memoriam
Join Date: Dec 2001
Programs: DL 2MM, AA MM, DL Sky Club Life, AA Admirals Club Life, Hilton Gold Life
Posts: 1,732
Love the wording "time will tell"
That's why I don't pay for F anymore, I may not live long enough
I'll wait, one way or the other
Apr 19, 22, 10:12 am
#55
Join Date: Oct 2020
Programs: Delta (Platinum), Hilton (Gold), Marriott (Gold), National (Executive)
Posts: 51
Haha yeah, I’m certainly not holding my breath for the return of the PDB. I rarely paid for F before the pandemic, and I still rarely do, so I only have so much room to speak.
Apr 19, 22, 10:47 am
#56
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: ORD / MDW / FLL
Programs: DL DM/1MM, AA EXP, SPG Platinum, Hyatt Platinum, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 2,294
Had a near-90 minute delay in FLL yesterday after pushing back from the gate because of weather. Pilots shut down the engines and turned off the seat belt sign as we sat on the taxiway with 20 planes in front of us. Several in F, myself included, asked the FA if they could just go ahead and do a beverage service. The response was a clear no, followed by the caveat that the FAA would require them to pass out snacks and water if the delay extended to 90 minutes. The FA seemed to be quoting the FAA reg for substantial delay requirements, rather than considering a simple first class beverage service as a "service from the heart" move. He absolutely would not consider a pass through the cabin for beverage orders.
Patently ridiculous in my view.
Patently ridiculous in my view.
Apr 19, 22, 10:59 am
#57
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: Chicago
Programs: United-1K, Marriott-Titanium Ambassador, Hyatt-Globalist
Posts: 210
The overall service on DL has eroded substantially during the pandemic. Where DL was once able to command a premium (from me) due to their service and reliability, I will no longer pay more to fly DL. Things may improve, but right now DL has fallen behind the competition.
Also my job probably won’t travel as much so maybe being a free agent won’t be so bad. Maybe I’ll try United or something
Apr 20, 22, 6:54 am
#59
Join Date: Aug 2021
Programs: Delta SkyMiles | Platinum
Posts: 175
Your experience is an anomaly. I did over 50 domestic first class flights on Delta last year and am on 14 this year, there have been a few flights out of those where the flight attendant did only one drink round and all of my flights were no more than 2.5 hours. On a 321 now and FA is now making her second pass of snack basket, already gotten a second drink and we're less than 40 minutes into a ~2 hr flight.
And with PDB, the time from boarding to in air service is almost two hours. You're sitting in a premium cabin for two hours without being offered a drink... I get that its unnecessary, but it was eliminated for COVID and should return to those who'd like a drink before takeoff.
