Not a gripe, really, and I have no investment in this (I prefer to be called by my first/Christian name) but with that huge a list of predicates, you'd think they could also include an updated "Mx." I have an inkling that at least as many folks would ask for that as "Viscountess."

I'm not going to analyze the OP's complaints, but I will say I've experienced inconsistent D1 service both international long haul and domestic. The crew can be the key differentiator. For the premium that DL is charging for D1, the service should be elevated.

One domestic example, I take the DCA-LAX-DCA flight a couple of times a year. Often in D1. DL sells this seat for around $2,700.00 RT. AA also serves this route with domestic F on an A321. Tickets are often around $1,400. Is DL worth the $1,300+ premium? Seat yes, service is totally dependent on the crew. I've had great crews and I've had not so great crews.

Considering how much DL scripts everything its front line employees do, ie. gate announcements, on board announcements, etc, maybe they should script the service experience and expectations.

I'll also note, I'm planning a trip to Singapore and Bali in April. While I looked at using SkyTeam, I opted for buying business class on Singapore Air out of LAX (where I'll be starting the trip). I've flown D1 to ICN, and the service was good, but for a 16hr flight I'd rather have the service and reputation of Singapore Air. (Price was comparable to SkyTeam BTW)

Ok, so help me out here.

Which of the OP's perceived slights is an advertised benefit or service standard of Delta One?

Not "How you think things should be".
Not "How you wish things were".
Not "How things used to be, before {event} happened".

• Unloaded from plane first? Not a benefit of D1
• Being served before other D1 passengers? Not a benefit of D1
• Approve/disapprove of FA attire? Not a benefit of D1
• Requested beverage not provided in < 5 minutes? Not a benefit of D1
• Didn't get addressed by name? Not a benefit of D1
• Didn't get a paper menu? Might be a benefit of D1, so you've got me here.
• Meal wasn't brought on multiple trays? Not a benefit of D1. (I get that it used to be, but even the picture on their website shows all of the food on one tray. So it is what it is)
• Only 3x drink service on a 10 hour flight? Might be a problem, might not. Depends a lot on the time of day of the flight. If it's a redeye, nobody wants them up & down the aisle every 30 minutes while everyone is trying to sleep. Daytime flight? More than 3 is probably justified. But again, a specific number of drinks or a specific interval between drinks is not a benefit of D1

So, for me - I expect them to deliver what they promise. If they do more, that's awesome. If they do less, that's a cause for concern. If they deliver what they commit to, but it doesn't meet my standard for what I think it *should be*.... well, that's a "me problem", not a "them problem".

"Delta One offers passengers unparalleled luxury on long-haul international flights with a flat-bed seat and fine dining."

Would you like to begin a comparison of the areas that other airlines parallel and/or exceed the OPs expectations?

Delta's fallen far short of this promise, has it not?

This is something that is getting more and more common, but I can't seem to get comfortable with.

On some level, it irks me because of the obvious attempt to imply familiarity. But in my case it is magnified because nobody who actually knows me would call me by my first name.

I'm probably not making that clear. What I am trying to say is that the attempted familiarity backfires because the only people who would address me that way are people who *don't* know me. The TSA calls me by my first name. The IRS calls me by my first name. That's about it. heck, my credit cards all have either my initials or just my middle name.

I have a common first name, and it is one that has several "shortenings" and nicknames. Much like William could be called Will, or Bill, or Billy or Willy. Or Henry could be Hank. Or John could be Jack. So which one of those do I use? None of them. I go by my middle name (because my father and I have the same first name, so he uses that).

So when I scan my boarding pass and they say "Thanks for being a Diamond Medallion, Mr Qwkynuf", I smile and nod, and thank them back, and go on with my life. When they say "Thanks for being a Diamond Medallion, Steven" (or William, or James, or whatever) my head snaps around to try to figure out who they are talking to, and it takes me a couple of beats to realize that they are talking to me.

And the point is not that they would (or even should) know to address me by my middle name, it's that they specifically *don't* know, and make it awkward by guessing (wrongly).

I see the point you're trying to make and I can understand somewhat. One of my best friend's/colleague's last name is Jung where he's three-eights German (his mother is half German and his father is a quarter) and 5/8 East Asian. His physical appearance leans more East Asian and because of this, people who try to address him as Mr. Jung for the first time call it "/dʒɒŋ/" with a "hard J" instead of the Germanic "/YUUNG/" or "soft J." He prefers being called his first name because he always has to correct people when they attempt his last name unless when he's in Germany/Switzerland/Austria because they say "Herr Jung (yuung)"

It does surprise me that Mx. is not an option on this dropdown (though it seems to be more commonly a US prefix, rather than an international one). But count me amongst the group that does not want to be addressed by my Christian name by a stranger. It's Mr. jhartvu, thank you, unless I've indicated otherwise. I wouldn't dream of addressing FAs by their first names unless they'd introduced themselves to me as such, name tags or no.

Ok. Sure.

"Unparalleled" doesn't mean "better". It means "unequaled", "without parallel", "singular" "unique".

While it is often used as a superlative, it is not exclusively a superlative. You could absolutely say "the poor service was unparalleled" and have correct and accurate usage of the word.

Delta's marketing-speak may *imply* that they mean that it is better than sliced bread, but their use of the word "unparalleled" falls far short of a contract for specific service levels, and doesn't provide a checklist for you to compare each service to some randomly selected competitor. Isn't the whole point of marketing to wrap stuff up into vague, promising-sounding, feel-good bs?

But do you know what they *do* have??? They *do* have a web page dedicated to describing the services that you can expect on a D1 flight: https://www.delta.com/us/en/onboard/...business-class

If it's described on there, you should expect it. If it's not.....well, then you shouldn't. If there's a level of service that you require, and it is provided by another carrier - but not part of Delta's commitment, then you should travel with the other carrier.

it's amazing to me how many people want to blow out the candle *and* curse the darkness. Do these same people go into a country bar and complain that they aren't playing Ska, or Jazz Fusion?

not everyone takes *every bit* of marketing and advertising 100% literally 100% of the time

< curmudgeon alert >
imo setting one's expectations at that bar is merely looking for something to critique, and in today's internet-driven environment too many people are simply not interested in anything more than a minimum of objectivity (if even that much)
< /alert >

I know what "unparalleled" means. They chose to use it where others don't. Not even Qatar makes such a claim.

According to your standard, by what's described in the link, and not the headline description of "unparalleled service", a single drink on a long haul flight, and no more, would mean the OP has no cause for dissatisfaction.

The service he described is abysmal by international standards, while Delta claims not to be among the best, but literally, without parallel.

These are both good points. In a similar vein, I have an additional complication.

My first name is a very common first name. It is also a very common middle name. And a very common last name.

My middle name is also a very common first name. And a very common middle name. And a very common last name.

My last name is ALSO a very common first name. And middle name. And last name.

Think "Charles Henry Allen" as an example of this

So, not only do they frequently get it wrong, the also frequently get it wrong in multiple ways

And yet.

And yet you KNOW that Delta doesn't provide that "unparalleled" service to *your* standards, but you reward them with your money while complaining about what they are not.

Happiness is a choice. So is unhappiness.

What is the expected frequency of drink service?

Please be specific. As you're the one insisting the OP was never promised the level of service he expects, pointing to links as if those are the terms of service but other material is just hyperbole?

Exactly at what point would you feel the OP would be justified in expressing dissatisfaction?

What would you base it on, specifically?

Because at this point, beyond absolving the airline of "hyperbole" in their marketing material, all I'm hearing is that you prefer a Zen informed approach, with no expectations whatsoever, an attitude which I argue is precisely why the carrier feels comfortable in endlessly allowing standards to slip.

Lots here to digest in this string, lots of minor stuff and flaming so I'll try to get to the bottom line:

D1 is no longer a competitive business class product....and no, covid is no longer a valid excuse for anything.

Recently flew ATL-MXP RT in D1

No app?
No hot nuts? I actually did not mind the new thing they give out but my wife was very dissapointed!
No hot towels? The cold one was fine I suppose but was only given to us on 1 of 4 meals
Crap wine? I am not a wine expert by any means but this was embarrassing, which the F/A admitted. So I opted for champagne....there was none. What about the prossecco? That is only for boarding but they found some....thank you!
No bread choice?
No dessert cart?
No cheese?
Entree was good on the way over (but salad, soup, sides were crap) but horrid on the way home
1/2 a piece of bacon with breakfast? Why bother?

My wife's IFE and seat recline was broken on the way home, so I sat in her seat.

Flight late both directions (767 reliability issues)? Zero attempt by DL in ATL or contract staff in MXP to minimize delay.

Don't even get me started on the hours it took to apply GUC and check-in.

There is no "expected frequency of drink service". It doesn't exist. You made it up.

It's really very simple for me - if the airline provides at least what they committed to when I purchased the ticket, I am satisfied that I received what I paid for. If they don't do what they said they were going to do, I am not satisfied. If on one occasion they do *more* than what was promised, then I am certainly very pleased. But that doesn't change my expectation for the next experience.

I definitely don't need to be surrounded by people bowing and scraping and calling me mister so-and-so, and holding doors and whatever in order to feel like I received value.

It's almost like people have this "Emperor's New Clothes" thing going on when it comes to flying - that certain things are 'good', but not for any reason other than someone said they were.

There are people who act as if Woodford is the nectar of the gods. Does that mean it's "good"? No. I don't like the taste of it. Does that mean it's "bad"? Also no.

People who complain that they are serving "$12 wine", but then never even try it - because the *only* thing that affects whether a glass of wine tastes good or not is how rare and expensive it is.

People who go on and on about not getting their "meal service" on three trays on an airplane would likely send that same food back to the kitchen (or worse) in any "upscale" restaurant.

You're in a Greyhound bus. In the sky. Delta One get you more space. A more comfortable seat (arguable, other than the space). A meal that is not superior to what you can get at any mid-market chain such as PF Chang's, Applebee's, etc. A more favorable flight attendant to passenger ratio. A set of used headphones that you don't get to keep(and a used pillow and blanket, which may or may not have been cleaned recently). Really, anything beyond is just Marketing fluff, trying to create a "perceived value".

If you think the price is worth what you get, go ahead and buy it. If you don't, then don't. But don't buy it - knowing that it's not going to make you happy - and then complain that you are unhappy. That's just ridiculous.