Delta Air Lines has announced a series of dining and aircraft updates coming next year aimed at improving the onboard experience.
Beginning in 2018, Delta One customers will be able to pre-select meals up to six days before departure on select international flights, including services from Atlanta (ATL) and New York (JFK) to Europe. This advance meal-selection option will later expand to all international routes between the United States and Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia and South America. Delta Premium Select will also adopt the pre-select feature by the end of 2018.
“Our customers have told us they want more control over their inflight experience, especially when it comes to choosing meals in advance so they’re more likely to receive their first choice,” said Lisa Bauer, vice president of on-board services at Delta. “This gives customers another way to personalize their journey and helps ensure their culinary experience onboard is like dining at their favorite local restaurant.”
Main Cabin passengers on international flights will see enhancements as well. As early as November, new menu cards will include detailed information about service timing and food and beverage offerings. Upgraded cutlery will be introduced in December, and long-haul international flights will receive improved meals and new serviceware early next year.
“This is one of Delta’s largest investments in the Main Cabin dining experience to date,” Bauer added. “People eat with their eyes, so improving serviceware and cutlery to enhance presentation and functionality is an important part of our culinary strategy. Customers also asked for more visibility into when and what they will be served, so we created customer experience menu cards to provide that information. With these changes, passengers can relax and enjoy their flight without wondering when the next service will happen.”
In addition to dining improvements, Delta is upgrading pillows in the Main Cabin and Delta Comfort+ on international long-haul routes.
Delta’s Airbus A350 fleet will also expand its route network. Effective March 31, the A350 will begin operating between Detroit (DTW) and Amsterdam (AMS), marking the aircraft’s first trans-Atlantic service. On April 19, the A350 will join the Detroit–Shanghai (PVG) route.
“The A350 on one of four daily Delta flights between Detroit and Amsterdam will be a great asset because of its enhanced customer experience and operating efficiencies,” said Dwight James, senior vice president, trans-Atlantic, Delta. “Amsterdam is our largest European hub, and we’re pleased that Delta customers and those of our joint venture partner, KLM, will be able to enjoy a refreshed Delta inflight experience between Europe and the United States.”
These combined updates—expanded meal pre-selection, upgraded Main Cabin dining and serviceware, improved comfort items, and broader deployment of the A350—reflect Delta’s continued focus on customer choice and comfort across its long-haul international network.