Name: Marc Ferguson
Title: General manager, Delta Sky Club Experience
Company, city: Delta Air Lines; Atlanta, Ga.
Number of employees: More than 80,000
Recent project: Launch of our third Asanda Spa Lounge, in our Delta Sky Club at ATL
First job: Retail manager at Federated Department Stores (Rich’s, now Macy’s)
Little-known fact about you: I swam in the U.S. Olympic Trial in 1988 in Austin, Texas.
Your Business
What innovations/initiatives do you foresee in the industry over the next years? Personalization and flexibility are reshaping travel, particularly in airport lounges. Guests increasingly expect spaces that adapt to their needs — whether they want to socialize, work, rest or refresh. We’re designing Club layouts with distinct zones and curated experiences so travelers can tailor their visit to match mood and schedule.
Best career advice you’ve received: Early in my career I learned a simple truth: love what you do and it won’t feel like work. That mindset has guided every choice I’ve made and keeps me focused on purpose and people.
What advice would you give someone starting out in the field? I encourage new hires at Delta to rotate through as many departments as possible. Exposure to different parts of the business builds context and empathy, and that broader perspective enables you to have greater impact on the customer experience and on organizational decisions.
Marc Ferguson as a Traveler
Favorite travel memory or story: One of my most vivid travel memories is a safari in Kenya about eight years ago — it was inspiring to see wildlife and landscape up close and to experience a culture so different from my own.
One travel tip you cannot live without: Do your homework on the destination, but leave room for spontaneity. Planning helps you make the most of your time, and flexibility lets you discover unexpected opportunities.
Best advice for business travelers: Prioritize hydration and travel light. Staying well-rested and packing efficiently makes business trips more productive and less stressful.
About Delta Air Lines
What has recently been announced with Delta Sky Club? We recently opened our third Asanda Spa Lounge in the Delta Sky Club at ATL’s Terminal E, joining locations at JFK and SEA. The spa offers short massages and facials, retail purchases via credit card or SkyMiles, and a meditation program developed with Dr. Deepak Chopra tailored for travelers. Earlier this year we partnered with French pastry chef Pierre Hermé to bring his macarons and chocolates to our JFK Club, which guests have enjoyed. Looking ahead, new Delta Sky Clubs scheduled to open in 2019 in Austin and Phoenix will reflect local food and art to give each location a distinct, regional character.
Tell our readers about the food and beverage offerings available at Delta Sky Clubs. Our culinary approach emphasizes fresh, local and seasonal ingredients. The SkyBowl, a build-your-own bowl concept now available in 20 Clubs, lets guests customize meals from seasonal options so they can choose healthier or more indulgent combinations. Across Clubs we spotlight seasonal items and global flavors, and in markets like Seattle we collaborate with local chefs such as Ethan Stowell to create menus that celebrate the city’s palate and producers.
CLEAR members with a Delta Sky Club membership can use their fingerprints to enter some clubs now. Tell us about this and other new technology coming to the Clubs. At Reagan National and Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta, CLEAR members can use biometric check-in to enter Clubs with a fingerprint, eliminating the need to find a boarding pass and speeding arrival. This capability helps ambassadors focus on higher-touch interactions and more complex guest needs while delivering a frictionless entry for members. We’ve also equipped ambassadors with handheld devices to greet and check guests at the door, improving speed and personalized service. We continue to invest in technology that enhances the guest experience and gives our team better tools to serve travelers.