Delta Air Lines began 2022 by announcing a redesigned onboard experience that prioritised sustainability.
The Atlanta-based airline collaborated with a number of local, diversified firms to deliver new bedding, amenity kits, and canned wines to the skies.
Now that the summer travel season is in full gear, the airline is revamping the inflight service experience once more.
The carrier is changing up the food and drinks it serves flyers this time, but the purpose it set out earlier this year remains the same: to spotlight local businesses, global suppliers, and woman- and LGBTQ+-led brands.
In a statement, Kristen Manion Taylor, senior vice president of inflight service, said, "We're always listening to what our customers say they'd want to see onboard, and we're providing them more of what they say they're desiring, while also making a difference in global communities."
We'll go over each of the new products in detail below.
Food purchased on board is returned to the coach.
Delta (and its competitors) severely reduced onboard service at the start of the epidemic.
After more than two years, the airline is finally bringing back certain pre-pandemic service features.
This includes "Flight Fuel Plates" and "Flight Fuel snack packs," which are now available for purchase on domestic flights of more than 1,500 kilometres.
For $12, Delta will sell "Flight Fuel Plates" that include a fruit and cheese plate and a chicken salad croissant sandwich.
The airline is also updating its snack packs.
For $10, you may buy one of two snack boxes: a Mediterranean-inspired "Market" box with hummus, pita chips, dried fruit, and pitted green olives, or a "Bistro" box with sweets and savoury items including potato chips, gummy bears, and cookies.
Domestic first-class passengers will benefit from an increase in meal and snack options.
Beginning in July, Delta will allow domestic travellers to pre-select their favourite meals, which will include options such as Kosher and vegetarian menus.
Delta reintroduced pre-departure refreshments for first-class passengers on domestic flights of more than 900 miles earlier this month.
On such flights, the airline is also serving hot meals again, including seasonal alternatives like harissa-spiced Impossible burgers and shrimp poke bowls.
You'll be able to see the menu up to five days before your flight when the pre-order system goes online in July.
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Finally, the snack basket offered in premium cabins was recently renovated by the airline.
Vego bears, Miss Vickie's sea salt kettle chips, roasted and salted pistachios, and Michel et Augustin dark chocolate cookie pieces are among the new additions.
Two new refreshments are available for everyone.
On all Delta flights, two new complementary snacks will be available in every cabin.
This includes Kate's Real Food's cheddar-flavored Sunchips and lemon coconut bars, which will be available in August.
Delta already has a partnership with Kate's Real Food, which was created by a woman, and the airline began offering the company's snacks earlier this year.
Sundaes made of ice cream have returned.
I was thrilled to find that Delta is once again providing create-your-own ice cream sundaes in the business-class cabin when I travelled Delta's first flight from Boston to Tel Aviv in May.
The airline is now partnering with Atlanta-based High Road Craft to sell its Vanilla Fleur de Sel ice cream in the Delta One class on long-haul flights.
Morello cherry compote, chocolate sauce, and speculoos biscuit crumbles will be available as toppings.
Delta will also start offering a new "Delta Sundae" in all Premium Select, Comfort+, and economy seats on long-haul international flights later this summer.
Malt ice cream, speculoos cookies, jammy cherries, and fudge caramel will be featured in the new sundae, which will be pre-packaged.
Drinks
Cold brew in cans
Cold brew coffee isn't something you see every day.
On Delta flights, though, this is going to change.
The airline is partnering with the LGBTQ+-owned Explorer Cold Brew Company to deliver the popular beverage to transcon and long-haul Hawaii flights.
These two-ounce cans are provided complimentary in luxury cabins, such as Delta One and Comfort+, and can be purchased for $5 in the main cabin.
Delta is stocking the regular caffeine level onboard Explorer, which comes in a variety of strengths.
New teas have been introduced.
Delta is spreading out Thrive Farmers teas across its network, which are high in caffeine.
English Breakfast tea will soon be available in all cabins, with four additional tea types available in Delta One, including Guizhou green, Egyptian chamomile, Pacific peppermint, and Earl Grey.
Delta praises Thrive Farmers' novel "farmer-direct approach," which allows farmers to engage in their communities and improve environmental standards by giving them a true interest in the sale of their goods.
Increasing the number of alcohol options
Delta is expanding its booze offerings by leveraging current agreements with Une Femme wines and Tip Top Proper Cocktails.
Une Femme will shortly release "The Betty," a new sparkling wine for Delta.
The new canned wine, which will be available on domestic flights starting in mid-July, is described as "a classic, light, and flexible Blanc de Blancs with aromas of honeysuckle, orange flower, and Meyer lemon peel," according to the airline.
It will cost $10 and will be available in coach.
Meanwhile, following a successful domestic introduction last year, the airline's new canned beverages will soon be available on long-haul journeys for $12 each.
Finally, Kona Brewing Co.'s Big Wave Golden Air is now available on Delta's domestic flights.
It may be purchased in coach for $9.
In Comfort+ and first class, alcoholic beverages are complimentary.
Final thoughts
It's fantastic to see Delta refreshing its menus with new snacks and beverages. Inflight service selections may get stale all too quickly, especially for frequent travellers, so it's great to see Delta changing its menus with new snacks and drinks.
The airline is also doubling down on its commitment to procuring from a broad range of vendors as part of the makeover, including new partnerships with Thrive Farmers and Explorer Cold Brew.
Personally, I'm most excited about the new Delta ice cream sundae, which will soon be offered in all cabins on all long-haul flights, providing for the ideal mid-summer treat on even the longest trips.
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