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Delta is resuming 3-course meals, with ice cream sundaes, in business class

March 04, 2022
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3 min read
Delta Retrofitted Airbus A330-300 Delta One Premium Select Comfo
Delta is resuming 3-course meals, with ice cream sundaes, in business class
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The days of being served a one-course meal in international business class are coming to an end.

Delta Air Lines is restoring its "normal," pre-pandemic catering offering to its signature long-haul Delta One experience beginning on Tuesday, March 15, a carrier spokesperson confirmed to TPG.

Once the revamped service concept is rolled out, those seated in the pointy end of the plane will enjoy an expanded selection of pre-departure beverages, including sparkling wine, orange juice and beer. In fact, the airline touts that customers can create a mimosa by combining the OJ and sparkling wine.

After takeoff, the meal service will consist of three courses. A round of drinks will be served alongside "cocktail bites," which will be delivered just before your appetizer. Then, you'll get a pick of entrees, followed by dessert.

(Photo by Zach Griff/The Points Guy)

As part of the move, Delta is bringing back its signature dessert service, which includes a choice of plated options, like a cake or brownie, or a create-your-own ice cream sundae bar.

Delta will present the meal options on a digital menu that's accessible via a QR code.

At the outset, the Atlanta-based carrier is rolling out the revamped service to the Delta One cabin on long-haul flights. Hopefully, it'll soon expand the offerings to its premium transcontinental routes between New York and Boston and both Los Angeles and San Francisco.

The news of Delta restoring pre-pandemic service levels in long-haul business class comes as the airline is once again offering plated, hot meals in domestic first-class cabins on select flights.

Related: Behind the scenes of how Delta’s inflight meals are prepared

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While the hot food rollout began on March 1 with domestic flights longer than 1,500 miles, the airline isn’t committing to a firm timeline of when it’ll be completed. The latest plan calls for first-class passengers on routes 900 miles and longer to enjoy hot food options onboard by the end of April 2022.

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(Photo by Zach Griff/The Points Guy)
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As for long-haul service, Delta is playing catch-up with one of its biggest competitors. American Airlines has been serving multi-course meals since last year in its international business-class cabin. This includes separate courses for the appetizer, entree and dessert.

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(Photo by Zach Griff/The Points Guy)
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Meanwhile, United Airlines is still serving the entire Polaris meal service on one tray. This includes an entree, salad, bread and mixed nuts, along with a sealed, single-serve ice cream cup for dessert.

Recent reports have suggested that United is piloting a revamped business-class service flow, but no details have been announced publicly.

Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

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  • Intro Offer

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  • Annual Fee

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  • Recommended Credit

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Why We Chose It

There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)

Pros

  • 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
  • 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
  • Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
  • Solid welcome bonus

Cons

  • Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
  • Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
  • You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
  • $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
  • $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
  • $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
  • Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $325.
  • Terms Apply.