Delta revamps inflight service, brings back buy-on-board products
Delta Air Lines kicked off 2022 by unveiling a revamped onboard experience that doubled down on sustainability.
The Atlanta-based carrier teamed up with a variety of local, diverse brands to bring new bedding, amenity kits and canned wines to the sky.
Now, as the summer travel season gets into full swing, the carrier is once again overhauling the inflight service experience. This time, Delta is changing up the food and drinks it serves flyers with one goal in mind: to highlight small businesses, global suppliers, and woman- and LGBTQ+-led brands.
“We’re always listening to what our customers tell us they’d like to see onboard, and we’re giving them more of what they say they’re craving, while also making an impact in global communities,” Kristen Manion Taylor, senior vice president of inflight service, said in a statement.
We’ll break down each of the new products below.
Food
Buy-on-board returns to coach
At the start of the pandemic, Delta (and its competitors) significantly pulled back their onboard service.
Now, more than two years later, the airline is finally bringing back some elements of the pre-pandemic service. This includes buy-on-board offerings, dubbed "Flight Fuel Plates" and "Flight Fuel snack boxes" that are now rolling out on domestic flights longer than 1,500 miles.
Delta will offer a fruit and cheese plate, and a chicken salad croissant sandwich as "Flight Fuel Plates." Each costs $12.
The airline is refreshing its snack boxes, too. There will be two snack boxes available for purchase for $10 each. One is a Mediterranean-inspired "Market" box featuring hummus with pita chips, dried fruit and pitted green olives, and the other is a "Bistro" box with some sweets and savory items, including potato chips, gummy bears and cookies.
Domestic first-class gets a meal and snack boost
Beginning in July, Delta will once again allow domestic travelers to pre-select their preferred meals, which will include special menu options, such as Kosher and vegetarian.
Earlier this month, Delta brought back pre-departure beverages for those seated in the first-class cabin on all domestic flights.
The airline is also once again serving hot meals — which include seasonal options such as harissa-spiced Impossible burgers and shrimp poke bowls — on those flights.
When the pre-order system goes live in July, you'll be able to see the menu up to five days before your flight.
Best burgers in the sky: We compared inflight hamburgers to see which was the tastiest
Finally, the airline also recently refreshed the snack basket it offers in premium cabins. The new options now include Vego bears, Miss Vickie’s sea salt kettle chips, pistachios (roasted & salted) and Michel et Augustin dark chocolate cookie squares.
2 new snacks for all
Delta is adding two new complimentary snacks on all flights in every cabin.
This includes cheddar-flavored Sunchips and lemon coconut bars from Kate's Real Food, which will be available beginning in August. Delta already partners with the woman-founded Kate's Real Food, and the airline first started serving the company's snacks earlier this year.
Ice cream sundaes are back
When I flew Delta's inaugural flight from Boston to Tel Aviv in May, I was pleased to see that the airline is once again serving create-your-own ice cream sundaes in the business-class cabin.
Now, however, the airline is teaming up with Atlanta-based High Road Craft to serve the company's Vanilla Fleur de Sel ice cream in the Delta One cabin on long-haul flights. Available toppings will include morello cherry compote, chocolate sauce and speculoos cookie crumbles.
Additionally, later this summer, Delta will begin serving a new "Delta Sundae" in all Premium Select, Comfort+ and economy cabins on long-haul international flights. The new sundae will be pre-packaged and feature malt ice cream, speculoos cookies, jammy cherries and fudge caramel.
Drinks
Canned cold brew
You don't often find cold brew coffee in the air, but that's about to change on Delta flights.
The airline is teaming up with LGBTQ+-owned Explorer Cold Brew Company to bring the fan-favorite drink to transcontinental and long-haul Hawaii routes.
Delta offers two-ounce bottles of concentrate complimentary in premium cabins, including Delta One and Comfort+; they're available for purchase for $5 in the main cabin.
You'll need to mix the concentrate with water (it’s not canned ready-to-drink), which allows you to adjust the strength to your taste.
New teas
Speaking of caffeine, Delta is rolling out Thrive Farmers teas across its network. Flyers in all cabins will soon enjoy English breakfast tea, while those seated in Delta One can choose between four additional tea flavors, including Guizhou green, Egyptian chamomile, Pacific peppermint and Earl Grey.
Delta touts that Thrive Farmers' innovative "farmer-direct model gives farmers a true stake in the sale of their product," which allows the producers to invest in their communities and improve environmental practices.
Expanding the alcohol selection
Delta is building on its existing partnerships with Une Femme wines and Tip Top Proper Cocktails to expand the range of liquor options.
Une Femme will soon produce a new sparkling wine for Delta, dubbed "The Betty." The new canned wine, which launches on domestic flights in mid-July, is "a classic, light and versatile Blanc de Blancs with notes of honeysuckle, orange blossom, and Meyer lemon peel," according to Delta. It'll be available for purchase in coach for $10.
Meanwhile, the airline's new canned cocktails will soon be available on long-haul routes for $12 each, after a successful domestic launch last year.
Finally, Delta is now serving Kona Brewing Co.'s Big Wave Golden Air on domestic flights. It's available for purchase for $9 in coach. Alcoholic drinks are complimentary in Comfort+ and first class.
Bottom line
All too often, the inflight service selection gets stale, especially for frequent flyers, so it's great to see Delta refreshing its menus with new snacks and drinks.
As part of the revamp, the airline is also doubling down on its commitment to sourcing from a diverse group of suppliers, including new tie-ups with companies such as Thrive Farmers and Explorer Cold Brew.
Personally, I'm most excited about the new Delta ice cream sundae, which will soon be available on all long-haul flights in all cabins — making for the perfect mid-summer treat during the longest flights.
TPG featured card
Rewards
| 4X | 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. |
| 4X | 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. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
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.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | 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. |
| 4X | 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. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
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.