Delta overhauls the premium economy experience with revamped onboard service
Delta Air Lines is putting the premium in its Premium Select offering.
On Tuesday, the Atlanta-based carrier unveiled an overhauled onboard service experience for those flying in the airline's premium economy cabin on long-haul flights.
The highlights include a revamped dining experience, new amenity kits and upgraded bedding.
The first aspect of the updated service begins Sept. 20, when Delta debuts new menus and refreshed tableware.
Delta highlighted several of the new entree choices, including:
- Braised beef short rib with fingerling potatoes and Dijon green peppercorn jus.
- Impossible Meatballs with polenta, pomodorini sauce and broccolini.
- Honey harissa chicken thighs with jollof rice and stewed greens.
Meals will be served on bagasse plates, which are made from plant fiber. Real silverware, glassware and linens will accompany the food.
Delta will also add a new "bubbles and bites" course — which consists of sparkling wine, water and an amuse-bouche — to be served after takeoff.
Beginning in October, the airline will debut new amenity kits designed and created by Someone Somewhere — the same company that's now providing kits in Delta One.
At launch, Someone Somewhere will provide three designs for these "goodie bags," one of which will be pink to honor Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
These pouches are handmade by artisans in Mexico, and each kit tells the story of the artisan who crafted it. Inside, you'll find travel essentials from Grown Alchemist, such as lip balm, eye masks and dental kits.
Other premium amenities — including a memory-foam pillow, noise-canceling headsets and plush blankets made from recycled materials — will also be available on all long-haul Premium Select flights.
While we'll have to wait to judge the new meals and upgraded amenities on a future trip, it's great to see Delta investing in the premium economy experience.
The airline has been chasing premium revenue in recent years, retrofitting much of its long-haul fleet with Premium Select cabins in a bid to offer an intermediate product between lie-flat business class and standard economy.
Premium economy has become an increasingly important revenue stream for U.S. airlines, and Delta's revamped service is poised to become one of the best in the country.
The move will be especially exciting for frequent flyers, particularly those who've traveled with Delta during the COVID-19 pandemic.
That's because the airline significantly scaled back the onboard service in Premium Select for much of the pandemic. The meal offerings were largely the same as those in the economy cabin.
Upgrading the Premium Select experience comes as the carrier increases the cabin's footprint on more and more routes.
Going forward, the airline says that most flights to Europe, including all routes to Amsterdam and London, will feature Premium Select. This winter, Delta will operate nearly 400 weekly Premium Select flights to Europe. All transpacific routes will feature premium economy, too.
In addition to the upgraded service offerings, Premium Select flyers will enjoy larger recliners that resemble those in domestic first class with some additional bells and whistles, such as a leg rest and footrest.
Each seat features a personal entertainment monitor, as well as an oversize tray table and USB and universal power ports.
For those looking to splurge without breaking the bank for a business-class pod, Delta Premium Select might be the way to go.
As Mauricio Parise, vice president of brand experience, said in a statement, "Delta Premium Select sits at the intersection of luxury and practicality – giving customers the opportunity to treat themselves to a more spacious seat and premium experience at a lower price point compared to our Delta One cabin."
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 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. |
| 5X | New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Valuable dining and food-related credits
- Flexible rewards with airline and hotel transfer partners
- Multiple travel and purchase protections
- No foreign transaction fees
- Access to Amex Offers for additional savings (enrollment required)
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 $8,000 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.
- New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- Pay It® lets you tap in the American Express® App to quickly pay for small purchase amounts throughout the month and still earn rewards the way you usually do. Plan It® gives you the option to split up big purchases into equal monthly payments with a fixed fee. You’ll know upfront exactly how much you’ll pay.
- Updated! $120 Dining Credit: Earn up to a total of $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the Gold Card at Grubhub (including Seamless), Buffalo Wild Wings, Five Guys, The Cheesecake Factory, and Wonder. This can be an annual savings of up to $120. Enrollment required.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants after you pay for eligible purchases with the American Express® Gold Card. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: Earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin’ locations. Enrollment required.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Enjoy up to $120 in Uber Cash annually with your Gold Card. Just add your Card to your Uber account and you'll get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
- New! As an American Express® Gold Card Member, you can enjoy complimentary Hertz Five Star® Status. Enjoy benefits like skipping the counter at select locations, adding an additional driver at no additional cost*, and vehicle upgrades**. Benefit enrollment and Hertz Gold+ registration are required. *Additional drivers must meet standard rental qualifications and must be a spouse or domestic partner to qualify as complimentary. Other additional drivers subject to fees. **Benefits are subject to availability and vary by location. Additional Hertz program Terms and Conditions including age restrictions apply.
- Take advantage of a $100 credit towards eligible charges* at over 1,300 upscale hotels worldwide when you book The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App **. *Eligible charges vary by property. **The Hotel Collection requires a two-night minimum stay.
- Book your travel through the Amex Travel App with added peace of mind – backed by American Express® service and support. Only for American Express® Card Members.
- Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.