News and notes from around the interweb:
- This release about new meals from José Andrés is exactly what’s wrong with Delta Air Lines. They’re a pretty good airline. Their crews are marginally friendlier than at most U.S. airlines. They’re a little more operationally reliable. But they’re way off the charts on on bullcrap meter.
It’s not enough for them to make improvements, they have to claim those improvements are the most innovative thing that’s ever existence since the earth first cooled. They make announcements of partnerships that don’t have details yet (and haven’t even been signed) from The Sphere in Las Vegas during the Computer Electronics Show. They just come across as smug and smarmy. Hence with their new José Andrés meals:
“Delta is once again redefining the onboard dining experience with its newest culinary collaboration…”
“Delta is a curator of taste experiences. Just like we lead in operational reliability, we are on the leading edge of culinary innovation — offering delicious meals that build a sense of connection to the world we serve while reflecting culture, craft and care.”
“Delta has been quietly transforming its in-flight dining into something that feels more like a restaurant experience than any other, standard airplane meal — not just serving meals but serving moments.”
“Delta’s culinary strategy isn’t just about providing sustenance — it’s about delighting customers. By partnering with chefs like Andrés, the airline is doubling down on its identity as a premium lifestyle brand with purpose.”
“These new offerings are more than just meals — they’re a celebration of flavor, culinary excellence and storytelling, which is something Delta is increasingly weaving into its onboard experience.”
Delta just can’t help themselves. They do need to improve their food (American’s and especially Alaska’s are reliably better). And José Andrés attaching his name to the effort simultaneously raises my estimate of the food Delta will put out, and lowers my expectation for the quality associated with José Andrés (since he’s willing to attach his name to Delta’s food).
- 25% bonus on Chase transfers to Southwest through November 6, 2025. Not something I’d generally do, but got to see because I don’t ever recall a Southwest transfer bonus before.
Paired with Southwest status and statement credits bundled as a spending threshold benefit on Chase Reserve this tells me that Southwest is more aggressively monetizing the program across the board, as they look for revenue anywhere they can find it.
- The AT&T sponsorship has to have something for AT&T in it, so nothing surprising here. A little annoying though. I may be the only person who prefers the current paid wifi to everyone getting it free, since American’s wifi generally works pretty well and I’m worried about service degradation once usage spikes with free. Plus I’ll have to pay with my attention before logging in to work.
For AA free wifi, I get the sense; Advantage members will have to watch an ad for each flight. Each new flight new ad. The advantage account member must be on the flight otherwise it will not work. Names must match.
— JonNYC (@xJonNYC) October 23, 2025
- New U.S. resident Singapore AIrlines KrisFlyer members earn 50% bonus miles on flights when they join and book by November 26, and travel through March 31, 2026.
- The U.K. had a woman (Margaret Thatcher) serving as Prime Minister!
- Hyatt acquired Standard International which included Bunkhouse hotels and… a seven store coffee chain. The iconic 41-room 1930s-era motor lodge with neon sign Austin Motel is right next to the most famous (“I love you so much”) Jo’s Coffee, and…
The [Globalist] breakfast benefit was a coupon to take next door to Jo’s, a South Congress staple and photo-op for a long time. The benefit was for any drink and food item, which for me included a signature coffee drink and two breakfast tacos.
Parking is free, regardless of status.
In fairness to Jose Andres, the guy founded a remarkable charity – World Central Kitchen – and got Delta to donate gobs of money to World Central Kitchen as a corporate donor. So the naming rights on certain Delta meals I am sure is a quid pro quo for him here to get more Delta money for charity (and, sure, himself too). Like any chef brand, there’s the very good (The Bazaar in DC is an amazing restaurant), the pretty good (Capital One Landings!) and the… uh… whatever average food Delta is going to serve with his name on it (the recipes might be OK, who knows!).
As for Southwest transfer bonus, can still get 1.5cpp with your CSR points through October 2027 (and make sure to transfer your non-CSR points over to your CSR like today). But as Chase continues to lean in to Southwest, I really continue to wonder if United is “in play” for 2029 and if they end up with C1. Long time from now, but who knows.
Sounds like it was written by someone we all know.
Bow to the delta gods
The only premium carrier in the world
I can’t wait to try the identical Delta First short-rib, but marketed as ‘by celebrity chef José Andrés.’ *facepalm*
(Still better than the FILTH they serve on United and American.)
JetBlue Mint still has the best food of any US carrier. ‘Prove me wrong.’ RIP.
@ Gary — American’s food is better than Delta’s? You can’t be serious.
@Gary Leff — Nothing on Alaska Air’s major IT outage within the last 12ish hours? Nothing like Delta’s Crowdstrike, or Southwest’s 2022 outages, but, still…
Delta runs daily commercial on our ATL local 95.5 WSB (“Welcome South, Boys”) radio station, which starts: “No flight is just a flight…”. It’s annoying, since it IS just a freaking flight, nothing more, in a cramped seat, usually with no food. But it’s also presumptuous as hell. And I have to hear it every day, since DL sponsors UGA football and its Coach Kirby Smart.
Delta has such a Premium meal experience you can now order any one of its new reheated “culinary innovation” main courses (offered on flights over 2,300 miles) at fine restaurants everywhere. Not.
Delta is a premium airline like Southwest is a low cost airline. Hype.
Consider it a nice donation to the World Central Kitchen through the Andres Group. The chef himself will be running for congress as an independent. He is a good man.
Re-defining dining? How about bring back the salads (non D1) instead of bread, bread, and more bread/carbs?
No hot towels, no warm nuts either.
We get it, Gary. You glaze AA and hate Delta.
Oooo Tim Dunn is not gonna like this post…
I can’t believe I’ve read all the previous commentary and NOT ONE came from Mr Dunn.
American’s food is fine. It’s in flight crew is entitled and distant. Fix the crew, fix the airline.
@Joe C- that’s funny.
Kirby at United makes plenty of crazed assertions all the time as well. Delta is unfortunately not such an outlier.
Joe C,
DL has never gotten most or even many of the bloggers in their back pocket; apparently they, and corporate America that spends more money on DL than any other US airline, and maybe any in the world, know what matters and what doesn’t.
Delta is blowing and has blown away food on the ground with SkyClubs and the Delta One lounges precisely because no one expects that food in the air can ever be as good as on the ground.
Delta overhypes and over promises, so they never meet my expectations. Seats are still dirty and they still don’t provide any type of service that feels premium.
@Gennady Close but not quite. Actually, WSB is “Welcome South, Brother” My Grandfather drove his Ford Model T up Stone Mountain.
@Tim Dunn — Is that you, or an impersonator? Because, I wouldn’t have expected you to say “Delta is blowing…”
DL likes to talk about how they are building stories, not just travel. How’s this for a story:
1. Same meal in D1 to and from Europe (and it was crap)
2. “Coursing” the meals consisted of dropping my appetizers down and then five minutes later having a FA hover over me while I rearranged the plates on my tray to accommodate the main course when I had only taken two bites of my appetizer.
3. D1 seats uncomfortable AF. No cushioning.
4. Door to my suite non-functional.
Either DL is on the down slide or my idea of what constitutes premium does not align with DL’s. DL claims they are providing a Ritz-Carlton experience when they deliver an experience more akin to a Marriott.
@Parker
The main goal of US flight attendants on a long haul service is to serve drinks, meals, drinks, pickup then lights out as fast as they can so they can have their free time / rest time. Those intl F/A’s really move fast as soon as the pilots chime them to get up, unlike domestic service where many times in coach it is one hour plus before you see them serving.
@Parker — Within the context of your analogy, Delta very much is the Ritz-Carlton of airlines (recall that RC is Marriott-affiliated, after all); you just may have Four Seasons expectations. Either way, as Ben recently said, it’s all “McDonald’s for rich people.”
@DSK – you maybe right, though I think I heard/read it both ways – “boys” and “brother”.
Considering it’s > 100 yrs old, it’s cute, imo.
Southwest is looking a tad desperate for revenue these days. I wonder how bad the numbers will need to get before Southwest reverses funds expiration and reduces bag fees.
@1990 you know I love ya, but if you think DL is Ritz-Carlton level service we need to have a drink and chat. While under the Marriott umbrella of chains, Ritz-Carlton and DL are in entirely different leagues. The closest RC-esque airlines are Qatar, Singapore…you know, the good ones. DL has lost its luster since the pandemic.
Gennady: From a native Atlantan whose parents knew most of the executives with the broadcaster, WSB’s motto is “Welcome South Brother” not “boys”
@1990 – I think he meant to say that Delta blows.