Thanks to leaks from aviation watchdog JonNYC, we’re getting a pretty complete picture of Delta’s plans to totally revamp its onboard business class product next year.
They’re planning big upgrades to premium meals (including dessert cart), wines, and service under a ‘distinctively Delta’ branding.
A premium offering from Delta will include having entrees plated in the air and more of an investment in what’s being served, from higher quality ingredients to more frequent menu changes and even a better wine program.
Delta is also planning new bedding from Missoni and cuddle pillows; better headphones; expanded pre-select meal offerings. This is all likely to come with a round of flight attendant training on the new products and elevated service standards. Bedding is something they’ve been working on since 2021.
JonNYC continues to share additional details of the business class revamp at Delta:
and, yes, mattress pads– expansion to all of Delta One is on the to-do list (which could certainly change) for middle of 2025– right around the time the Missoni-branded. bedding is introduced
— JonNYC (@xjonnyc.bsky.social) November 29, 2024 at 10:52 PM
Delta has determined that the single most valuable amenity to add to its business class cabin is a mattress pad, which they currently offer on flights at least 6,000 miles long. We should see their transpacific mattress pad added to the transatlantic business clss cabin next year along with the phased roll-in of bedding; cuddle pillow (at least for long haul transpacific); new eye mask, slippers and socks; and refreshed amenity kit.
It’s possible that not everything in the planned business class refresh makes it into the final offering, since JonNYC is leaking plans that haven’t all been funded yet, but the airline is responding to plummeting customer satisfaction scores with their transatlantic business class product – down 28% compared to five years ago.
And they’re doing this in advance of ‘unbundling’ business class in 2026, stripping benefits from its lowest business class fares and offering premium buy up options to business class customers, under the rubric of “good/better/best” offerings instead of treating all business class customers to the same product. In the future, you might buy a business class ticket from Delta and have to check in with economy passengers, get turned away at the lounge and pay for checked bags – unless you spend for a bundle that includes those things.
Unfortunately, Delta will still be flying the worst widebody business class seats across the Atlantic of any major airline – U.S. or European – on its Boeing 767s so net promoter scores are likely to continue to suffer at the airline.
The bedding needs to be wrapped in plastic or come in a cloth bag. They seldom provision extra bedding in the event there was dirty bedding catered, etc. If the bedding isn’t wrapped, it’s going to get dirty.
Lay it on us, Delta. Unbundle, as you wish. I’m ready. Pick my Delta One seat? Pay extra. Want a choice of dessert? Extra. Onboard massage? EXTRA. These aren’t bribes. They’re gratuities. Now we all get to feel like oligarchs… if we pay up.
“with a round of flight attendant training” is at least better than the AA just-close -the-door-and-you’ll-figure-it-out approach to training.
@ Gary — If status doesn’t provide the unbudled benefits for free, Delta is going to just drive away more angry long-term customers. Their greed seems to know no end.
It’s nice to see them playing catch-up to market leader United.
Delta has fallen way behind. I intentionally book AF or KLM to get away from their uncomfortable pleather seats on TATL flights. A mattress pad, though nice, should be expected at a J price point. It’s past time to retire/refurb the ancient interiors on their 763 product.
stripping benefits from its lowest business class fares and offering premium buy up options to business class customers, under the rubric of “good/better/best” offerings instead of treating all business class customers to the same product.
Premium now means price gouging your most loyal customers.
Can’t wait to see how Delta Diamonds will react after getting a room temperature bottled water upon boarding for a TATL business basic fare without club access, free drinks and even fewer SkyMiles earned.
None of this will matter much as long as the awful 767 hard product is allowed to stay. It’s extremely uncomfortable relative to other J hard products.
It would seem that virtually all of the amenities that Delta plans to withhold in their “Good-Better-Best” strategy are zero-cost on the margin: Granting or not granting them has absolutely zero impact on their cost of operations. It would also seem that virtually 100 % of passengers in the position to purchase Business Class seating know this. As long as Capitalism and Competition in the Airline Industry exists, about the only logical conclusion is that Delta is going to regret this bone-headed move.
I’ve been a Diamond Medallion for 10+ years. Traveling to Scandinavia this Summer and decided to book first class on SAS at 60% of the Delta price and the US legs are on Delta. Hard to justify Delta prices anymore. My last first class flight had a breakfast offering of a cheese box or cheerios. Heading to Greece next Fall and will be shopping every major carrier. Delta has lost my allegiance.
Another Premium Delta Disaster.
I’m sure I’m not alone. I do 4 or 5 round-trip transatlantic trips every year in business. I’m a diamond and million miler. With one exception when I flew Delta from Frankfurt to Detroit, I’ve only flown Delta once in five years. Air France is always my first choice. Way better food and way better wine. Delta has a better pillow and blanket. That’s the only thing they do better. While Air France’s bedding is bad, they always have sufficient extra. So, I can get two pillows and two blankets. Delta never caters extra bedding. But the lavatories are bigger on Air France. So, I can comfortably change into pajamas. Air France has true first-class. So I don’t expect Air France business-class to be a replacement for first. Delta doesn’t have real first, even though it pretends Delta One is first. So, Delta One falls short of expectations for the price, the marketing, and for the fact that this is Delta’s best product.
United also sorely needs to make improvements to its catering. The first step would be to restore the Polaris soft product to when it was first launched.
As others have commented, Delta’s hard product is the shortcoming. Soft product enhancements don’t move the needle. Whether transcon or international, other airlines have superior offerings.
Bring back the hot towels, please.
@FNT – I was wondering about the bedding, too, especially when it comes to bed bugs, etc. Is it washed between uses with Clorox and hot water? Right now, just sounding really gross.
Is the bedding washed for germs and bed bugs???? My first long flight.
EF Delta. Nickle and dime us to death.
I speak from experience, as I am in the travel industry…no one will pay attention to a ‘Basic business class fare’ with just the seat and no perks. This will just make everyone crazy because they DON’T pay attention and will rage when they can’t get into the lounge or have a meal.
Way to go Delta….make your employees more insane than they already are.
Delta is no better than the other 2 US carriers….AT ALL. It just goes to show you, whatever you cram down people’s throats, they’ll buy it.