Delta Air Lines has announced an interior cabin refresh. They’re tying this to their 100 year anniversary, presenting a new more modern image. The palette is darker. They won’t swap out seats, just add memory foam padding to some seats. And they’re adding new lighting. Naturally this is pitched as being “premium” and a new interior, to most passengers, feels like new planes.

Key Design Elements

Delta’s new cabin interiors are characterized by deeper shades of blue and grey, with red accents. Royal blue leather seats will be replaced by a darker navy blue, complemented by grey stitching and red trim throughout all classes.

Delta is also rolling decorative motifs like the “Infinite Grid” and “Celestial Sky” patterns that will adorn bulkheads, dividers, and lavatories.

Lighting and Ambiance

Delta’s cabin refresh includes mood lighting designed for various phases—boarding, dining, and sleeping-shifting through warm tones for boarding and meals, while a “sunset glow” is meant to ease passengers into rest during overnight flights. As dawn approaches, the cabin lighting will gradually brighten.

Credit: Delta

Lavatories will be refreshed with bright walls, the signature “Celestial Sky” pattern, and Azure Blue cabinets. Flooring will be updated to improve appearance of cleanliness and traction. The lavs are still tiny though!

Credit: Delta

Memory Foam and Seating Upgrades

Delta is not introducing new seats. Instead, memory foam cushions will be installed across some seats, from domestic first class to the long-haul economy.

Credit: Delta

Delta One business class seats, traditionally covered in leather, will instead see a wool-nylon blend which the airline says is better at temperature regulation.

Credit: Delta

Premium Select and domestic-style first-class cabins will also benefit from this memory foam change.

Credit: Delta

Timeline for Implementation

The first Boeing 757 with the refreshed cabin design is expected to begin flying domestic and short-haul international routes later this year.

Early next year, the updated interior will make its debut on an Airbus A350 serving long-haul international routes.

Beyond that, Delta has not provided a detailed timeline for retrofitting the rest of its fleet, except to say they will do it gradually and over a period of years, subject to delays for operational needs (they don’t want a bunch of aircrafts out of service for this).

Lipstick On A Pig?

Darker tones and modern design do seem sleek and elegant, but also lack the distinctiveness that previously set Delta apart – seemingly generic in appearance along the lines of Air Canada and Air France cabins.

Is the new color scheme better than the current blue?

It’s far from clear how memory foam and breathable fabrics will translate into comfort. You may see this as a new investment in the product, but it’s also a cheaper approach compared to actually replacing seats. No matter how many times Delta repeats the word ‘premium’ in its marketing of this refresh that will take many years, any issues with service, wifi and inflight meals remain.

Ultimately I’ll have to see it in person, and sit in the seats for several hours, to have a fully-developed opinion of what the airline announced today.