Delta Air Lines has put improvements to its business class product on hold because of Trump’s tariff uncertainty, as reported by aviation watchdog JonNYC.
Narrator: "..everything did -not- go according to plan.."
New D1 bedding, mattress pad expansion delayed till ,TBD — at earliest 2H of 2025, but TBD, really.
Tariff exposure explicitly mentioned.
— JonNYC (@xjonnyc.bsky.social) April 24, 2025 at 9:39 PM
Delta was expected to start offering its new bedding and a mattress pad on shorter distance long haul flights in business class in early May. That’s been delayed because the cost of the Missoni products becomes prohibitive under the new tariff regime. Tentatively this is put off to some time in the second half of the year, pending developments in tariffs (and, perhaps, depending on how the economy and demand for long haul business class develops thanks to those same tariffs).
The airline’s plan for the year has been new bedding from Missoni and cuddle pillows; better headphones; expanded pre-select meal offerings and flight attendant training on elevated service as well as improved bubbles.
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. Their transpacific mattress pad was planned as an add to the transatlantic business class cabin along with the phased roll-in of new bedding plus new eye mask, slippers and socks; and refreshed amenity kit.
This is all aimed at boosting customer satisfaction scores which have plunged for the Delta One product 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.
made in china. it’s just brand.
‘Elect a clown, expect a circus.’ I’ve always enjoyed that one. It’s appropriate for here.
#45/47’s tariffs will harm all of us directly and indirectly. It’s just a question of whether the propaganda and scapegoating will be effective enough to distract you so that you blame someone else but Him. It’s Him though. After all, ‘he alone can fix it.’
@Don G — Nah, it’s the hypocrisy. I know, y’all have alternative facts, and no shame, but still…
The pillow and blanket in the photo look like the old fake Westin bedding. Just a different name. They couldn’t get them made in America? I’m sure the My Pillow Guy would have taken the contract.
@FNT Delta Diamond — I hear you, but Lindell is dealing with a lot right now, between his frivolous lawsuits, and audits, even though he is a ‘friend’ of the regime, apparently. Besides, I’m not sure Delta would want to drag down their brand with that guy… Yeesh.
DL will operate less than 10 767-300ER flights/day across the Atlantic this summer. The rest of the fleet will be deployed on Hawaii and US transcon flights.
UA will operate far more narrowbody aircraft including 737s and 757s that do not even have direct aisle lie flat access in business class.
and the 767 seat in economy is far more comfortable than AA or UA’s 787 or 777 seats
Yes, adding amenities to DL will have to get sorted out by the tariffs
and speaking of tariffs, one US airline – not DL – said they expect the supplier to pay the tariffs on aircraft. Good luck w/ that.
@Tim Dunn — And those 767-300ER aren’t as bad as folks say. I was originally critical, but I’ve taken enough of them over the years (across the Atlantic and between JFK-SFO). It’s a sweet spot for RUCs and GUCs. As a Platinum or Diamond, you can purchase Main, confirm DeltaOne for maximum value. Now, all that’s from a frequent flyer viewpoint. However, if you were purchasing the seat for cash (or via your employer), I’d suggest a different aircraft. Like, if it’s JFK-PRG, you’re out of luck, because the 763 with the old DeltaOne is the only option. But for CDG or LHR, etc., you can find newer aircraft a350s, or on SkyTeam partners, 787s, etc. Just depends what folks are going for.
As to your comments about that airline, expecting the supplier to pay tariffs… “Delusional! Get (them) to the infirmary!” (HBO’s Chernobyl reference)
@1990 Manufacture textiles in Bangladesh, Vietnam, India or El Salvador and pay the 10% tariff. If you want to support a Chinese regime that is intent on taking Tawain, supports North Korea, and constantly steals US IP, good luck with that. Every President has had the opportunity to work toward restoring US manufacturing jobs and hasnt done anything about it.
As to the my pillow guy, had to laugh out loud. Any company that does business with that brand buys a lot of negative publicity. There’s a good reason that nutcase is bankrupt.
From search, it looks like the tariff would be 20% on luxury products from Italy. The company is small so it probably doesn’t produce them in house. They would produce them elsewhere from cheaper labor. The only thing another company couldn’t produce at the same level of manufacture is the name. It seems that Delta wants a talking point instead of an upgraded experience for their customers who are willing to pay for more expensive seats.
@jns — I don’t think you really understand what makes folks love Delta; it’s their company culture; it ain’t just the seats, and nearly all their seats, even the old ones, are just fine.
Since I know your post history on here, I’ll address the bigger issue here. There really is a Red Scare equivalent against perceived enemies by the right against the left, deemed ‘woke’ or ‘DEI’ or whatever, these days.
As it relates to the airlines and the industry, Delta stands out because it actually lives, breathes, and feels diverse, equitable, and inclusive, which is a GOOD thing.
Most people are waking up and realizing that they’ve been conned by right-wing extremist propaganda, otherwise known as ‘lies,’ and that it’s not nefarious groups of vulnerable people harming them. Nope. It’s greed. It’s corruption. And it’s coming from the top.
Companies, like Delta, that have consistently treat their people and customers better are going to win big. No company is perfect, but Delta is simply better than nearly all the US-carriers in most contexts.