Delta upgrades international economy and business class service

Delta Airlines - Skyteam - USA

In a rare move among airlines worldwide, as airlines focus on economy for economy class passengers, Delta has announced an upgrade of its international coach class service:

"Beginning July 1, customers seated in the coach cabin on most of Delta’s international flights will receive printed menus; a complimentary choice of cocktail, including the new Mile High Mojito or Mango Kiss, beer or wine during the main in-flight meal service; and a mid-flight snack. Later this fall Delta will provide coach customers with their own personal amenity kit that will include eyeshades and ear plugs for a more relaxing flight. Also, more customers are already enjoying more comfortable all-leather seats in coach class as the airline continues refurbishing its international aircraft interiors."

So a catering upgrade and amenity kit, with refurbished seats. A tremendous step forward, which hopefully other US carriers will follow. The poor reputation of US carrier international economy class, with alcoholic drinks being charged for, might be taking a tentative step forward. Delta detailed the new midflight snack:

Delta’s new mid-flight snack service will offer customers:
On flights from the United States to Europe, a choice of grilled cheese crackers, peanuts, Biscoff cookies and Sunchips®;
On flights from Europe to the United States, a vanilla ice cream cup; and
On flights to and from India, a choice of Toblerone chocolates, shortbread cookies, nuts or snack mix

Previously Delta announced an upgrade of Business Elite Class (Delta has no international first class product) as follows:

These in-flight upgrades complement Delta’s introduction of an improved international BusinessElite® experience with more comfortable all-leather seats, digital on-demand entertainment at every seat, and a new personal dining experience on select international flights created exclusively for BusinessElite customers by celebrity chef Michelle Bernstein. In addition, all international customers can check-in using new self-service kiosk technology with passport scanning capability at Delta’s Atlanta, Cincinnati and New York-JFK international gateways.

Delta's BusinessElite seats remain cradle seats of the 1990s (pictured), so are rather behind world class standard in 2006. This is a shame, since both United and American have announced upgrades to their international business class seating, Delta has a chance to be better than its two big US rivals. However, nice to see service being improved with AVOD and better catering. Delta is also providing hot food in lounges, which is something rare in European airline lounges. US carriers are typically well behind the world in seating and service, on the service front it looks like Delta is coming closer to the world standard. It's a shame that seating is still two generations behind the best in business class, as most business travellers at the end of the day, pay for the seat more than anything else. While that is the case, it is unlikely to get a 4 star Skytrax ranking.

Delta upgrades International Coach class service

Delta new BusinessElite experience